By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The world is busy implementing economic rescue plans to reinvigorate the economy with massive government funding, and South Korea is no exception, with the government mulling over pumping nearly three trillion won ($2.1 billion) into the economy via a range of public projects to create more jobs.
To double the effect of the economic stimulus plans, Chairman Yang Kun of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) stressed that anti-corruption efforts should be made at the same time.
``Some may think we should slow down anti-corruption campaigns to revive the economy first, but it's not right,'' he said in an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of his inauguration.
``Many models show us that national income goes up in accordance with transparency. That is, a wealthy country tends to be transparent and a transparent state becomes rich,'' said Yang, 62, a former law professor at Hanyang University in Seoul.
This year, the ACRC is more eagerly seeking to eradicate corruption in order to prevent the temptation for the misuse of government funding.
Yang also said that Korea will continue to help Southeast Asian countries spearhead corruption-free campaigns.
It advised Indonesia, Bangladesh and Bhutan on how to boost social transparency last year by instructing them on its own corruption measurement and prevention systems.
``This year, we hope to share our experience to eradicate corruption with more developing countries,'' he said.
Yet, the ACRC's goal is not just being on top among Asian or developing nations.
``Considering Korea is the world's 13th largest economy, I think its transparency level lags far behind,'' he said. ``We will continue efforts to help become an advanced, transparent country by 2012.''
The presidential commission was launched after the inauguration of President Lee Myung-bak in early 2008 through a merger of the Ombudsman of Korea, the Korea Independent Commission against Corruption and the Administrative Appeals Commission with the goal of offering integrated services.
Thus, its mission includes addressing civil complaints and petitions.
The chairman proudly said that the ACRC has provided civil services on- and off-line, helping lift or ease irrational regulations and improve complicated administrative procedures.
``As for 110 call centers, we accept complaints from foreigners and help them find solutions in 20 foreign languages,'' he said.
As the economic downturn hits the nation, an increasing number of citizens, Yang said, ask about how to get severance pay or become entitled to the government's livelihood subsidy.
To help convenient troubleshooting for the people, the organization also began to take civil complaints through its online service center, People's Online Petition & Discussion Portal.
The system (www.epeople.go.kr) was launched in June 2006 before the merger of the three commissions, which dealt with anti-corruption issues and administrative appeals.
It's not a simple window to accept civil complaints only, Yang asserted.
The rights panel distributes reported complaints and petitions to ministries and other government offices.
It also posts updates on the online service offered in three foreign languages in a bid to help those with grievances and petitioners track the status of their complaints.
In recognition of its convenience and effectiveness, the system won the Best Demonstration Stand Award at the 2008 e-Challenges Conference & Exhibition in Sweden.
Chairman Yang also promised that his commission will advise foreign workers on legal solutions to business-related problems through its On-Site Complaint Desk.
Last year, ACRC officials visited industrial complexes nationwide and learned about their labor issues, such as overdue wages and immigration service-related difficulties.
``Our on-site inspection to listen to their voices will continue this year,'' he said.
The agency held two rounds of a policy presentation meeting for foreign businesses last December and this month to hear about their complaints and difficulties in doing business here.
``Foreign CEOs were more excited about the meeting than we expected. In the latest meeting, they presented various opinions and ideas, outrunning the time allotted,'' he said. ``We plan to have such meetings more frequently this year.''
Entering its second year, the ACRC is seeking to broaden its popular support while improving existing work programs.
``We are considering scores of ways to protect civil rights, especially rights of war veterans, North Korean defectors and international families,'' he said.