No Second LH Scandal... Anti-Corruption Commission to Accept Concentrated Reports of Public Officials' Speculation Until End of June

Kwonikwi Emphasizes "Whistleblower Confidentiality"

A banner condemning the forced land expropriation posted on a road in Gwarim-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 4th. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on the 4th that it will accept concentrated reports of speculative acts related to public officials' duties until the end of June.

This comes amid allegations that employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) engaged in land speculation worth billions of won in the Gwangmyeong and Siheung new towns using information obtained during their work. It is interpreted as a follow-up to President Moon Jae-in's directive to conduct a full investigation of illegal land transactions involving LH, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, related agency employees, and their families.

The entire third-phase new town land development project areas such as Gwangmyeong and Siheung, as well as real estate-related corruption and public interest infringement acts in regional development projects promoted by local public corporations like Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) and Gyeonggi Housing and Communities Corporation (GH), are the main targets for concentrated reporting.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission also requested reports on public officials' real estate speculation using insider information, providing or leaking insider information to others, and other acts of seeking benefits using duty-related information.

Reports can be submitted by visiting the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's Comprehensive Civil Complaint Counseling Center in the Government Complex Sejong or the Government Joint Civil Complaint Center in Jongno, Seoul, or by mail. Reporting is also possible through the Integrity Portal, and consultation related to reporting can be received by calling 1398 or 110 without an area code.

The Commission plans to file complaints or transfer cases to investigative or audit agencies if the reported content is recognized as corruption or public interest infringement requiring investigation or audit.

Anyone can report, and the confidentiality of the reporter is strictly guaranteed. According to the Commission, if the reporter does not agree to disclose their identity, their personal information will not be shared even when the case is transferred to investigative agencies.

The Commission will restore the original state if any disadvantageous measures occur due to reporting, and provide personal protection measures if threats to life or body arise. If illegal acts by the reporter are found, reductions in criminal or disciplinary penalties are possible, and if a request for exemption from responsibility is made, the disciplinary authority will be asked to reduce or exempt penalties.

Han Samseok, Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau at the Commission, emphasized, "The 'Public Officials Conflict of Interest Prevention Act,' currently pending in the National Assembly, must be promptly enacted and implemented to prevent a 'second LH incident.'" He argued that a system to prevent conflicts of interest between public and private interests in duties must be established to prevent such incidents in advance.