Independent anti-corruption commission
By Kim Geo-sung
In the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International on Dec. 3, Korea sits in 46th place out of 177 countries, with a score of 55 out of 100.
Compared to last year, Korea’s score has dropped one point, and its place has also dropped by one spot. Seeing the self-deprecating remarks of netizens like “Even this score is too high,” I am left with only a sense of shame.
When using taxpayer money for their own special political benefits, government institutions invariably move maliciously, carrying out systematic, imagination-defying crimes of corruption.
In this way, hundreds of thousands won, if not millions of won, is embezzled or misappropriated for personal gain. All of these crimes are condemnable, but how can we discipline, how can we punish, the people responsible?
Dec. 9 has been designated as International Anti-Corruption Day. This day also commemorates the Dec. 9, 2003, signing of the U.N. Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and is a day that reaffirms the importance of values such as integrity, transparency and accountability.
Korea’s National Assembly approved the ratification of UNCAC in 2008, and so Korea is one of the now 168 signatories of the convention. However, whether or not Korea, as one of the signatory countries, can properly fulfill its required duties under the convention remains to be seen.
According to UNCAC, for signatory countries to perform their obligations effectively and without unwarranted interference, the existence of corruption prevention organizations, endowed with the required level of independence, must be guaranteed (Article 6).
However, in 2008 the Lee Myung-bak government dissolved the previously existing Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption, undermining its functionality by merging it with organizations like the Ombudsmen of Korea and the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, to create the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.
With the establishment of the new commission, which is administered by the Prime Minister, it is hard to expect any kind of independence.
In reality, there has been no sign whatsoever of the commission raising its voice over the countless cases of suspected corruption that have arisen in the post-2008 political environment.
Furthermore, whenever the public raises complaints and question government policy; whenever suspicions are raised regarding the corruption of major candidates for office; or whenever suspicions are raised about cabinet ministers using an official credit card for private purposes, like on holidays or for family birthdays, we never know the details about what kind of problem takes place.
UNCAC is not a treasure to be put away in the closet. It must be taken out and used right away. If the government has any will at all to oppose corruption, then it must first set up an independent anti-corruption organization, as prescribed under the UNCAC obligations.
If this is done then proper anti-corruption policy can be established and enforced, and we can cry out with confidence, “No!” when opposing corruption. Through these efforts we can convey messages of hope and comfort to those walking down a rough road.
Everyone must gather and move forward together if we want to become a genuinely “law-abiding” society that does not condone those who commit corrupt acts but still flaunt their strength and wriggle and squirm like a fish to get free.
Dr. Kim Geo-sung is chairperson of Transparency International Korea. His email address is gs@ti.or.kr.
Source: http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2013/12/137_148583.html