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Gyeongnam Office of Education Implements Safe Lawyer System

Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education Whistleblower Poster (Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] The Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education announced on the 5th that starting from the 8th, it will operate the 'Anonymous Proxy Reporting (Safe Lawyer)' system to promote corruption and public interest reporting and strengthen the protection of whistleblower identities.

Although laws related to public interest reporting include obligations to keep whistleblowers' identities confidential and impose severe penalties for violations, the reporting rate has been low due to fear of identity exposure and potential unfair measures against the reporter.

The 'Anonymous Proxy Reporting (Safe Lawyer)' system allows internal reporters who do not wish to disclose their personal information to report corruption and public interest issues through a lawyer's name as a proxy.

Reporters can send their reports via email to the safe lawyers listed on the Office of Education's website, consult with the lawyer, and proceed with the reporting process. Lawyers can also act as proxies for submitting materials or giving statements. The Office directly pays the proxy reporting fees to the lawyers.

Kang Ki-myeong, Auditor of the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education, said, "One courageous report can prevent corruption and wrongdoing and create a responsible educational environment," adding, "We hope that the safe lawyer system will further activate internal corruption and public interest reporting."

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