South Korea\'s parliamentary audit raised concerns that funds are increasingly concentrating in banks while savings banks and mutual finance institutions shrink. Lawmakers also questioned the legal basis and procedures for the financial authorities\' household loan volume controls, calling them de facto mandatory rules. Separate inquiries focused on payment inconveniences for foreign tourists, Apple Pay fees and infrastructure costs, and limits on using iPhone NFC for local simple payment services. Authorities said they would review improvements.

South Korea\'s parliamentary audit spotlighted weakness in mutual finance at local agricultural cooperatives under the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, with joint-loan delinquency cited at 17.5 percent. Data presented by opposition lawmakers showed higher delinquency in loans to non-members and quasi-members and most estimated losses tied to those loans. Lawmakers also raised concerns about executive performance bonuses at loss-making cooperatives and questioned oversight, internal controls and the effectiveness of supervision and audits.