Gwangju City Ranks Joint 1st in Integrity Among Nationwide Metropolitan Governments

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Ki-jung) ranked joint first in integrity among the 17 metropolitan local governments nationwide.

Gwangju City announced on the 26th that it received a grade 2 in the "2022 Comprehensive Integrity Measurement of Public Institutions" conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

The rating improved from grade 5 in 2020 to grade 3 in 2021, and now to grade 2 in this evaluation.

This rise in integrity is the result of multifaceted efforts including the establishment and implementation of anti-corruption promotion plans, the establishment of anti-corruption systems, enhancement of the effectiveness of anti-corruption integrity education, efforts and leadership of the head of the institution and senior officials, and the revision of anti-corruption laws and regulations.

The integrity effort area, which achieved grade 1 (1st place among 17 cities and provinces), also led the improvement in integrity.

The Audit Committee operates the "Integrity Happy Call" to increase external perception of integrity.

They listen to inconveniences and suggestions from about 4,000 related persons involved in construction, subsidies, and civil affairs, and for areas with low satisfaction, the "Integrity Mobile Team" is deployed to identify causes and take measures to improve the relevant departments.

Over 6,000 integrity alert text messages were sent to guide administrative procedures and encourage reporting of misconduct experienced during the civil complaint handling process.

To improve internal perception of integrity, they conducted ▲ integrity discussion meetings for senior officials ▲ relay integrity pledge video production ▲ integrity practice declaration ceremonies ▲ continuous integrity learning ▲ integrity education for all employees ▲ integrity morning broadcasts ▲ Integrity Golden Bell quiz competitions ▲ integrity live concerts ▲ integrity practice campaigns.

Through these efforts, the Audit Committee achieved its best-ever results since its launch.

Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju said, "Achieving the highest level of integrity nationwide has raised the pride of Gwangju, the city of democracy, human rights, and peace," and added, "We will continue to strive to realize a clean public service society."