Ethics Programs
Transparency International-Korea Ethics Program
TI Korea Ethics Program Documents
ETHICAL POLICIES & GUIDELINES
– Ethics Policy
– Ethics Charter
– Conflict of Interest Policy
– Regulation on Ethics Committee
HISTORY ETHICS ENACTMENT RECORD
– Ethics Charter enacted on 30th August 2000
– Conflict of Interest Policy enacted on 30th August 2000
– Regulation on Ethics Committee enacted on 22nd September 2004
– Ethics Program enacted on 14th September 2007
I. Introduction
Transparency International Korea (herein TI-Korea) is working together with citizens, civil society organizations, government organizations, and businesses to create a transparent society free of corruption through anticorruption activities. By gaining society’s confidence through our activities, only then can we begin to take the necessary steps of self-examination and control toward becoming a corruption-free country.
Our activities demand a high-level of ethical awareness and behavior. In addition, the values and goals we seek are clearly defined, and we require that the principles and provisions specified in pursuit of our goals be thoroughly observed. Therefore, the “TI-Korea Ethics Program” was established.
“Ethics” is the “moral strength” through which we operate. All members and affiliates of TI-Korea are fully aware of the Ethics Charter, and related provisions offered by the Ethics Program and promise to thoroughly comply.
14th, September, 2007
Transparency International Korea
II. Ethics Policy
Purpose
TI-Korea’s success depends on its reputation as an ethical non-government organization. To maintain this reputation, all members’ decisions and actions adhere to the essential foundation of TI-Korea’s “Core Value” of honesty, integrity, fairness, transparency, objectivity, responsibility, and public interest, in order to make sound judgments and act with integrity. By complying with and respecting Transparency International’s “Code of Conduct,” we are able to establish “Ethical Anticorruption Activities” to attain the values we seek. Hence, TI-Korea’s Ethics Program was established to help all members realize the above.
The purpose of TI-Korea’s Ethics Policy is to provide TI-Korea and its members with the goals and values that TI-Korea pursues and to help them clearly understand the Ethics Program in order to realize these goals and values.
Enforcement
Enforcement of TI-Korea’s Ethics Policy is based on resolutions made at the annual general meeting.
General Policy
1. TI-Korea’s Ethics Committee has managerial responsibility of the Ethics Program. Members of the Ethics Committee are appointed to the Board Committee and have a manager of Ethics for actively managing the Committee and Ethics Program.
2. A manager of Ethics is appointed to the chairperson and should be designated and established to carry out the Ethics Program. The manager of Ethics will report the Ethical business to the Ethics Committee, which in turn will report to the Board of Directors.
3. The manager of Ethics will examine ethics-related policy, provisions, and business operations of TI-Korea. In addition to examining ethics-related issues, the manager of Ethics Committee should also set up and manage the Ethics Program.
4. In order for all members to understand TI-Korea’s ethics policy, charter, standards, and ethics-related provisions, the Secretariat General will enforce an “Ethics Education Program.”
5. The Secretariat General must publish informing all members of the Ethics Program on TI-Korea’s webpage.
6. The Ethics committee must investigate any questionable activities of or violation of the Ethics Policy by members and between members. Furthermore, the Ethics committee should establish and manage a “Center for Reporting Unethical Activities.”
Responsibilities
1. TI-Korea’s Board of Directors will manage and direct ethics policy.
2. The Ethics Committee has the responsibility of creating and managing the Ethics Program.
3. All members have the responsibility of adhering to the Ethics Policy and Provisions, questioning problematic situations, requesting investigations of questionable cases, mutually encouraging observation of the Ethics Policy and Provisions, and reporting violations and suspicious activities to the Ethics Committee.
4. The headquarters of TI-Korea should acknowledge the Ethics Program, and those members affiliated with the program are responsible for managing its promotion.
5. The Board committee should follow the Ethics Committee’s recommendation(s) for members who violated the Ethics Provisions and related business practices and adopts the most appropriate course of action, including dismissal.
References:
– Ethics Charter
– Conflict of Interest Policy
– Regulation on ethics committee
– Transparency International Mission Statement
– Transparency International Code of Conduct
– Guidelines for the Formation of National Chapters
III. Ethics Charter
Enacted on 30th August, 2000
Introduction
Transparency International Korea (herein TI-Korea) Ethics Charter establishes TI-Korea’s values and goals and outlines fundamental principles for activities and decision-making required to realize our goals.
Values
TI-Korea believes that in order for society to “Preserve a Free Competition System” all social members must aim towards a society of “impartial opportunities.” In order to achieve this, we will work with both citizens and civil society organizations to pursue and develop anti-corruption activities for a “corruption free and transparent society.”
Goals
TI-Korea’s anti-corruption activities aim to reform people’s perception of corruption, and, by exposing systemic abuses of power and graft, we can develop preventative measures through which all of society can participate to help eradicate corruption. By constructing a “National Anti-corruption System,” we can improve society’s “efficiency and confidence” and stimulate societal unity.
Principles of Conduct
TI-Korea maintains the following principles for our activities and decision-making to achieve our values and goals.
+ Non-profit Principle
As a non-government organization, TI-Korea and its members’ activities are performed with a not-for-profit purpose.
+ Non-partisan Principle
TI-Korea’s anti-corruption activities are developed to be non-political and non-partisan. We are not affiliated with a particular political party or interest group, and to remain independent, we do not accept financial support from any political party or interest group.
+Exclusion of Investigating Individual Corruption Cases
The primary purpose of TI-Korea’s activities is to cooperate with citizens and organizations to improve the corruption prevention system and reform people’s perceptions of corruption. Therefore, we do not investigate or disclose individual cases of corruption.
Prohibiting and Reporting Conflict of Interest
Members of TI-Korea cannot accept money, gifts, entertainment, and other financial profits/remuneration from individuals or organizations because they could influence the independent and objective activities and decisions of TI-Korea. Potential conflict of interest must be reported to the Ethics Committee, and actual conflict of interest cases must be reported and discussed with the Ethics Committee. The Conflict of Interest Regulations were separately established for this purpose.
Upholding Transparency International’s (TI) Policy and Core Values
TI-Korea is part of an international civil society organization that collaborates on anti-corruption activities. We develop our anti-corruption activities by cooperating with TI and upholding TI’s Policy and Core Values.
IV. Conflict of Interest Policy
Enacted on 30th, August, 2000
Introduction
“Prohibiting and Reporting Conflict of Interest” in TI-Korea’s Ethics Charter provides members with operational regulations in order to maintain objectivity and independence in their decisions and activities related to TI-Korea.
Article 1: Purpose
The purpose of TI-Korea’s Conflict of Interest Policy is outline the necessary provisions to follow when encountered with a situation stipulated in “Prohibiting and Reporting Conflict of Interest” of the Ethics Charter.
Article 2: Enforcement
The Conflict of Interest Policy can be in force as approval of annual general meetings.
Article 3: Applicability
The Conflict of Interest Policy applies to all members, officers, personnel, and Headquarters of TI-Korea.
Article 4: Responsibilities
① If a conflict of interest should arise between a member’s personal interests his/her responsibilities to TI-Korea, TI-Korea’s interests should take precedence in such a person’s activities and decisions. Also, in cases where it is difficult to distinguish whether a particular situation creates a conflict of interest, one should inquire and consult the Ethics Committee.
② TI-Korea and its Headquarters’ executive officers should encourage mutual observation of the Conflict of Interest Policy
Article 5 Definitions
① Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest is defined as any personal interest that could influence a member’s decisions and activities related to TI-Korea.
② Gifts
Cash, goods, stocks, or any thing else of value from an individual or organization fall under the category of “Gifts.”
③ Entertainment
Meals, drinks, sports events, or recreational favors are all considered “Entertainment”
④ Conveniences
Conveniences are defined as transportation, lodging/hotel, tourist information and events as gifts, or offers of entertainment.
⑤ Whistle-blower
A whistle-blower is a member who has the obligation of reporting any giving or receiving related to gifts, offers of entertainment, conveniences, etc.
⑥ Interest party
An interest party is a person or organization which is influenced by activities or decisions of member of TI-Korea.
⑦ Common Social Circumstance
“Common Social Circumstance” is where gifts and donations are acknowledged as honest, spontaneous, and without burden in general.
⑧ Unavoidable Circumstances
Unavoidable circumstances are situations where the person was not able to recognize the situation as being a conflict of interest or the situations are occurred by a substitute of the person.
Article 6: Dealing with Ethical Issues
① Giving and receiving gifts to/from businesses and interest groups/individuals is prohibited
i. Giving and receiving common range of money for congratulations or condolences is allowed.
ii. When the giving and receiving of gifts is unavoidable, the situation must be reported to the Ethics Committee.
② Giving and receiving entertainment to/from businesses and interest groups/individuals is prohibited
iii. Receiving and giving gifts (e.g., meals, etc.) of up to KRW 20,000 per person for amicable business operation and management is allowed.
iv. Receiving/giving entertainment related gifts must fall within the determined scope of the Ethics Charter.
v. In the case that giving/receiving entertainment related gifts is unavoidable, the Ethics Committee must be notified.
③ Accepting offers of conveniences from businesses and related interest groups/individuals is prohibited.
vi. Accepting items offered to be used in public education programs (i.e., facilities, food, transportation, etc.) do not fall under conveniences.
vii. TI-Korea’s staff members, officers, and member of policy committee who have financial interests directly or indirectly cannot be a provider of Knowledge or materials of TI-Korea except for free of that.
viii. Any unavoidable circumstances pertaining to Conveniences must be immediately reported to the Ethics Committee.
④ In order to protect TI-Korea’s assets, expenditures must not be used inappropriately.
ix. To avoid any risk to TI-Korea’s assets, expenditures must be used in the best way possible.
x. TI-Korea’s property (public fund, knowledge, information, copyright, articles of furniture, etc) and business hours cannot be used for the purpose of personal profit.
⑤ TI-Korea’s information cannot be illegally disclosed.
The disclosure of any privileged information pertaining to TI-Korea’s activities in a way that is contradictory to TI-Korea’s goals is prohibited.
⑥ Infringing on a another person’s property rights is prohibited
During the TI-Korea’s activities, infringing on a another person’s property rights (including the intellectual property rights) is prohibited.
⑦ Members are prohibited from abusing their position at TI-Korea for personal purposes.
xi. As a member of TI-Korea, one cannot abuse his/her position in decision-making or dishonest business practices.
xii. Members are prohibited from abusing their position for the purpose of personal profit.
xiii. Members are prohibited from using their position to demand favors that could influence future decisions or accept favors.
Article 7: Practice
③ All member of TI-Korea have to obey the Conflict of Interest Policy. In accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy, in the case a conflict of interest arising, the Ethics Committee must be consulted.
④ It is the responsibility of TI-Korea and its members, through mutual encouragement, to ensure that everyone abides by the Conflict of Interest Policy.
⑤ The staff members and officers have to report Conflict of Interest Paper.
Article 8: Punishment
If a case of violating the Conflict of Interest Policy is occurred or not reported to the Ethics Committee and later discovered, then the case will be presented to the Board of Directors for review and punishment include dismissal.
Supplementary Provisions
① If a situation that is not covered by the Conflict of Interest Policy should arise, the matter will be referred to the Ethics Committee for review.
② The Conflict of Interest Policy will be published on TI-Korea’s webpage so that all members can easily access it at any time.
IV. Regulation on ethics committee
Enacted on 22nd September, 2004
Article 1: Purpose
The purpose of this provision is to establish the organization and operation of the Ethics Committee (hereinafter, the “Committee”) according to Article 9 of the Statutes of Transparency International Korea.
Article 2: Organization
The Committee, consisting of at least 3 and no more than 5 members, shall be voted from among the members by the Board of Directors and Chairperson. A Board member will be appointed the Chairperson of the Committee. The term of office for Committee members will be 2 years. If a Committee member decides to leave the Committee during his/her term, a vote for a new member will take place and the new Committee member will serve the remainder of the predecessor’s term.
Article 3: Council
The Chairperson must convene the Committee and be considered the Council. One out of two registered members must be in attendance for the meeting to take place, and the majority of those attending said meeting must agree for a vote to go through. The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and the Secretary General can be attend and present their statement. As a general rule, Committee meetings are closed meetings and are simply not open to the public. Minutes will be taken during the proceeding of Committee meetings.
Article 4: Duties
The duties of the Committee are as follows:
1. In the case of an infringement of the Statute or the Ethics Charter, the Committee will investigate the violation, prepare disciplinary action, and establish a countermeasure.
2. The Committee will oversee the implementation and training of the Statute and Ethics Charter.
Article 5: Limits of Authority
In the case of a suspected violation of either the Statute or the Ethics Charter, the Committee can demand summit or explain the findings of said investigation or present any officer, personnel, member, etc. and client or presenter related to the incident for investigation. If the suspected violation is substantiated, the Committee can present the appropriate disciplinary action to the Chairperson.
Article 6: Obligation to Non-disclosure
The Chairperson, Committee members, and Committee staff must pledge not to disclose information related to Committee business. Disclosure of Committee business is the same as that person resigning from his/her position. Unless there is a justifiable request from a government organization or the Committee votes for disclosure, Committee business will not be publicly disclosed.
Article 7: Manager of Ethics
The Secretary General will appoint one staff member as a manager of Ethics to assist the Committee with Ethics Charter related duties.
Article 8: Operation Bylaws
The Committee may establish operation bylaws.
Supplementary Provisions
These provisions will be enforced on an official date. Some of the member of committee can hold their term for one year.
V. Regulation on Ethics Committee
Enacted on 22nd September 2004
Article 1: Purpose
The purpose of this provision is to establish the organization and operation of the Ethics Committee (henceforth, the “Committee”) according to Article 9 of the Statutes of Transparency International Korea.
Article 2: Organization
The Committee, consisting of at least 3 and no more than 5 members, shall be voted from among the members by the Board of Directors and Chairperson. A Board member will be appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee. The term of office for Committee members will be 2 years. If a Committee member decides to leave the Committee during his/her term, a vote for a new member will take place and the new Committee member will serve the remainder of the predecessor’s term.
Article 3: Council
The Chairperson must convene the Committee and is also considered as the Council. One out of two registered members must be in attendance for the meeting to take place, and the majority of those attending the meeting must agree for a vote to go through. The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and the Secretary General can attend and present their statement. As a general rule, Committee meetings are closed meetings, therefore, it’s not open to the public. Minutes will be taken during the proceedings of Committee meetings.
Article 4: Duties
The duties of the Committee are as follows:
1. In case of an infringement of the Statute or the Ethics Charter, the Committee will investigate the violation, prepare a disciplinary action, and establish a countermeasure.
2. The Committee will oversee the implementation and training of the Statute and Ethics Charter.
Article 5: Limits of Authority
In case of a suspected violation of either the Statute or the Ethics Charter, the Committee can demand to submit or explain the findings of the said investigation, or present any officer, personnel, member, etc. and a client or presenter related to the incident for investigation. If the suspected violation is substantiated, the Committee will present the appropriate disciplinary action to the Chairperson.
Article 6: Obligation to Non-disclosure
The Chairperson, Committee members, and Committee staff must pledge not to disclose information related to Committee business. Disclosure of Committee business is equivalent that person’s resignation from his/her position. Unless there is a justifiable request from a government organization or when the Committee votes for a disclosure, Committee business may not be publicly disclosed.
Article 7: Manager of Ethics
The Secretary General will appoint one staff member as a manager of Ethics to assist the Committee with Ethics Charter related duties.
Article 8: Operation Bylaws
The Committee may establish operation bylaws.
Supplementary Provisions
These provisions will be enforced on an official date. Some of the Committee Members can hold their term for one year.