If Visiting is Difficult Due to 'COVID-19'... "Report Corruption and Public Interest via the 'Cheongnyeom Portal'"

Chairman Eunjeong Park of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government urged people to actively use phone or internet reporting if they hesitate to visit in person for corruption and public interest reports due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 25th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's Government Joint Civil Service Center requested reports via the '1398' phone consultation or the 'Integrity Portal.'

The 1398 phone consultation is a service that provides expert advice on corruption and public interest violations, violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, fraudulent claims on public finances, violations of public officials' codes of conduct, and more.

Consultations can be conducted anonymously without exposing personal information such as phone numbers. The consultation content is kept strictly confidential.

It is possible to consult by phone whether an act constitutes corruption or public interest infringement, what protection and compensation systems are provided to reporters, how to make anonymous proxy reports, and more.

You can also apply for online consultation by clicking the consultation application menu on the Integrity Portal. Unless there are special circumstances, a response is provided within three days after application.

According to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the number of 1398 phone consultations has been increasing: 10,014 cases in 2017, 10,082 cases in 2018, and 11,479 cases last year.

The number of online consultations on the Integrity Portal has also increased: 485 cases in 2017, 676 cases in 2018, and 2,342 cases last year.

Hwang Hoyoon, head of the Government Joint Civil Service Center at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said, "If you hesitate to visit government offices or report due to COVID-19, please call 1398 without an area code."

If you wish to have an in-person consultation, you can visit the Government Joint Civil Service Center located on the 1st floor of the annex building at the Government Seoul Office or the 1st floor of Building 7 at the Government Sejong Office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.