The ACRC joined the ACA Forum on May 24

The ACRC introduced the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, in addition to its other activities and achievements regarding anti-corruption policies, at the Asia-Pacific Anti-Corruption Agency Forum (ACA Forum) held on May 24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ACA Forum is held to promote cooperation among the anti-corruption bodies in the Asia-Pacific region, and to improve their anti-corruption capacity. During the forum, hosted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, thirty high-level officials in charge of anti-corruption agencies in twelve countries spoke about the role of society in fighting against corruption and building integrity.

In his speech, ACRC Standing Commissioner Mr. Park Gye-ok introduced the purpose of enacting the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, its major articles, and social changes caused by its enactment.

Park announced that “85% of respondents to a survey conducted in last December showed a high-level of the public support for the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. It has been only eight months since the law took effect, but now there is a widespread consensus that any abnormal practice, no matter how small it is, should not be tolerated.”

He also highlighted the role of the leaders of the anti-corruption agencies, saying “It is important for us to find ways to meet such widespread public demand for ending corruption and enhancing integrity.”

In addition to this, Park explained the various anti-corruption activities and outcomes promoted by the Korean government, such as the launch of the Center for Reporting Public Subsidy Fraud, the revision of the Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers, the Integrity Assessment, and the launch of the Korean Network on Anti-Corruption and Transparency (KNACT).

In a paper presentation session on the same day, ACRC officials elaborated major articles of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act as well as the organization’s experiences in the enactment and enforcement processes. Anti-corruption efforts exerted in every corner of Korean society were shared throughout the session.

One ACRC official pledged that “The ACRC, as an ACA Forum secretariat, will actively promote the Korean government’s efforts in enhancing integrity and will take the lead in setting agenda in order to strengthen its status as a leading anti-corruption body.”