코로나 속 21대 국회 첫 국정감사 돌입…’온택트’ 회의에 인원제한, 국감 풍경도 바뀐다<br /><br />And it's the annual audit season of the South Korean government - the first of its kind under the 21st National Assembly and in the pandemic era.<br />As with nearly everything else in the Covid era, the parliamentary audits are taking on a different look for virus prevention purposes.<br />Annual audit amid the pandemic: Choi Jeong-yoon has the details.<br />Previously parliamentary audits were so packed, you couldn't even shuffle your feet through the thousands of officials from the inspected agencies and the reporters covering them.<br />Fourteen of the assembly's seventeen standing committees held this year's first inspection hearings on Wednesday,...but Yeouido seemed rather quiet for what is a usually bustling kick-off.<br />That is due to the new COVID-19 guidelines... that restrict the total number of people attending an audit, or waiting outside the halls, to less than 50.<br />Some sessions are even going non-contact.<br />The Health and Welfare Committee will connect to Sejong and Cheongju city on the second day where the Health Ministry and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency are located.<br />The agencies in the committee are working on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. This new measure will help them follow thorough virus prevention measures and will minimize contact as much as possible"<br />The spotlight this year is on the government's handling of the crisis.<br />The Health Ministry said the virus is still threatening lives, and is pledging an ample supply of medical resources.<br />"To counteract to the virus more effectively, we will establish a legal basis and develop manuals. We will also provide full support for the swift development of vaccines and treatments."<br />Other issues in the spotlight are the recent killing of a South Korean government official by North Korea and the debate over the special military service treatment given to the justice minister's son.<br />"Over the next 20 days, more than 640 government organizations will be inspected by the assembly's various committees. COVID-19 being the key word affecting this year’s audit...all eyes are on whether agencies have tackled the crisis effectively. Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News."<br />
