Lee Sang Hak (Transparency International-Korea)
Summary
① Compared to citizens in other countries, South Koreans believe that the level of corruption in South Korea has been improving a lot recently.
② Compared to the 2017 survey, the level of corruption in each societal area has improved. However, the level of corruption among religious leaders has not improved. Comparing the level of corruption in each societal area with the OECD average, every societal area received lower scores except that of civil servants and the president/prime minister.
③ Among the three East Asian countries(South Korea, Japan, Taiwan), South Korea received the lowest scores in terms of trust in the judicature and the police. Trust in the government was higher than in Japan and lower than in Taiwan.
④ Regarding the government’s anti-corruption policy, South Korea received higher scores than Japan and the OECD average, but lower than Taiwan.
⑤ Regarding the activity of the anti-corruption institution(Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission), South Korea received higher scores than Japan but lower than Taiwan and the average of Asian countries.
⑥ South Koreans show a high percentage of utilizing personal connections to solve problems. The ratio of utilizing personal connections is lower than China and the average of Asian countries, but higher than Japan and Taiwan. The biggest reason for utilizing personal connections in work procedures is to ‘receive fast and good service’.
⑦ South Korea shows the lowest percentage of ‘being able to report corruption without fear’compared to Japan and Taiwan. This indicates that South Koreans fear retaliation for reporting corruption.
⑧ South Korea also received the lowest score regarding the expectation for the government to take appropriate measures for corruption reports, compared to Japan and Taiwan.
⑨ Comparing each age group, the younger group aged 25-34 are most aware of the seriousness of corruption in South Korea, and have the least trust in the government. Also, the younger group aged 25-34 evaluated the government’s anti-corruption response the most negatively. However, ages 65 and higher evaluate the seriousness of corruption and the government’s anti-corruption response leniently, and give higher scores regarding trust in the government, compared with other age groups.
1. Investigation Summary
The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) is a corruption investigation conducted by Transparency International on major countries around the world. Unlike the CPI, which is based on data surveyed by senior business managers and experts, the GCB is different in that surveys are conducted on ordinary citizens in each country.
Transparency International conducted a GCB survey in 2020 after its 2017 survey. Because the GCB conducts surveys by continent, the timing and items of the survey vary slightly from continent to continent.
The GCB survey in Asia, to which South Korea belongs, took place between June and July 2020 and 14 countries were included in the 2020 survey, including South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Cambodia.
The South Korea survey was conducted on 10,799 people and analyzed 1,000 valid respondents. The method of investigation was a computer-assisted telephone interview, and both fixed-line and wireless phones were used. According to the composition of the population, the survey targets were collected in a stratified extraction method, and the survey results weighted items differently.
This report uses the 2020 Asia survey conducted by Transparency International. Also, comparison with other OECD countries uses necessary parts from other continent surveys. Therefore, in Asian countries we use the 2020 survey result and in OECD countries, the 2017-18 survey results.
2. Degree of Corruption
1) The degree to which corruption is a problem in society
By age group, age 25-34 demographic thinks that corruption is very problematic, and in age group over 65, there are less people who think that corruption is a serious problem.
Comparing the ratio of “considerably problematic” to “very problematic” among major East Asian countries, South Korea scored the best with 56.1 percent, Japan 84.2 percent, Taiwan 89.4 percent and China 63.1 percent. The report shows that South Koreans believe the level of domestic corruption is relatively less serious than that of other East Asian countries.
2) Change in degree of corruption
The percentage of respondents who said corruption has decreased in their country is 40.6 percent in South Korea, 6.3 percent in Japan and 21.9 percent in Taiwan. Also, the OECD average of respondents who said corruption has decreased is 9.0 percent. The percentage of respondents who said corruption has increased is 19.3 percent in South Korea, 36.7 percent in Japan, and 39.1 percent in Taiwan. The OECD average is 44.7 percent.
Compared to other countries, South Korea has seen the greatest reduction in corruption in recent years.
3) Perception about the Degree of Corruption in Major Societal Areas
Comparing the results of the level of corruption in each societal area with the results of the 2017 survey, the level of corruption in all areas except religious leaders has improved. In the improved results, the area of civil servants improved by 23.2 percent from 2017, and that of local assembly members improved by 15.9 percent from 2017. The area of the President (including the Blue House) and Prime Minister (including the Prime Minister’s Office) improved by 13.0 percent. On the other hand, the area of religious leaders has not improved.
2) Percentage of Improvement = (2020-2017)/2017.
Comparing the level of corruption in each societal area with the OECD average, the area of civil servants (including the Blue House) and Prime Minister (including the Prime Minister’s Office) differ by 0.03 points and 0.08 points from the OECD average, respectively. In other words, civil servants and the President (including the Blue House)/ Prime Minister (including the prime minister’s office) are more upright than the OECD average. However, every area except these two scored lower than the OECD average.
The biggest difference in the average of South Korea and OECD countries is the area of lawmakers, which scored 0.37 points (15.4 percent) less than the OECD average, followed by 0.29 points (13.8 percent) for religious leaders and 0.22 points (9.7 percent) for local assembly members. These areas are considered more corrupt than the OECD average.
3. Governmental Response
1) Trust in government
Regarding the question of whether the government (including government officials and politicians, and all government agencies) can be trusted and is fulfilling their responsibilities, 56.5 percent answered positively. In Japan, 44.6 percent responded positively and in Taiwan, 67.6 percent. Therefore, South Korea scored higher than in Japan and lower than Taiwan.
When asked if they believe they can trust the judicature, and if the judicature is fulfilling their responsibilities, 56.9 percent answered positively. In response to the same question, 78.1 percent in Japan and 75.0 percent in Taiwan responded positively. South Korea scored considerably lower than Japan and Taiwan in terms of trust in the judicature.
[Figure 7] Trust in the judicature(International Comparison, %)
When asked if they can trust the police and if the police are fulfilling their responsibilities, 55.2 percent responded positively. In response to the same question, 76.1 percent in Japan and 73.7 percent in Taiwan responded positively. South Korea also scored considerably lower than Japan and Taiwan in terms of trust in the police.
South Korea scored the lowest among the three countries in terms of trust in the judicature and police, although in comparison with the three East Asian countries, it received mid-range scores in trust in the government. What is interesting is that Japan received the worst score among the three countries in government trust, but received the highest score in terms of trust in the judicature and police. Moreover, Taiwan scored better than South Korea in all areas (trust in the government, judicature and police).
Comparing South Koreans’ trust in the government, judicature and police by age group, middle-aged people aged 25-34 and 35-54 gave relatively lower points. On the other hand, it can be seen that those aged 55 and older are giving higher points.
2) Governmental anti-corruption response capacity
In terms of the governmental response capacity to banish corruption, 45.2 percent in South Korea responded that the government is doing well, compared to 23.3 percent in Japan and 58.8 percent in Taiwan. The OECD average is 24.9 percent. In terms of governmental anti-corruption response capacity, South Korea scored higher than the OECD average and Japan but scored lower than Taiwan.
Looking at the score given for the governmental anti-corruption response capacity by each age group in South Korea, age 25-34 gave the lowest points, and age 65 and higher gave the highest points.
3) Evaluation of the anti-corruption activity of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Council (ACRC)
In the evaluation of anti-corruption activities by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the institution in charge of anti-corruption policy, 46.1 percent of South Koreans said the ACRC was “doing well” and 53.3 percent said they were “doing poorly.” In an assessment of anti-corruption institution’s activities, 39.1 percent in Japan said that they were doing well and 57.1 percent said they were not doing well. In Taiwan, 65.4 percent said they were doing well, while 31.6 percent said they were not doing well. On average, 63.1 percent of Asian countries said they were doing well and 32.1 percent said they were not doing well. South Korea scored higher than Japan, but lower than Taiwan and the average of Asian countries.
[Figure 12] Evaluation of the Anti-Corruption Activity of the Anti-Corruption Institution(International Comparison, %)
4) Degree to which the ACRC is known
55 percent of South Koreans are aware of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. However, only 5.1 percent said they were “very aware” and 49.9 percent said they were “considerably aware”. Meanwhile, 15.3 percent of the respondents in Japan said they were aware of the anti-corruption agency and 37.1 percent in Taiwan said they were aware. On average, 15.3 percent of people in Asian countries say they are aware of their country’s anti-corruption agency. South Koreans are well aware of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the anti-corruption body, compared to people in other Asian countries.
4. Utilization of Personal Connections
Comparing the cases of South Koreans offering money or other goods and utilizing personal connections for their work, they often utilize personal connections rather than money or other goods as a whole. The ratio of schools offering bribes or entertainment to teachers or faculty members is 12.7 percent, while 19.4 percent utilized personal connections for work. In addition, 5.9 percent of hospitals used money and valuables, and 12.6 percent used personal connections. 8.1 percent of the government used money and valuables to obtain various certificates, while 9.7 percent used personal connections. 14.4 percent used money and other goods to receive public services, and 17.3 percent used personal connections. In the case of the police, 9.3 percent of them used money and valuables, 11.4 percent used personal connections. In the judicature, 14.5 percent used money and other goods, and 18.9 percent used personal connections.
17.7 percent of South Koreans use personal connections, while the average of Asian countries is 24.5 percent and higher than South Korea. In the case of East Asia, Japan shows a relatively lower rate at 4.1 percent, Taiwan at 12.8 percent and China at 32.2 percent. The ratio of South Koreans utilizing personal connections for work is higher than Japan or Taiwan but lower than China.
Looking at the distribution of age groups utilizing personal connections, the age groups that are active in society (ages 25-34, 35-54) hold a larger percentage than other age groups. 23.5 percent of ages 25-34, and 21.5 percent of ages 35-54 utilize personal connections for work. However, ages 65 and higher show a lower percentage of 9.3 percent.
The bigger reason for utilizing personal connections is‘to receive faster and better services’, yet there is a difference among countries. In South Korea, 62.8 percent of people using personal connections do so to ‘receive better and faster services’, and 37.2 percent do so to ‘acquire an opportunity to use services’. In Japan, 54.1 percent do so to receive faster and better services, and 29.7 percent do so to acquire an opportunity to use services. In Taiwan, 53.5 percent do so to receive faster and better services, and 45.5 percent do so to acquire an opportunity to use services. In China, 60.7 percent do so to receive faster and better services, and 36.8 percent do so to acquire an opportunity to use services.
5. Experience of Offering Money or Other Goods
The percentage of South Koreans who have offered money or other goods is 13.4 percent in ages 25-34, 14 percent in ages 35-54 and 4 percent in age 65 and higher.
57.0 percent of the respondents said that the reason for South Koreans offering money and other goods was “to carry out an unrequested and unofficial practice”. 19.0 percent said it was “to show gratitude”. 16.5 percent said “they suggested it first for benefits”, and 7.6 percent said “the other party requested money and valuables.”
By age group, the number of people who gave money or other goods was higher in the younger age group because they thought it was an unofficial practice, while the number of those who provided money or valuables as a token of gratitude was higher in the 55 or older age group.
Note) From left to right: South Korea, average of Asian countries, Japan, Taiwan
Blue: “can report without fear”, Red: “afraid of retaliation”
South Korea had the lowest percentage of respondents among East Asian countries who said they could report corruption without fear of retaliation. In South Korea, 32.9 percent of the respondents said they would report corruption without fear and 67.0 percent said they feared retaliation. In Japan, 56.0 percent said they were afraid of retaliation, while 39.7 percent said they could report without fear. In Taiwan, 55.9 percent said they feared retaliation and 43.7 percent said they could report without fear. In Asia as a whole, 41.6 percent said they could report without fear.
2) The possibility of the government responding to the corruption report
Regarding the possibility of the government taking appropriate measures if it receives a corruption report, 43.4 percent of South Koreans responded positively, while 56.5 percent responded negatively. In the case of Japan, 62.8 percent expect the government to take appropriate measures, while in Taiwan, 60.0 percent think the government will take appropriate measures, and 77.3 percent in China. Asia as a whole has 60.7 percent of respondents who expect the government to take appropriate action.
In terms of the percentage of people expecting the government to take proper action if they receive corruption reports, South Korea received the lowest score among East Asian countries and a lower score than the average for Asian countries.
7. Citizens and the Government
In regards to the possibility of ordinary citizens affecting anti-corruption activity, 49.0 percent in South Korea, 47.6 percent in Japan and 39.0 percent in Taiwan responded positively. The OECD average is 49.7 percent, yet the score in South Korea is slightly higher than other East Asian countries.
32.9 percent of South Koreans believe ordinary citizens’ opinions influence government policy decisions. Regarding the same question, 28.8 percent in Japan and 34.0 percent in Taiwan responded positively. South Korea’s score is higher than Japan but lower than Taiwan.
62.0 percent of South Koreans agreed that the government takes action for the benefit of the minority in power. Regarding the same question, 59.4 percent in Japan, and 49.5 percent in Taiwan agreed. The average of Asian countries is 55.1 percent. Compared to other Asian countries, South Korea showed the highest percentage of citizens who think the government takes action for the benefit of the minority in power.
[Figure 23] Inclusion of ordinary citizens’ opinions in government policy decisions(International Comparison, %)
8. Conclusion
The GCB is a very large survey of ordinary citizens from around the world. The 2017-2018 survey provides important data for establishing South Korea’s anti-corruption policy, since the large-scale survey targets 162,136 people from 119 countries around the world. While the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is mainly focused on experts on corruption issues and senior corporate executives, the GCB is significant in that it is conducted on ordinary citizens.
To summarize the results of the 2020 Asia Regional Survey,
① South Koreans believe that the level of corruption in South Korea has been improving a lot recently compared to citizens in other countries.
② Corruption levels in different societal areas have improved compared to the 2017 survey. However, the level of corruption among religious leaders has not improved. Compared with the OECD average, the level of corruption in each societal area received a lower score in all areas except that of civil servants and the President/Prime Minister.
③ Of the three East Asian countries(South Korea, Japan and Taiwan), South Korea scored the lowest in terms of trust in the judicature and police. Trust in the government was higher than in Japan and lower than in Taiwan.
④ As for the government’s anti-corruption policy, South Korea scored better than the Japanese and OECD average, and lower than Taiwan.
⑤ Regarding the activities of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, South Korea received higher scores than that of Japan, but lower compared to Taiwan and the average of Asian countries.
⑥ A significant percentage of South Koreans utilize personal connections to solve problems. The percentage of utilizing personal connections is lower than the that of China and the average of Asian countries, but higher than that of Japan and Taiwan. The biggest reason that people use personal connections in work procedures is “to receive fast and good services”.
⑦ South Korea had the lowest percentage of ‘being able to report corruption without fear’ than comparable countries such as Japan and Taiwan. South Koreans are most afraid of retaliation for reporting.
⑧ The expectation that the government will take appropriate measures if it receives corruption reports was also lower than in comparable countries such as Japan and Taiwan.
⑨ Comparing by age group, young Koreans aged 25-34 were most aware of the seriousness of corruption and had low trust in the government. Also, the government’s response to corruption received the most negative assessment from those aged 25 to 34. On the other hand, those aged 65 and older gave generous marks regarding the seriousness of corruption and the government’s response to corruption, and their trust in the government is also higher than that of other age groups.
Translated by Gain Oh