December 10, 2014


In commemoration of "International Anti-Corruption Day" on December 9

On December 9, in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day designated by the UN, the ACRC held the "Korea-UK Anti-Corruption Seminar" at Ferrum Tower in Seoul, to share the anti-corruption policies of Korea and the UK and to raise public awareness of anti-corruption and integrity.

The seminar is a part of the Korea-UK Anti-Corruption Partnership Initiative, which the ACRC has been implementing for one year since April. Speakers from governments, civil society, legal circles, and academia from both countries made presentations and shared opinions under the themes of prevention of bribery, recovery of the proceeds of corruption & fraud, and protection for whistleblowers.

In his welcome remarks, ACRC Chairman Sungbo Lee introduced the new bills that the ACRC is working for enactment, "The Bill on the Prevention of Illegal Solicitation and Conflict of Interest" and "The Bill on the Prevention of False Claims of Public Funds."

The chairman stated, "These laws would lay the firm ground for establishing government and social systems to address our corruption-prone practices and culture, leading to an enhanced level of integrity of Korea."

Chairman Lee added that the seminar would provide a precious opportunity for Korea to take a closer look at the UK's anti-corruption policies and achievements to take valuable lessons for an effective reform.

British Ambassador to Korea Scott Wightman said that the UK government is resolutely committed to tackling corruption at home and overseas and that on December 9 it published the UK's own Anti-Corruption Plan.

Ambassador Wightman added, "The global scourge of corruption cannot be tackled in isolation. Only through partnerships such as the Korea-UK Anti-Corruption Partnership Initiative can progress be made."

Supported by British Embassy Seoul and UN Global Compact Korea Network, the seminar was attended by about 200 participants from public and private companies, foreign companies in Korea, and the concerned agencies.

According to the result of the participant survey, 82% of the respondents expected that the Bill on the Prevention of Illegal Solicitation & Conflict of Interest would contribute to reducing corruption in the public sector by eliminating illegal solicitation and influence-peddling. Roughly 84% said that the Bill on Prevention of False Claims of Public Funds would help to prevent the loss of public funds. More than 91% replied that Korea's anti-bribery legislation should be made as strict as the UK Bribery Act 2010, while some 88% said that Korea's system to tackle benefit fraud should be made as robust as the UK's system.

As part of "Anti-Corruption Week" events, the ACRC organized an anti-corruption campaign in 4 cities (Seoul, Daegu, Ansan & Changwon) on 9-11 December with the Korean Network on Anti-Corruption and Transparency (K-NACT). It also supported the organization of anti-corruption seminars on December 9-10 for students of Korea University, members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and alumni of British universities in Korea.

The ACRC is planning to hold another anti-corruption seminar for Korean companies in the UK and British companies in March 2015 in London.