Gangjin-gun Achieves Comprehensive Integrity Grade 2... Rises Two Levels

Published 09 Dec.2021 14:28(KST)

Higher Than the Average of All Basic Local Governments

Exterior view of Gangjin-gun Office ? Asia Economy

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin County, Jeollanam-do announced on the 9th that according to the 2021 Public Institution Integrity Measurement results released by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, it rose from grade 4 last year to grade 2 this year.

This evaluation was conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission targeting 592 public institutions nationwide, calculating comprehensive integrity by reflecting survey results from citizens with experience working with public institutions (external integrity) and public officials of the institutions (internal integrity), as well as the occurrence status of corruption cases.

Gangjin County received a comprehensive integrity score of 8.20 out of 10, which is 0.37 points higher than the average of 7.83 for 82 county-level local governments nationwide, and 0.17 points higher than the average of 8.03 for all 226 basic local governments. This score is 0.94 points higher than last year.

External integrity, which accounts for 73% of the comprehensive integrity, is evaluated by applicants for permits, subsidy recipients, construction contractors, and other civil petitioners. The county scored 8.33, an increase of 1.13 points from last year, rising two levels.

Also, internal integrity evaluated by county public officials rose by 0.41 points from last year to 7.85, increasing by one level. As a result, both external and internal integrity received grade 2 this year, marking a two-level rise compared to last year.

This is attributed to the county’s efforts to build consensus among employees on integrity policies by holding integrity policy promotion meetings for all departments, conducting department-specific visiting integrity education, collecting anti-corruption policy ideas, and providing case-centered customized education. They also worked to improve organizational culture by enhancing transparency in budget execution and implementing continuous monitoring to reduce unfair practices such as power abuse.

In addition, this year, the county boldly introduced various policies such as monthly customized integrity education, periodic integrity letters and text messages, operation of an integrity complaint center, establishment of a power abuse and unfair instruction reporting center, operation of an integrity meal ticket system, and communication with new employees about integrity. Existing policies were also reorganized to fit current realities, striving to improve integrity.

County Governor Lee Seung-ok said, “Gangjin is a hometown of integrity where the teachings of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong are present, and it is also a place where the Dasan Integrity Training Institute educates public officials nationwide to cultivate integrity talents.” He added, “The most fundamental virtues that public officials must have are integrity and kindness. We will continue to actively promote integrity policies and do our best to achieve grade 1 integrity.”