"Whistleblower in Kim Hak-ui Case Applies for Protection at Anti-Corruption Commission"

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Begins Review of Protection Requirements for Whistleblowers and Whether to Request Investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials

Former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the 26th that a whistleblower who reported corruption and public interest violations to the ACRC regarding the travel ban on former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui earlier this month has recently applied for protection from the commission.

Under the "Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act" and the "Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Act," if recognized as a whistleblower, the reporter can receive protective measures from the ACRC, including confidentiality, identity protection, personal safety, and exemption from liability.

The ACRC stated that if the investigation finds that the reported content involves corruption allegations against high-ranking public officials requiring criminal investigation and prosecution, it can request an investigation or file a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) or other relevant authorities.

The ACRC is currently verifying and reviewing the facts through procedures such as interviewing the whistleblower. Once the investigation is complete, the commission plans to proceed with protective measures for the whistleblower and decide whether to request an investigation by the CIO in accordance with relevant laws.

Han Samseok, Director of the ACRC's Review and Protection Bureau, said, "With the whistleblower's protection application to the ACRC, we will immediately begin the investigation," adding, "We will take fair follow-up actions based on the investigation results."