It is a constitutional mandate given to the legislature to inspect state affairs administered by the government. For this purpose, the National Assembly is authorized to demand documents from government agencies and call witnesses to testify in person during its regular session each year.

With this year’s 20-day inspection nearing its end, its efficacy is again being called into question, as it has in the past. A civic group has given the National Assembly a “C” after monitoring its inspection of 628 government agencies, government-invested corporations and government-funded organizations. But many others say it has simply flunked.

The National Assembly has long been denounced for making the same mistakes. But few improvements have been made to avoid recurring mistakes and make its inspection more productive. This year is no exception, with few significant advances made in the first-year review of key policies being implemented by President Park Geun-hye’s administration.

As in the past, the 16 standing committees are blamed for their superficiality. That may be inevitable, given the sheer number of agencies that are subject to inspection. It is unrealistic to expect the committees to thoroughly inspect all 628 agencies in a 20-day period.

As a remedy, some lawmakers propose to make it possible for the committees to inspect government agencies all year round. They suggest each committee may be allowed to open an inspection when it is warranted by a pressing issue concerning a government agency.

Another proposal, advanced by some other lawmakers, is to reduce the number of government agencies to be inspected each year. They say the rules on inspection can be changed to allow some government agencies to be inspected every two years.

No less serious was the sheer number of businessmen that were summoned to testify. Was it really necessary for committee members to call more than 200 top corporate managers as witnesses, yell at some of them and humiliate others during the inspection?

Fault was also found with government agencies under inspection. Some of them took evasive or even obstructionist tactics when inquiries were made. Rules must be tightened on perjury and other unlawful acts aimed at hampering inspections.

The ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic Party acknowledge this year’s inspection was disappointing. They agree that it is necessary to overhaul the inspection rules if the National Assembly is to avoid public censure in the future. If so, the two parties are well advised to start talks to that end immediately.