ACRC invited officials of Myanmarese Anti-Corruption Commission to an anti-corruption workshop

September 2, 2019

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission

The Republic of Korea

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea organized an anti-corruption workshop for the officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for five days from September 2. It invited fifteen officials of the ACC including Commissioner U Khin Maung Myint to attend the workshop, which took place at its Anti-Corruption Training Institute in Cheongju.

This workshop was held as part of cooperative activities under the memorandum of understanding signed by the two anti-corruption bodies of Korea and Myanmar in May 2018. The workshop program was tailored to the needs of the Myanmarese officials, covering Korea’s major anti-corruption policy measures including the Corruption Risk Assessment (corruption proofing of legislation), whistleblower protection and reward schemes, and integrity training programs.

Introduced in 2006, the Corruption Risk Assessment is aimed at reviewing and removing any elements that may cause corruption in bills and existing legislation. Every ministry and other central government agency of Korea, which intends to enact or amend laws, decrees, and regulations, is required to have its bills reviewed by the ACRC. Last year, in partnership with UNDP the ACRC shared its experience in conducting the Corruption Risk Assessment with Myanmar at two training workshops in Sejong and Nay Pyi Taw.

The ACC is Myanmar’s anti-corruption authority vested with strong and comprehensive mandates, ranging from investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, provision of protection and rewards for whistleblowers, to review of asset disclosures made by public officials.

Recently, Corruption Prevention Units (CPU) responsible for anti-corruption activities including the Corruption Risk Assessment were established in 20 central government agencies of Myanmar, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Union Attorney General Office, and Central Bank of Myanmar. The ACC will seek to create CPUs in all central and local government agencies of Myanmar in the future.

“I hope this workshop provided an opportunity for the officials from Myanmar to deepen understanding about various anti-corruption measures of Korea including the Corruption Risk Assessment,” said Un Jong Pak, Chairperson of the ACRC.

The Chairperson added that the ACRC will continue to work closely with its Myanmarese counterpart to exchange experience and best practices in preventing and fighting against corruption.