April 2024: Overview of Strengthened Integrity and Anti-Corruption Policies

In April 2024, the South Korean government officially announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen integrity and anti-corruption policies in the public sector.
The main goal is to restore public trust and improve transparency in government operations, while implementing measures that are tangible to both citizens and businesses.
Following recent corruption incidents in certain public agencies and the private sector, the government has prioritized enhancing integrity and reinforcing anti-corruption systems.
This article details the policy background, rationale, key initiatives, expected outcomes, and ways for the public to participate in promoting transparency.

Table of Contents

1. Policy Background and Rationale
2. Key Initiatives
3. Expected Outcomes
4. Public Participation and Implementation
5. FAQ
6. References and Resources

Policy Background and Rationale

• Recent corruption and misconduct cases in public agencies and the private sector.
• Need to improve integrity levels according to Transparency International (TI) standards and OECD anti-corruption recommendations.
• Requirement to restore public trust and ensure transparency in policy execution.
• Addressing opacity in public finance management and procurement processes, aiming for long-term integrity culture establishment.

In response, the government announced a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy including strengthened internal controls in public agencies, promotion of integrity culture, and expanded citizen participation.
This strategy emphasizes prevention-focused integrity systems and practical transparency measures, rather than solely relying on regulations or punitive actions.

Key Initiatives

1. Enhanced Public Agency Integrity Assessments

   • Expanded evaluation criteria: public finance management, contract transparency, ethical compliance.
   • Linking assessment results to incentives: rewards for high-performing agencies, mandatory improvement plans for underperforming ones.
   • Involvement of external experts and citizen evaluators.

2. Corruption Reporting and Whistleblower Protection

   • Strengthened anonymous reporting systems and protection against retaliation.
   • Legal protections and potential reward systems for whistleblowers.
   • Regular audits linked to internal monitoring mechanisms.

3. Increased Transparency in Policy and Financial Execution

   • Expanded disclosure of budget, contracts, and procurement information.
   • Real-time monitoring via electronic systems for verification.
   • Public release of project progress, results, and evaluation reports.

4. Integrity Education and Cultural Promotion

   • Regular integrity training programs for public officials.
   • Citizen campaigns, awareness programs, and public participation initiatives.
   • Sharing integrity best practices to raise awareness.

5. Strengthened International Cooperation

   • Implementation checks on OECD and UN anti-corruption agreements.
   • Information sharing and joint audits with overseas institutions.
   • Using international benchmarks for performance evaluation and improvement.

Expected Outcomes

• Transparency Improvement: Increased clarity in public institutions and policy implementation.
• Corruption Reduction: Lower incidence of corruption and restored public confidence.
• Enhanced Investment Climate: Positive signal for domestic and international investors.
• Institutionalization of Integrity Culture: Long-term ethical reinforcement for public officials and expanded citizen participation.
• Policy Credibility Boost: Citizens and businesses perceive tangible effects, improving overall trust in government.

Public Participation and Implementation

• Engage in citizen-based assessments and surveys to evaluate agency integrity.
• Participate in anti-corruption campaigns and use the reporting system.
• Monitor public agency project execution and provide feedback.
• Join integrity education programs and help promote a voluntary compliance culture.

FAQ

Are these integrity policies applied to all public agencies?

Yes, they apply to central and local governments, as well as all public sector institutions.

How are whistleblowers protected?

Anonymous reporting systems protect whistleblowers, and strict sanctions are enforced against retaliation.

Can ordinary citizens participate in these policies?

Yes, citizens can participate through surveys, evaluations, and anti-corruption campaigns.

Who is eligible for integrity training programs?

Public officials, employees of public institutions, and selected staff in private partner organizations are eligible.

References and Resources

• Anti-Corruption Policy, Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission
• Integrity Improvement Plan, Ministry of Economy and Finance
• OECD Anti-Corruption Guidelines