Suwon City Achieves 'Highest Grade' in Integrity for Second Consecutive Year

Suwon City Hall

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province received the highest rating among city-level local governments for two consecutive years in the '2021 Public Institution Integrity Evaluation' conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

On the 9th, Suwon City announced that it received a 'Grade 2 (Excellent)' in this year's public institution integrity evaluation. Since no local government among the 75 cities nationwide received a Grade 1 overall integrity rating in this evaluation, Grade 2 is the highest rating.

Last year, Suwon City received Grade 2, the highest rating (as no local government received Grade 1), achieving the result of 'highest integrity rating for two consecutive years.'

Suwon City's overall integrity score was 8.22 out of 10, which is 0.26 points higher than the average for city-level local governments (7.96). The external integrity score was 8.54, up 0.03 points from the previous year (8.51), earning Grade 2. The internal integrity score was 7.42, down 0.15 points from the previous year (7.57), earning Grade 3.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission calculates public institution integrity by reflecting the results of internal and external integrity surveys and the occurrence of corruption incidents.

In this evaluation, Suwon City’s internal integrity measurement area 'Personnel Affairs Integrity' (9.23) increased by 0.69 points compared to the previous year (8.54).

In the survey conducted among external complainants, there were no responses indicating "experience of providing money, entertainment, or convenience to Suwon City public officials," resulting in a high score in the external integrity area 'Corruption Experience.'

This year, Suwon City established and implemented the '2021 Comprehensive Plan for Integrity Improvement,' consisting of three areas and 15 detailed tasks: ▲ Establishment and management reinforcement of integrity improvement systems ▲ Establishment of an integrity culture through voluntary participation ▲ Promotion of integrity policies that citizens can feel.

To enhance fairness and transparency in the contract sector, continuous efforts were made, and internally, transparency in personnel management was strengthened by regularly disclosing personnel information.

To raise public officials' awareness of integrity, integrity education was conducted by rank and job, and each department appointed and operated an 'Integrity Keeper.' Additionally, the corruption risk of executives at Grade 5 and above was diagnosed through an external agency, and a 'Integrity Pledge Relay Challenge' was conducted for senior officials to promote the spread of an integrity culture.

Meanwhile, Suwon Urban Corporation received an excellent rating (Grade 2) in the integrity evaluation for public-related organizations (local corporations and public enterprises). Since no organization received a Grade 1 overall integrity rating in this evaluation, Grade 2 is the highest rating.

A Suwon City official said, "Integrity is an absolutely important value for public officials," and added, "We will not be swayed by the evaluation results but will continuously strive to improve integrity."