In response to criticism over politically charged audits directed at the previous government, the Board of Audit and Inspection in South Korea has announced a restructuring of its Special Investigation Bureau, renaming it the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau. This change is meant to shift the focus of the bureau from broad public sector oversight to a more targeted approach dedicated to anti-corruption measures and personnel inspections. The reorganization involves a reduction of the bureau from five departments to three, with the establishment of a new team specifically tasked with the continuous collection and analysis of information relevant to personnel inspections.

The Special Investigation Bureau, known for investigating corruption among public officials, wielded significant discretion in handling audit matters without stringent oversight, leading to concerns about excessive auditing. Under the administration of President Yoon Seok-yeol, the bureau was actively involved in audits targeting senior officials and policies from the previous Moon Jae-in government. This resulted in escalating criticism regarding the bureau's operations, prompting the acting head of the board to pledge the dismantling of the Special Investigation Bureau in late 2022. Instead of a complete abolition, the board has opted for a structured reorganization aimed at emphasizing its core mission related to anti-corruption.

The planned reorganization not only includes a shift in the bureau’s name and structure but also coincides with a broader reform of the entire operations of the Board of Audit and Inspection. This strategic overhaul is intended to reposition the board to respond more effectively to the emerging issues of public officials' misconduct and to ensure ongoing monitoring of potential corruption cases, thereby improving its accountability and efficiency in executing its auditing responsibilities.