Lee Ho-kwon, the first prize winner, "What facilitation fee means in Korea"

The ACRC announced winners of the 1st Integrity Essay Contest, held from July 20 to August 31, to raise public awareness of the importance of integrity and the need to build a more transparent society.

Citizens and public officials submitted a total of 742 essays for the contest, and 23 winners were decided.

Lee Ho-kwon (38) received the first prize with his essay titled, "What facilitation fee means in Korea". "The best present in life" of Park Kisoon (43) was chosen for the category of the general public, and "Professionalism as a public servant and how rewarding a public duty is" of Deputy Director Lee Soo-hoon (57, Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education) for the category of the public sector.

The first price-winning essay, "We really have facilitation fee here in Korea", is about Lee's experience of giving facilitation fee to a public official at an administrative agency for an expedited procedure, only to be told, "Perfectly prepared s are a true facilitation fee," and reflecting on himself.

The list of winners and essays are available on the contest website (www.integritycontents.kr).