Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC)

Establishment

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) was established on 29 February 2008 under the Prime Minister with the enactment of the Act on Anti-Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The ACRC was formed through the consolidation of the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC), which was created in January 2002, with two other commissions--the Ombudsman of Korea and the Administrative Appeals Commission.

Relevant legislation

• The Act on Anti-Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
• The Enforcement Decree of the Act on Anti-Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti- Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
• The Code of Conduct for Public Officials
• The Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers
• The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act

Organization

The Secretariat of the ACRC comprises the Planning and Coordination Office, Ombudsman Bureau, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Administrative Appeals Bureau, and Institutional Improvement Bureau. The ACRC has fifteen commissioners including the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons, and three standing commissioners.

Regional offices:

Number of staff:

484 (Institutional Improvement Bureau 52, Planning and Coordination Office 42, Ombudsman Bureau 124, Anti-Corruption Bureau 106, Administrative Appeals Bureau 58, Anti-Corruption Training Institute 18 & Others 84) as of June 2016

Head of organization:

The chairperson and vice-chairpersons are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The term in office for the commissioners is three years, which may be renewed once.

Annual budget:

Major functions:

The ACRC establishes and coordinates anti-corruption policies, and evaluates the levels of integrity and anti-corruption practices of public-sector organizations.

It makes corruption prevention recommendations to assist public organizations in reducing the likelihood of the occurrence of corrupt conduct. It also conducts the Corruption Impact Assessment, designed to identify and remove possible corruption factors from every bill, as well as from existing legislation.

It receives and handles reports on alleged corrupt conduct and violation of the public interest, and protects and offers rewards for whistleblowers. It also monitors public sector employees" compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

The ACRC carries out a variety of promotional and educational programs to reduce corrupt practices and nurture moral values in society, and assists businesses with ethical management.

In cooperation with relevant organizations in Korea, the ACRC has been making sincere efforts to implement international conventions such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Recently, the ACRC has been active in providing technical assistance for other countries to help build their anti-corruption capacity.

Website:

Contact:

Ms. Yoon So-yeong
Deputy Director, International Relations Division
Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
Government Complex Sejong
20, Doum 5-ro
Sejong, 30102
Republic of Korea
Tel: +82-(0)44-200-7150~7
Fax: +82-(0)44-200-7916
E-mail: yoonsoy@korea.kr

Last updated on 12 July 2016.