10 Years of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act... Over 12.85 Million Reports Processed

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Announces Major Achievements 10 Years After Law Enforcement

Over 1.63 Trillion Won Imposed in Monetary Penalties

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announces the major achievements of the 10th anniversary of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act at the government Seoul office briefing room on the afternoon of the 30th. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Since the enforcement of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act in 2011, approximately 13.76 million public interest reports have been received by government and local government agencies at all levels, with about 12.85 million cases processed. Two out of every three reports received led to the detection of allegations, resulting in financial penalties amounting to approximately 1.63 trillion KRW. Whistleblowers and others were awarded compensation, rewards, and relief funds totaling about 10.45 billion KRW.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced the major achievements of the past 10 years of the law's enforcement on the 30th. Over the past decade, the law has been amended seven times, significantly strengthening whistleblower protection measures, including the introduction of an anonymous proxy reporting system and the establishment of grounds for imposing compliance fines. Consequently, the number of applicable laws for public interest reporting increased from 180 to 471.

Source=Kwon Ik-wi

Efforts were also made to protect the identity of whistleblowers and increase reporting rates. Additionally, to encourage reporting, the Commission can impose compliance fines of up to 30 million KRW per instance, twice a year, if its protective measures are not followed. Whistleblowers who face disciplinary or administrative actions due to illegal acts related to reporting can have their penalties reduced upon the Commission's request. As a result, during the first five years of the system (2011?2015), only 20 protection cases were accepted, but in the following five years (2016?2020), the number increased sixfold to 123 cases where whistleblower protection decisions were made.

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, explained, "The public interest reporting and whistleblower protection system has played a role in efficiently detecting and preventing public interest violations that may occur in areas beyond administrative reach by encouraging voluntary reporting from the public." Chairperson Jeon added, "There are many opinions that the scope of laws subject to public interest reporting should be further expanded, and there are still areas for improvement, such as punishing those who identify or instruct whistleblowers. We will continue to pursue institutional improvements to strengthen whistleblower protection so that anyone can report with confidence."

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