Special Inspector Choi Gil-soo: “The Special Inspector’s Office will keep both eyes wide open and become a panopticon-like presence”

[Financial News] Special Inspector Choi Gil-soo stressed his plan to step up preventive inspections on the 26th, saying, “The Special Inspector’s Office aims to become a panopticon-like presence that keeps both eyes wide open and can monitor those subject to inspection for misconduct.”
On his first day at the office in Cheongjin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Special Inspector Choi met with reporters and said, “I feel an immense sense of responsibility having been appointed as the successor to Lee Seok-soo, the first special inspector, 10 years after he resigned.”
The Panopticon is a circular prison with a watchtower at its center, devised by the utilitarian Jeremy Bentham.
Special Inspector Choi said, “The Doctrine of the Mean and the Great Learning contain the term sindok. You know it well. I understand it to mean reflecting on oneself by exercising care and restraint even when alone, by oneself,” adding, “I think the Special Inspector system is an institutional check that enables senior public officials and others subject to inspection to constantly reflect on and examine themselves.”
On the principles governing his work, he also said, “I believe that if political neutrality and independence in carrying out our duties are not maintained, the Special Inspector system will become a mere formality or be weakened,” adding that he would remain vigilant in his own conduct and inspection activities to avoid being drawn into disputes over impartiality.
However, he made clear that he could not directly inspect even the president’s closest associates if they were not legally subject to inspection. He said the law had not been amended to expand the scope of those subject to inspection, adding, “If that third party were discussed with an investigative agency, they would be no more than a witness and could not be subject to inspection.”
However, he said he would not limit his approach to waiting for tips. Special Inspector Choi explained, “Inspection work involves gathering information,” adding, “It’s not something done simply by passively waiting for someone to come to us or file a complaint or accusation.”
He expected it would take time to staff the office, including deputy special inspectors, because an open recruitment process would be required. He said, “Under the Special Inspector Act, I am the only person appointed to the Special Inspector’s Office so far,” adding, “Everyone else has to be selected through open recruitment.”
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter