Gyeonggi-do Operates 'Public Interest Whistleblower Lawyers Group' to Promote Anonymous Proxy Reporting

Gyeonggi-do anonymous public interest whistleblower lawyers are taking a commemorative photo after holding a meeting. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is operating a 'Public Interest Whistleblower Lawyers Group' to strengthen the protection of public interest whistleblowers.

On the 26th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will operate the 'Public Interest Whistleblower Lawyers Group,' composed of lawyers appointed for anonymous proxy reporting, to enhance the protection of public interest whistleblowers and to activate proxy reporting through lawyers.

Anonymous proxy reporting is a system where the identity of the internal whistleblower is not disclosed and the report is made under the name of a lawyer appointed by Gyeonggi Province, in order to prevent exposure of the whistleblower’s identity and any disadvantages.

On the 25th, the province held a meeting attended by seven appointed anonymous proxy reporting lawyers and formed the Public Interest Whistleblower Lawyers Group consisting of all 19 appointed anonymous proxy reporting lawyers, electing lawyer Choi Jeong-gyu as the head. The group will regularly discuss the activation of the anonymous proxy reporting system and its institutional limitations.

Lawyer Choi Jeong-gyu, elected as the head, stated, "We will establish regular discussion sessions for the lawyers’ group to strive for the activation of public interest whistleblowing and work hard to protect whistleblowers."

At the meeting, under the theme of strengthening protection for public interest whistleblowers, appointed lawyers were guided on ▲ legal consultations and proxy reporting procedures with whistleblowers ▲ precautions to prevent identity exposure ▲ major reporting cases. There was also time to listen to the difficulties and suggestions regarding proxy reporting from the lawyers.

The attending lawyers proposed measures such as classifying lawyers by region to improve accessibility and specifying criteria for public interest reporting to enhance convenience for whistleblowers, and discussed institutional limitations regarding whistleblowers’ identity exposure.

Additionally, three appointed lawyers who made significant contributions to the protection and support of public interest whistleblowers through anonymous proxy reporting activities last year were awarded commendations.

Choi Eun-soon, the provincial auditor, said, "We hope that internal whistleblowers’ public interest reports on corruption and public interest violations will be activated through the anonymous proxy reporting system," and urged, "Please continue to work hard to protect and support public interest whistleblowers."