Corruption in Korea society has been reduced by general changes in society since 1990s, including democracy politically and socially and revitalization of civil society. However, the country remains underdeveloped regarding corruption when compared wi...
Corruption in Korea society has been reduced by general changes in society since 1990s, including democracy politically and socially and revitalization of civil society. However, the country remains underdeveloped regarding corruption when compared with advanced countries whose economies are similar to Korea's. This also can be seen in the Corruption Perceptions Index from the 2009 report released by Transparency International. Therefore, this research investigates the criminal approach centered on the Corruption Prevention Act, the fundamental law on corruption for direct control among corruption-related laws.
The general Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, whistleblower protection, the criminal justice system and criminal forfeiture have been dealt with as the problem of the current corruption-related laws. Accordingly, anti-corruption system should be improved and major details are as follows.
1. Integration of legal systems concerning corruption control
It's stipulated in some articles (Section 8 to the penalty, Article from 86 to 91) of the current Corruption Prevention Act, but in reality there are more punishment regulations under other laws. Therefore, regulations for corruption punishment scattered among various laws need to be integrated into the Corruption Prevention Act or the source of laws referring to punishment regulations for corruption in the Corruption Prevention Act should be stated.
2. Exposing corruption and strengthening punishment
If the official system including regulations is to be important meaning and to take root as a system, the foremost necessary condition is strict law enforcement. To strictly enforce corruption-related laws, a possibility of disclosure should be raised by the judicial authorities and thorough and consistent punishment for violators is needed.
3. Strengthening the compensation and incentive system for reporting corruption
The secret public disclosure system for corruption needs to be compensated in the law and regulations. The range of reporting capable to be protected as a public disclosure should be widely applied. Moreover, reasonable and legal compensation for reporting and strict punishment for discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers should also be implemented.
4. Expanding the range of corruption
The current Corruption Prevention Act is for governmental officials. This law being limited to governmental officials is not enough to deal with actively and aggressively fighting corruption but the more society democratizes and the functions of civil society are increased, the more the watchdog system for public officials develops. Several countries already have a Corruption Prevention Act not only for governmental officials but for the general public. Therefore, it's important that the Corruption Prevention Act should be amended and applied for both governmental officials and the general public for the capability of civil society to be strengthened and the power between civil society and the nation to be balanced.
5. Establishment of a special investigative organization
There is no organization to investigate high-ranking officials involved in corruption under the current Corruption Prevention Act, so suspected corruption is investigated by the prosecutors. The investigation into top ranking officials by the prosecution was not always enough because of corrupt investigations in Korea. It has been reported that the National Assembly has actively discussed the establishment of a special investigative organization in the aftermath of the recent sponsor investigation. It is regarded appropriate to establish a special investigative organization as an independent organization to eradicate corruption among high-ranking officials..
6. Tightening criminal forfeiture system
Under the Criminal Forfeiture System in Korea, only forfeiture by detectives is acceptable. However, the Criminal Forfeiture System is could operate more effectively for Korean society in a way similar to U.S. criminal forfeiture system. In particular an expansion of the range of asset forfeitures and prerequisite crimes, a decrease in the burden of proof of enforcement agencies, compensation for crime victimization through criminal forfeiture, and investment of funds from criminal forfeiture are all things to consider in order to introduce a U.S. criminal forfeiture systems. This could be greatly help in the prevention of corruption.