Gyeongbuk Province Achieves Highest Ever 'Integrity' Rating... "The Most Honest Metropolitan Government Nationwide"

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Achieves Integrity Level 2 ... No Level 1 Among 17 Cities and Provinces

On October 30th, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, explaining local issues to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who visited the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do received the highest rating among 17 cities and provinces, achieving a comprehensive integrity level of Grade 2 in the 2020 public institution integrity assessment conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, marking its best-ever performance. This year, no city or province among the 17 received a Grade 1 in the integrity evaluation by the Commission.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission annually measures the integrity of public institutions nationwide, announcing ratings from the top Grade 1 to the lowest Grade 5. Until now, Gyeongbuk Province had consistently received the lowest ratings of Grades 4 to 5 since 2002, but this time achieved its highest rating ever.

Gyeongbuk Province’s comprehensive integrity score was 8.34 out of 10, earning a Grade 2 and jumping two levels from Grade 4 last year.

Looking into the evaluation details, the internal integrity score, which reflects the self-assessment of integrity by provincial government officials, was 8.09 (Grade 2), rising by 0.29 points (↑1 grade) from last year to achieve Grade 2 for the first time. The external integrity score, assessed by residents on the integrity of Gyeongbuk’s administration and public officials, was 8.43 (Grade 2), increasing by 0.96 points (↑2 grades) compared to last year.

Since the beginning of the year, Gyeongbuk Province has pursued various integrity policies aiming to achieve Grade 1 by selecting four major strategic tasks and 23 key initiatives. Above all, to eradicate deeply rooted illegal and unfair practices in the public sector, the province held frequent on-site integrity meetings targeting all departments, including pledges for integrity practice, production of integrity YouTube content, integrity morning broadcasts, and visits to all fire stations and headquarters.

Additionally, a 'Grade 1 Integrity Achievement Task Force' composed of five private organizations and heads of provincial offices was formed and operated, along with a 'Integrity Responsibility System' involving all departments, focusing all efforts on improving integrity.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, expressed his joy, saying, "Achieving the highest rating ever in the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission’s integrity assessment reflects the positive evaluation from residents on the changes and innovations of provincial officials, the successful Gyeongbuk-style COVID-19 response, and the confirmed attraction of the integrated new airport. I am grateful to the residents."

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