□ In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on January 30 by the Transparency International (TI), Korea scored 63 points on a maximum of 100 points and ranked 32^nd out of 180 countries and territories.

* (2019) 59 points → (2020) 61 points → (2021) 62 points → (2022) 63 points → (2023) 63 points

Korea maintained its score, consistent with the previous year, and went down by a notch as Cabo Verde improved (35^th → 30^th), placing above Korea. Among the OECD members, Korea secured the 22^nd place, continuing from the previous year.

The CPI released every year by the TI based in Berlin, Germany since 1995 measures the perceived level of corruption in the public and political sector in a country on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 meaning highly corrupt and 100 meaning very clean. According to an explanation from the TI, the rank is not as important as the score in terms of indicating the level of corruption in that country.

□ The result of the 2023 CPI may be attributable to: ▲ the solidification of anti-corruption laws and institutions, such as the Anti-Graft Act and Conflict of Interest Prevention Act; ▲ the efforts to prevent leakage of public finances through strengthened management of subsidies and preventing irregular disbursements; and ▲ proactive responses to social corruption issues such as irregularities in hiring practices since the current government took office, in accordance with consistent anti-corruption policies based on laws and principles.

It was analyzed that the score has not increased compared to the previous year and remain unchanged due to power-related corruption, such as the National Election Commission’s preferential hiring of high-ranking officials’ children that have deepened the relative sense of deprivation among the citizens, exerting a negative impact on both domestic and international perceptions.

□ However, thanks to the government’s sustained efforts and achievements in pursuing anti-corruption policies, the international community’s perception of the level of corruption in Korea has been steadily improving.

For instance, in the 2023 Index of Public Integrity (IPI) recently released in January 2024 by the European Research Center for Anti-corruption and State-Building (ERCAS), Korea achieved its highest ranking ever, securing the 15^th position out of 119 countries globally and ranking 1^st in the Asian region.

In addition, in the Bribery Risk Matrix (BRM) of TRACE International based in the U.S. measuring the likelihood of encountering bribe demands when doing business in a given jurisdiction, Korea ranked 19^th out of 194 countries, classified as the country group of ‘very low risk’ in terms of bribery risk, receiving continuously positive evaluation.

Corruption control assessments based on data, such as the Index of Public Integrity (IPI) and Bribery Risk Matrix (BRM), aim to enhance the objectivity of evaluations, forming a complementary relationship with the CPI, which is grounded in experts’ and business professionals’ subjective perceptions.

□ Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Yoo Cheol-hwan) plans to concentrate its efforts on the following anti-corruption policies to propel South Korea into a recognized advanced nation in terms of integrity.

Firstly, the Commission plans to actively address urgent and significant corruption issues, such as power abuse and cartel corruption, inspect and improve customary corrupt practices at the local level, and enhance the management of public finance misappropriation by focusing on vulnerable areas of public finance, ensuring that national finances are not wasted.

Secondly, the Commission plans to rationalize regulations that may be inconsistent with the reality within anti-corruption norms, such as the Improper Solicitations and Graft Act to enhance the effectiveness of institutional operations. Additionally, ACRC will strengthen the sharing and utilization of data accumulated in comprehensive anti-corruption platforms like the Clean Portal, proactively identifying and addressing areas vulnerable to corruption.

Thirdly, the Commission will strengthen the detection of recruitment irregularities through comprehensive investigations into public service-related organizations and focused inquiries into oversight blind spots. This involves enhancing efforts to uncover recruitment corruption and fundamentally addressing irregularities in recruitment regulations. Additionally, there will be a focus on promoting integrity education for elected and high-ranking officials, as well as the younger generation, and efforts will be made to enhance protection and support for whistleblowers reporting corruption and public interest violations, with the aim of spreading a culture of integrity throughout society.

Lastly, the Commission plans to objectively and accurately communicate Korea's underrated anti-corruption policies and achievements to international experts and businesspeople, and take a proactive role in leading international anti-corruption initiatives, participating in forums such as the UN, OECD, G20, and actively promoting Korea’s anti-corruption practices to enhance the national image.

□ ACRC Chairperson Yoo Cheol-hwan said, “The ACRC will do its best to uphold the law and principles and strive to realize a transparent and fair society that aligns with common sense among the public for the continuous improvement of Korea’s performance in the Corruption Perceptions Index.”

□ refers to 38 OECD members