The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) announced today (October 1) that South Korea was appointed as the 18th chair country of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for the term after next, during the 63rd ASOSAI Governing Board meeting held recently in Astana, Kazakhstan.

This marks the first time in 44 years that South Korea has been appointed to the chairmanship since serving as the second chair in 1982.

Accordingly, the BAI will serve a three-year term starting in 2030, leading cooperation among supreme audit institutions and representing ASOSAI at international bodies such as the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

In addition, it will host the 18th ASOSAI Assembly in Seoul in 2030, which will be attended by the heads of supreme audit institutions from all member nations.

At the assembly, the BAI plans to adopt the "Seoul Declaration," outlining a vision and practical direction for member states to jointly address the climate crisis, and advance it as a key initiative throughout its term.

The BAI explained that during the selection process, Chairman Kim made efforts to foster cooperation with major member nations, including meeting with the heads of audit institutions from eight countries to directly share South Korea's intent and aspirations for serving as chair.

ASOSAI is one of the seven regional working groups of INTOSAI, the umbrella organization for external government audit institutions worldwide, comprising supreme audit institutions from 49 countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, India, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

"The appointment as chair country is an outcome recognizing the BAI's contributions as a founding member of ASOSAI, having steadily advanced the organization's development and enhanced cooperation among member states," the BAI said.

(Photo: Yonhap News)