By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

An international organization fighting corruption has urged Korea to restore its independent anti-corruption body and continuously implement its transparency pact.

Transparency International (TI) adopted a resolution for Korea at its annual membership meeting held in Athens this week, expressing its concerns about the weakening and retrogression of anti-corruption initiatives in Korea.

``We are gravely concerned about the significant weakening of vital anti-corruption initiatives in South Korea. We have witnessed how in many countries a lack of transparency, integrity and accountability easily becomes key factors in the failure of a country's sustainable development and weakens confidence in the international community,'' TI said.

The organization highly recognized Korea's past anti-corruption strategies. ``The establishment of the Korea Independent Commission against Corruption (KICAC) in 2002, the launch of the Korean Pact for Anti-Corruption and Transparency (K-PACT) in 2005 and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in 2006, are outstanding models for the entire region. It is therefore with astonishment and deep concern that we now observe South Korea negating its policies and dismantling its own anti-corruption initiatives since the new government took office in February of 2008.''

On Feb. 29, the Lee Myung-bak administration merged the KICAC with several other agencies, and civic groups denounced the weakened anti-corruption activity. On the same day, the National Assembly ratified the Article 6 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which obliges all ratifying countries to set up an independent anti-corruption body.

K-PACT, made in March 2005, is a non-binding social agreement for anti-corruption drives of the government, business and civic sectors. But in May, the Lee administration said it would stop participating in the K-PACT council.

The DAPA was set up in 2006 to enhance transparency in arms purchases, but the government is considering abolishing it.

TI recommended Korea strengthen anti-corruption initiatives and continue K-PACT. ``The Korean government should restore the national independent anti-corruption body, in compliance with the UN convention, which it ratified in February. The National Assembly should also prioritize anti-corruption legislation. Signatories of the K-PACT should continue to implement its provisions and fight corruption.''

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr