In 2010, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) provided 33 whistleblowers with about 606 million won (roughly USD 600 thousand) as financial rewards and awards, recovering more than 4.5 billion won (about USD 4.5 million) as a result of their whistleblowing.

Mr. A reported to the ACRC a case involving a company suspected of defrauding the government. After receiving a government subsidy to conduct a research project for developing low-pollution diesel engines, the company defrauded the government of the research fund by inflating the cost of fuel and other materials.  Mr. A's whistleblowing resulted in recovering 1.5 billion won from the ill-gotten gains, and providing the whistleblower with a financial reward of over 178 million won.

Mr. B received a 9.25 million won reward after blowing the whistle on a social welfare organization which siphoned off a government subsidy by keeping a second set of books for food purchase.

Mr. C's whistleblowing involved an illegal transfer of the leasehold of public housing. His whistleblowing led to the prosecution of 32 persons and amendment of the enforcement decree on rental housing to prevent illegal transfer of the leasehold. In recognition of his contributions, the ACRC awarded Mr. C 20 million won.

The ACRC does not only provide rewards and awards for whistleblowers to encourage the act of reporting corruption, but it also makes efforts to guarantee the employment, physical protection, and confidentiality of whistleblowers so that they may not suffer from any disadvantage as a result of their whistleblowing.

Since last April, the ACRC has extended legal and medical aid to whistleblowers, who need to designate counsels or suffer from mental distress, with support from the Korean Bar Association and the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.  The ACRC plans to bolster its efforts to protect whistleblowers and encourage whistleblowing by expanding support for whistleblowers in 2011.

Under the Act on Anti-Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the ACRC, in case that the reporting of corruption directly contributed to recovering or increasing revenues or reducing costs of public agencies, the whistleblower may receive a maximum reward of 2 billion won (USD1.5 million) or 4~20% of the recovered money.

One may also receive a monetary award up to 100 million won if his or her whistleblowing resulted in bringing significant financial benefits or preventing financial damage to a public organization, or served the public interest.