URL is copied.
SEOUL, May 7 (Yonhap) -- The Board of Audit and Inspection said Thursday it will launch a special inspection next week to make sure that public servants remain faithful to their duties, including maintaining political neutrality, ahead of next month's nationwide local elections.
The three-week inspection, set to begin Tuesday and run through the eve of the June 3 local elections, will be conducted in cooperation with audit agencies of local governments and the interior ministry, the state auditor said.
The inspection will be focused on ensuring political neutrality of civil servants and checking whether there are any deviations, such as going on unnecessary business trips overseas, leaving workplaces without permission and other lapses in discipline, the agency said.
"We're going to deal sternly with corruption cases, including election law violations, the execution of unnecessary pork-barrel budgets and contracts, and the awarding of business favors, regardless of the ranks of those involved," the BAI said.
South Korea holds local elections every four years to elect provincial governors, mayors and local councilors.
The Board of Audit and Inspection (Yonhap)
(END)