[2020 National Audit] Two out of Three Internal Police Whistleblowing Cases Ended Without Investigation

Public Interest Whistleblowing Increases Annually... 205 Cases Over 7 Years
National Police Agency Announces Recent 'Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Measures'

Han Byung-do, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo provided by the member's office

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been pointed out that over the past seven years, 205 whistleblowing cases have been reported within the police, but only 14 disciplinary actions have been taken.

According to the National Assembly audit data submitted by the National Police Agency to Han Byung-do, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, a total of 205 internal police whistleblowing cases were reported from 2014 to this year. However, disciplinary actions were taken in only 14 cases (6%), while 134 cases (65%) were closed without punishment.

The number of internal whistleblowing reports increased annually: 10 cases in 2014, 17 in 2015, 19 in 2016, 23 in 2017, 36 in 2018, and 52 in 2019. Up to September this year, 48 cases have been reported.

By action status, closure without punishment accounted for the largest number with 134 cases (65%), followed by warnings and cautions at 40 cases (19.5%), and disciplinary actions at 14 cases (6%). Seventeen cases, including 3 reported in 2019 and 14 reported this year, are currently under investigation.

The National Police Agency previously announced a "Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Plan" that includes strengthening whistleblower protection through proxy reporting systems and the use of pseudonymous statements, as well as establishing internal reporting channels to promote internal whistleblowing. This plan also includes the creation of a dedicated internal corruption investigation unit directly under the provincial police chiefs, the introduction of a performance evaluation system for police station chiefs, and a regular rotation personnel system for senior officers at the rank of commissioner general and above.

Representative Han stated, "The internal whistleblowing system is a self-purification measure against corrupt practices within the police, but its effectiveness is declining as two out of three cases are closed without punishment. Since the National Police Agency recently announced measures against internal corruption, this should be an opportunity to strive to become a clean police force."