Seoul: The Constitutional Court has dismissed the impeachment motion against Choe Jae-hae, the chief state auditor, over accusations of an inadequate review concerning the 2022 relocation of the presidential office and residence. This decision was reached on Thursday with a unanimous vote of 8-0, effectively reinstating Choe to his role as chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court required the agreement of at least six justices to uphold the impeachment, which was not obtained. The court clarified that the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) had conducted an audit to verify whether the legally mandated procedures were adhered to during the decision-making process for the relocation. The court found no evidence to suggest that the audit was improperly conducted.
Additionally, the court dismissed claims within the impeachment motion that Choe Jae-hae had executed an audit aimed at Jeon Hyun-heui, the former chair of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, with the intent to coerce her resignation. The impeachment of Choe had been initiated by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December, but the court's decision now allows him to resume his duties uninterrupted.