The 6th "Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Day" ceremony was hosted

ACRC granted 41 government prizes to people of national merits

February 27, 2018

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission

The Republic of Korea

The ceremony of "Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Day" was hosted in the form of "People's Participation Forum" where the voices of people are heard.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced that the 6th "Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Day Ceremony" was hosted on the 27 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Sejong Government Convention Center, with more than 300 attendees including awardees and guests.

"February 27" is the day when King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty issued a king's message to install sinmungo (a large drum that was hung on a gate tower of the royal palace compound during the Joseon Dynasty, which was pounded by ordinary people who had experienced unfair things and wanted to let the king know it) in order to listen to the people who were treated unfairly. The ACRC declared February 27 as the "People's Rights Day" in 2012, to proclaim its strong will for protection of people's rights and the ceremony for the day has been hosted since 2013. This year, the ACRC hosted the 6th "Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Day" ceremony as an "event for the people," which can revive King Taejong's compassion for the people.

The scope of invitation to this year's ceremony was expanded to include people from professional and social organizations in Sejong City, as well as groups related with the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in the fields of livestock, horticulture, and restaurant businesses, in order to make it an event that is "with people" and that "respects people." In addition, "Dream Wing Choir" consisting of children and their parents living in Sejong City was invited to congratulate awardees.

A video clip titled "The Voices of People," which present compliments and expectations for the ACRC from college students, parents of school children, and whistle-blowers, was shown at the ceremony, to have time to think about the desirable future direction for the ACRC to work for the people.

At this year's ceremony, 41 government prizes and 70 ACRC chairperson commendations were granted to 99 people of merits from 12 groups, including one order of merit and one medal of honor for organizations and individuals who contributed to the spread of the culture of anti-corruption and integrity, as well as promotion of people's rights.

By sector, whistle-blower Kim Gwang-ho received the Order of Civil Merit-Magnolia Medal, in the field of anti-corruption. Mr. Kim Gwang-ho greatly contributed to securing the safety of the Korean people by reporting a suspicion over concealment of automobile defect by the company he works for to the ACRC, leading to the Ministry of Land and Transportation's investigation into the vehicle defect of the automobile manufacturer and issuance of an order for mandatory recall.

Director General Kim Dae-yong of the Audit Bureau of National Health Insurance Corporation received a presidential citation at the ceremony. He prevented leak of public funds by improving diverse reporting systems and protection systems and contributed to the spread of the culture of anti-corruption and integrity, through customized and themed integrity consulting.

In the field of promoting people's rights, secretary Lee Sang-jun of the Rural Development Administration received Service Merit Medal. Secretary Lee was selected as the winner of the medal, being recognized for his contribution to the improvement of the quality of civil complaint service by operating 「On-Site Agricultural Technology Support Group」and「Travelling Counselling Market for Happy Agriculture」for the purpose of one-stop handling of civil complaints on site.

Assistant director Yoon Ji-young of the Changnyeong-gun District Office in Gyeongsangnam-do Province received a presidential commendation. She was selected as the awardee for her contribution to preemptive prevention and active resolution of civil grievances by setting up a dedicated team and T/F for handling civil petitions for grievance, and establishing and expanding 16 various on-and-off-line reporting channels, including the "Center for Reporting Public Officials' Irregularities."

Assistant director Heo Ji-young of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received a prime minister commendation in the sector of administrative appeals. She was selected as the awardee for her contribution for a swift and fair handling of diverse tasks for a large number of administrative appeals regarding driver's license and for a proper operation of the administrative appeal system.

ACRC's Chairperson Pak Un Jong said in her commemorative speech, "Last year, the ACRC renewed our society's will to fight against corruption and strengthened the institutional foundation for the new administration's anti-corruption reform. The commission will be always here to listen to the voices of people, to make a transparent and fair society of Korea jointly with the people."

The ACRC will continue to implement major policies including push for comprehensive anti-corruption and integrity policies, facilitation of people's policy participation and communication with them, and practical protection of people's rights this year, in order to realize the slogan of "more transparent society, more trusted government, and happier people."