Jongno-gu Receives Grade 2 in 2020 Public Institution Integrity Evaluation...Top Among Local Governments Nationwide

Considering that no local government district nationwide received a comprehensive grade 1, it effectively corresponds to the highest grade.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) received a comprehensive grade 2 evaluation, rising by 2 grades compared to last year, in the ‘2020 Public Institution Integrity Measurement Results’ by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

Considering that no autonomous district nationwide received a comprehensive grade 1 evaluation, this effectively means it achieved the highest integrity grade.

Public institution integrity is calculated by reflecting the results of internal and external integrity surveys and the occurrence of corruption incidents. Its purpose is to enhance transparency and integrity in the public sector by diagnosing the level of integrity and corruption-inducing factors in each institution and encouraging autonomous improvement efforts.

This year, the survey was conducted on a total of 580 public institutions, and Jongno-gu’s comprehensive integrity score rose by 0.67 points from the previous year to 8.54 points. This score is 0.23 points higher than the national average for autonomous districts of 8.31 points and 0.27 points higher than the overall institution average of 8.27 points.

Jongno-gu received a comprehensive grade 2 evaluation in the 2018 integrity assessment but dropped to grade 4 last year. It has since devoted full efforts to improving integrity throughout this year. As a result, it achieved the remarkable feat of rising by 2 grades in comprehensive integrity, with both internal and external integrity grades improving.

The external integrity, measured through a survey of civil petitioners who experienced Jongno-gu’s services, received grade 3 (8.80 points), and there were no experiences of corruption such as bribery, entertainment, or provision of conveniences.

Additionally, the integrity score in the construction management and supervision sector rose significantly to 9.66 points.

To improve external integrity, Jongno-gu has implemented various policies such as sending ‘Integrity ARS’ and ‘Integrity Text Messages’ after processing tasks, conducting outreach integrity education, and operating the ‘Integrity 3 Actions and 3 Prohibitions Code of Conduct’ to prevent corruption using positions and duties, leading efforts to increase civil petition satisfaction.

Moreover, internal integrity, measured through a survey of Jongno-gu employees, also rose by one grade from grade 3 last year to grade 2 (7.83 points).

Efforts such as producing the ‘Jongno Integrity Song Music Video’ featuring employees, holding an integrity slogan contest reflecting employees’ commitment to integrity, and introducing a ‘Continuous Integrity Learning System’ are reported to have greatly influenced this grade improvement.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “Despite the difficult situation due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic this year, we were able to receive a good evaluation as a result of continuous efforts to create an honest Jongno.” He added, “We will not be satisfied with the current status and will pursue substantial related policies aiming for a grade 1 integrity.”

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