An anti-corruption expert said, "Korea is a leader in the global anti-corruption movement"

February 19, 2018

KBS News

The Republic of Korea

Professor Andrew Spalding, an anti-corruption expert of the School of Law of Richmond University, who visited Korea to attend an anti-corruption international conference, said in his article posted on February 16 (local time) on "FCPA Blog," which is a media outlet specialized in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), "Its landmark Kim Young Ran Act (Improper Solicitation and Graft Act), and the aggressive enforcement actions of the last year, distinguish the country as a leader in the global anti-corruption movement."

Spalding also said, "Traditionally known as an economic 'Asian tiger,' South Korea may now be an anti-corruption tiger."

Spalding diagnosed the tragic ferry accident that killed more than 300 people in 2014 as the decisive catalyst for Korea's anti-corruption movement. According to him, "South Korea’s highly respected former Supreme Court Justice, Kim Young Ran, had already drafted an anti-corruption bill" and the public outcry from the accident when the fact that diverse safety rules were not properly followed due to corruption "created the necessary political will and, in 2015, the landmark Kim Young Ran Act was passed."

Professor Spalding pointed out the prohibition of giving gifts beyond a very little price to public officials, whose definition includes journalists and even teachers, and the introduction of corporate liability that holds the criminal liability of employers for bribery violations that their employees commit, as the two most noteworthy changes among many changes that the Kim Young-ran Act will bring to Korean law and society.

Other than their extensive survey about Korea's anti-corruption movement, the team of professor Spalding also directly visited Korea to interview a big group of relevant people including lawyers, government officials, and people from social groups. The team will announce the result of their survey and research at an Olympic studies academic conference and a meeting at Yonsei University Law School in Korea. Spalding said that former Justice Kim Young-ran will attend the meeting at Yonsei University.

The research team said on the web-site of the Richmond School of Law, "Though South Korea’s corruption scandals garner the world’s attention, few appreciate the fundamental legal and cultural changes those scandals reflect. The impeachment of President Park, the conviction of Samsung leader Lee Jae-yong, passage of the important Kim Young Ran law, and many related events show a country now at an historic pivot."

The team assessed Korean society by saying, "Corruption traditionally tolerated or even sanctioned is today condemned and prosecuted. Though seemingly a state in crisis, South Korea is now making important advances in the promoting the rule of law."