Press Release: TI-Korea’s Youth Integrity Survey Results
The majority of young people in Korea are prepared to forgo values of integrity in the pursuit of wealth
“Anti-corruption education is vital in schools and educational institutes to reverse this trend”
Embargo: 10:00 am (Korean time), 23 January 2013
With the support from Transparency International-Secretariat (Berlin, Germany), TI-Korea (South) conducted the Youth Integrity Survey (YIS) between July and October 2012. Through the survey, TI-Korea found following key results: Young people in Korea are more likely to forgo values of integrity in the pursuit of wealth than adults are, with 40% the young people surveyed said that they thought that being rich was more important than being honest, against 31% of adults. Our survey identified 3 main sources of influence: education system/school, their family circle,.) and media
It is worrying to see that so many young people willing to relax their integrity for the sake of getting a good job, high position, and more riches. This puts young people in a vulnerable position in Korea, at risk of being both victims and perpetrators when taking exams, passing a job interview, getting a document or license, or evading the police (such as fines, etc.). This creates an un-level playing field for all young people and for Korean society as they become leaders in business and politics.
It is clear from the results of our survey, that there is a need for young people in Korea to be provided with ethical role models, moral standards and an ethical education in order to rebalance the views of this generation. And with our survey also identifying the education sector as a key sphere of influence for young people and one which is held in high regard with respect to the integrity of educational institutions, a key message for the new government is that it is imperative and an opportune time to establish anti-corruption and/or integrity related education and policies to be implemented as soon as possible in all levels of education in various educational settings in both public and private institutions. Dr. & Rev. Kim Geo-Sung, the TI-Korea’s Chairperson urged that “Anti-corruption and integrity education are essential and necessary in school curriculum and education institutes.”
Background to survey
The Youth Integrity questionnaire is originally made by TI-Korea and developed by TI-Secretariat. Young volunteers conducted the survey to more than 2,000 persons (1,031 youths and 981 adults), in the areas/regions of Wonju, Suwon, Namyangju, Yongin, Guri, Ansan and Seoul. Since Seoul (the capital city) accommodates the largest population, it was divided into four major areas: the North, East, West and South. TI-Korea, anti-corruption activists, K-PACT Council members, youth volunteers (university/college students, recent graduates, high school students), and Hyundae Research Institute (data analysis), among others conducted and took part in the whole process of the survey.
Transparency International-Korea (South)
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