Police Agency Announces 'Mid- to Long-Term Anti-Corruption Promotion Plan'... "Top 10 Global Integrity Police in 10 Years"

5 Basic Principles, 4 Major Areas, 16 Tasks

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency is announcing the mid- to long-term anti-corruption promotion plan at the National Police Agency briefing room on the morning of the 14th. [Photo by National Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the morning of the 14th, the National Police Agency announced the 'Mid- to Long-term Anti-Corruption Promotion Plan' at the police headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. This announcement was made directly by Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and Kim Byung-seop, a professor at Seoul National University who serves as the chairman of the Police Anti-Corruption Council.

Through this plan, the police presented the vision and short- and long-term goals of their anti-corruption policy: "Grade 1 Integrity in the 2022 Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission evaluation, and a top 10 global integrity police force by 2032." They also revealed five fundamental principles and core values: ▲blocking opportunities for corruption ▲punishing external corruption attempts ▲reducing benefits of corruption ▲enhancing detectability of corruption ▲improving organizational culture.

Specifically, to prevent concerns about collusion, the plan strengthens the 'Retired Police Officers’ Private Contact Reporting System' and the 'Prohibition of Incident Inquiries Between Staff' system. In particular, the reporting period for private contacts with police-affiliated lawyers and others will be extended from 3 years to 5 years after retirement. In line with the implementation of the autonomous police system, to minimize attempts at collusion with local influential forces, the plan includes operating a high-ranking personnel exchange system, and in the long term, securing the term of office for each provincial police chief and converting the Audit and Inspection Officer position to an open recruitment system.

[Source=National Police Agency]

Additionally, the budget for rewards for internal corruption reporting will be increased, and special promotions and salary increases will be granted to outstanding anti-corruption personnel. For those involved in corrupt acts, strict measures will be taken through the 'One Strike Out System,' including disciplinary and investigative actions, confiscation of corruption proceeds, and strengthening restrictions on key positions.

Furthermore, the police will operate focused reporting periods to activate whistleblowing, establish an investigative misconduct inspection system within the National Investigation Headquarters, and create dedicated anti-corruption organizations at the headquarters and provincial police agencies. In particular, similar to the Anti-Corruption Council at the headquarters, anti-corruption policy consultative bodies composed of civilian members will be formed at the provincial police agencies.

Chairman Kim Byung-seop stated, "This plan was prepared after in-depth review to drastically improve police integrity," and added, "We will continuously monitor the implementation status of this plan." Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong emphasized, "We will faithfully implement the details of this plan to become a trustworthy and integrity-driven police force for the public."