[Exclusive] Public Corruption Investigation Office's 'Taeguk Pattern' Controversy... Launches CI Development Emphasizing 'Neutrality'

Entering This Week's CI R&D Company Selection... "Seeking a Symbol with Neutrality and Independence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) has begun developing a new CI (Corporate Identity). This move comes after continuous criticism that the agency’s use of the 'Taegeuk pattern,' which is used by government ministries, was inappropriate for an independent organization right after its launch. Gong-su-cheo plans to unveil a new CI focused on 'neutrality' and 'independence' as early as April.

According to the legal community on the 10th, Gong-su-cheo recently started developing a new CI symbolizing the agency’s vision and ideology in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Design Promotion under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. As the personnel committee formation is completed and interviews for prosecutors and investigators have begun, the agency aims to establish an external symbol as the personnel selection process nears its final stage.

Since its launch on January 21, Gong-su-cheo has used the Taegeuk pattern, which symbolizes the government of the Republic of Korea, as its CI. The same pattern was displayed at the official unveiling ceremony of the agency’s plaque.

However, the Taegeuk pattern represents the government of the Republic of Korea and has been criticized for conflicting with Gong-su-cheo’s status of 'political neutrality and independence.' In fact, Gong-su-cheo is an independent agency separate from the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, tasked with strictly investigating corruption among high-ranking officials. Unlike the prosecution and police, which are under the command and control of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety respectively, Gong-su-cheo is free from interference by other institutions. The Gong-su-cheo Act also stipulates that 'Gong-su-cheo shall perform its duties independently.' Neither officials from the Presidential Secretariat nor the President should interfere with Gong-su-cheo’s duties.

Accordingly, Gong-su-cheo decided to create a CI that emphasizes the agency’s neutrality and independence. The process of selecting companies to participate in CI research and development began this week, and contracts and research will commence following internal and external evaluations.

In particular, Gong-su-cheo newly revealed its vision for CI development as 'an investigative agency that practices fair investigations desired by the people and is trusted by the public as a human rights-friendly investigative agency.' This organizational ideology will be reflected in the CI development process, and separate guidelines have been issued to emphasize independence differentiated from the Taegeuk pattern.

The new CI is expected to be unveiled as early as April. Internally, discussions are underway to finalize it by the end of April, but there is also consideration to align the unveiling with the completion of prosecutor and investigator selections and the commencement of the agency’s first official investigation. Earlier, Gong-su-cheo Chief Kim Jin-wook expressed his intention to start the first investigation in April, stating, 'If possible, I will complete appointments within this month.'

A Gong-su-cheo official stated, 'We will seek a symbol that aligns with our organizational ideology and aspirations to share with the public and build trust.'

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