Institutions with Perfect Scores in 'Business Expense Transparency' Disclose Payments by the Minute

Full Transparency Survey on Government Ministries' 'Business Promotion Expenses'
Ministries of Economy and Finance, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Statistics Korea, and 11 Others Score Perfectly
Senior Officials Fully Disclose Even Company Names Transparently

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Song Seung-seop] Through the disclosure survey on business promotion expenses conducted by Asia Economy, poor and sloppy disclosures by major power institutions were gradually revealed, but there were also ministries that received perfect scores. [Reference article: [Exclusive] 'Slush Fund' Transparency, Presidential Office and National Security Office at the Bottom] The institutions with perfect scores disclosed detailed business promotion expense details meticulously according to principles and rules.

The criteria for this survey included 10 items: user entity, date, time, location, purpose, individual amount, number of people, payment method, disclosure frequency (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually), and disclosure by senior officials (department or bureau chief level and above). Scores were given as X (0 points), △ (0.5 points), and ○ (1 point), with higher total scores indicating more transparent ministries. Meeting all conditions without omission results in a perfect score of 10 points.

The surveyed institutions included the Presidential Office, Prime Minister's Office organizations, and all government agencies (18 ministries, 4 offices, 18 agencies, and 6 committees). Among the 58 surveyed institutions, 11 ministries (Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Statistics Korea, Korea Meteorological Administration, Korea Coast Guard, Korea Communications Commission, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Personnel Management, Ministry of Government Legislation, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and Nuclear Safety and Security Commission) achieved perfect scores.

These institutions recorded not only the date but also the time of business promotion expense payments down to the minute. The payment locations were disclosed according to the amount, including store names or companies, and the number of people sharing the expenses was also revealed. Senior officials classified as key department or bureau chiefs, along with ministers and vice ministers, disclosed their business promotion expenses under the same standards. All disclosures were conducted monthly.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which scored 9 points, did not achieve a perfect score but stood out for its disclosure method. In an easily viewable organizational chart, clicking on the desired department allowed users to easily see the business promotion expenses of the department head.