Kang Hoon-sik: "Repeated Audit Issues Must Be Fully Addressed... The Blue House Will Lead Special Efforts"

"Repeated Criticisms Every Year, Indicating Issues Ministries Can't Resolve or Failing to Meet Public Expectations"
On Motorcycle Fines: "Consider Livelihoods and Job Characteristics"... Orders Review of Disaster Response System for Extreme Rainfalls

The Blue House has instructed all ministries to re-examine whether improvements have been made to issues that have been repeatedly raised during previous National Assembly audits, and to respond to the upcoming audit based on tangible results. The intention is that if the same problems are repeatedly pointed out and criticized by the National Assembly each year, it may indicate fundamental issues in regulations or practices, beyond simple administrative shortcomings.

Kang Hoon-sik, Secretary to the President, is briefing on the results of the 2nd Public-Private Joint Inspection Meeting on Mega Projects held on the 10th at the Chunuchu-Gwan in the Blue House. 2026.8.10 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

On the 19th, Vice Spokesperson An Gwiryeong of the Blue House announced in a written briefing that Kang Hoon-sik, Secretary to the President, requested during a chief secretaries and advisors meeting presided over that afternoon, "Please make sure to clearly address the issues repeatedly pointed out by the National Assembly, and respond more thoroughly to the upcoming National Assembly audit based on the results achieved."

Kang stated, "The National Assembly audit is an important opportunity for the government to be evaluated by the National Assembly and to rectify any shortcomings," adding, "If similar criticisms are made year after year, it may either be an issue that is difficult to address at the level of individual ministries or agencies, or it may mean there are elements within our systems or practices that the public finds difficult to accept."

In essence, agencies should go beyond providing one-off responses to issues raised during audits and should examine whether true systemic improvements have been made. Kang emphasized, "We need to ensure that criticisms from the National Assembly lead to genuine improvements by the government, and that these changes are felt by the public. The Blue House must lead by example so we can become a responsible government that earns the greater trust of both the National Assembly and the public."

The meeting also addressed the public backlash regarding the imposition of fines for illegal parking of two-wheeled vehicles. While the National Police Agency has announced proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Act enforcement decree that would impose such fines, over 4,000 opinions were subsequently submitted.

In this regard, Kang pointed out that review is needed not only of criticism over strengthening penalties before sufficient parking spaces are secured, but also of the realities of short-term parking necessitated by food delivery work, and the economic burden on drivers who rely on such jobs for their livelihoods.

He further referenced comments raised during a delivery workers’ meeting held by the National Police Agency on the 14th, noting that the need both to secure parking spaces for two-wheeled vehicles and to temporarily suspend enforcement was highlighted. Kang warned that "focusing solely on cracking down on illegal parking will likely result in desk-bound policies that ignore the hardships and livelihoods of delivery workers on the ground."

He therefore called on the National Police Agency to uphold the purpose of institutional reform while also developing supplementary measures that account for both the lack of infrastructure for motorcycle parking and the unique nature of delivery work. The underlying message was to take into consideration on-site realities, rather than emphasizing only regulatory necessity.

Regarding the recent heavy rainfall centered around the southern coastal region, Kang stressed the need to enhance national disaster prevention capabilities in line with climate change. Citing last year's cases in Muan and Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, where downpours exceeding 140 mm per hour far surpassed previous disaster prevention targets, he explained that in December of last year the government significantly raised its disaster prevention targets to better address the increased frequency and intensity of heavy rains.

Accordingly, he instructed relevant departments to quickly complete improvements to related infrastructure, including river embankments and sewage pipes, in line with the strengthened goals, and to continuously inspect whether facilities operate properly in the event of an actual disaster.

In particular, Kang highlighted the need to prepare for disasters that even raised facility standards alone cannot handle, such as the recent extreme rainfall in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do. He asked for a comprehensive inspection of non-structural risk management measures, including flood and landslide warnings and proactive evacuation systems, stating, "Please strengthen our response capabilities so that we can protect the lives of our citizens even in disasters that exceed all expectations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.