A new government was launched in May 2017, driven by the people’s aspiration for a transparent nation. The presidential election was held in the aftermath of a political corruption of intervention in state affairs by former president’s confidante, which put the country into a crisis and undermined its global image.
The crisis could not have been resolved if it had not been for the Korean people and the civil society that expressed their strong desire for a transparent nation in a peaceful and democratic manner. And, in response, the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the government exercised their authority within their power entrusted by laws in a fair manner. As a result, the crisis ended with the Consitutional Court’s ruling on the impeachment of former President.
The Constitutional Court decided to uphold the impeachment of the former president as the unanimous opinion of all judges on the ground that she had abused her position and authority as President for the benefits of a third-party, violating the constitution and losing public trust. (Full text of the ruling: 2016Hun-Na1)
By successfully overcoming the crisis, the nation came to realize that its people and the entire society will never tolerate corruption and indeed has an ability to fight corruption by themselves. The crisis was an opportunity for Korea to have more mature democracy and get bigger public trust in and hope for the government.
Under such circumstances, the new administration, with the recognition that the people and society see corruption as the nations’s most serious and urgent challenge, proclaimed that it will push forward with stronger anti-corruption policies.
In line with the government’s such a strong will to fight corruption, the ACRC, as the nation’s anti-corruption control tower, will mobilize capacities of all public agencies and implement comprehensive anti-corruption measures. The ACRC will also reestablish president-convened consultation council of anti-corruption agencies and strengthen public whistleblower protection system. As such, the ACRC will implement various anti-corruption measures as the first priority of state affairs.
Last but not least, the ACRC will strengthen cooperation with the public and private sector, and civil society to promptly implement the new government’s strong anti-corruption policies. By doing so, the ACRC will dedicate itself to enhancing Korea’s integrity level as high as that of advanced countries.
A Nation Free from Corruption |
Way |
- Mobilization anti-corruption efforts from government, public institutions, civil society and private sectors - Seamless integration of anti-corruption functions such as prevention and punishment policies |
Focus |
- Regaining public and international trust by making a tangible improvement on laws and regulations - Building comprehensive response system against corruption committed by high ranking public officials, public servants and businessmen - Promoting practical anti-corruption and integrity efforts based on inter-organization cooperation |
Strengthening ACRC's function of anti-corruption control tower |
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1. Restoring and regularly holding Anti-Corruption Related Agencies Council |
2. Expanding the scope of matters subject to anti-corruption policy |
3. Carrying out government-wide efforts to improve anti-corruption laws and regulations |
4. Improving protection of corruption and public interest reporters and handling results |
5. Supporting businesses’ voluntary anti-corruption efforts |
6. Spreading a culture of integrity throughout society |
7. Enhancing national image as a nation of integrity |
8. Inducing competition among public agencies for stronger transparency by conducting assessment on them |