The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) revealed audit findings on Tuesday (September 29) that the Bonghwa County Council in North Gyeongsang Province hired an individual convicted of duty-related corruption as a public official, despite the person being legally barred from public office.

The BAI stated that the Bonghwa County Council appointed "A," who had received a fine in 2023 for duty-related corrupt conduct, as a Grade 7 public official to assist in legislative activities.

At the time, A was barred from working at public institutions under the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Act due to the criminal fine, but the recruitment officer was found to have neglected reviewing the criminal history recorded on A's application and personal background statement.

Bonghwa County was also found to have bypassed investment reviews or failed to implement review results, contrary to relevant regulations, while promoting a project to build tourism infrastructure around the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum.

Consequently, 7.2 billion won was spent inefficiently on expenses including land acquisition and design service contracts.

In addition, the BAI pointed out that Andong City pushed ahead with design service contracts for a project to build a cultural tourism town on the former Andong Station site despite site acquisition remaining uncertain, citing the project being a mayoral campaign pledge.

(Photo courtesy of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Yonhap News)