감사원 (Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea)

Summary

The 감사원 (Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea, BAI) is constitutionally established under Articles 97-100 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and governed by the 감사원법 (Board of Audit and Inspection Act). The BAI Chairman is appointed by the President with the consent of the National Assembly for a single non-renewable 4-year term; the six members of the Board are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Chairman for renewable 4-year terms. Members may be removed only for cause (mental incapacity, criminal conviction, or prolonged inability to perform duties). The BAI has dual functions: auditing government accounts (settlement of accounts) and inspecting the conduct of executive agencies and public officials. Under the 감사원법 it holds broad investigative powers, including the authority to require submission of documents and to summon and question relevant persons. Annual reports are submitted to the President and the National Assembly and published without pre-publication review. The BAI's budget is an independent line item in the national budget.