Board of Audit and Inspection Chief to Resign This Week

Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Jeon Yun-churl is expected to tender his resignation this week to the presidential office.

A high-ranking official said yesterday, “Jeon was reappointed chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection for a four-year term in October last year. He could serve until July next year, but as the head of the presidential agency, he has decided to leave for a new appointment that fits the Lee Myung-bak administration’s political philosophy.”

“Jeon was going to resign after reporting to the president, but since the main projects that began from the previous administration including inspecting state-owned corporations have been finalized, he decided to make an announcement this week. He decided against postponing a decision, and is considering holding a news conference or discussion.”

A source of the presidential office said, “We have not received his resignation yet.”

Jeon has also served as planning and budget minister and presidential chief of staff under Roh Moo-hyun and finance minister under Kim Dae-Jung.

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo told a questioning session of the government at the National Assembly, “We are checking if the political philosophies of public corporation chiefs appointed by the previous government fit with the new administration. As the new administration came into office, it is right (for them) to ask reappointment.”

Given Jeon’s expected resignation, the presidential office is screening six candidates as his replacement, including former Justice Minister Song Jeong-ho and screening committee chairman of the ruling Grand National Party Ahn Kang-min.

Confirmation hearings and approval of Jeon’s successor are possible after June, when the 18th National Assembly will start. A board director will take over on an interim basis after Jeon’s resignation.

The presidential office has retained from the previous administration Prosecutor-General Lim Chae-jin, National Tax Service Commissioner Han Sang-yool and Korean National Police Agency Commissioner-General Eo Cheong-soo.

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