Seonghwa Lim of Gwangju Seo-gu Council Enacts "Ordinance on Improving Integrity and Preventing Corruption"

by Shin Dongho

Published 22 Jul.2025 15:09(KST)

Updated 25 Jul.2025 17:24(KST)

open/close

Composition Includes Projects for Fostering and Promoting a Culture of Integrity

Assemblyman Seonghwa Lim of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council announced on July 22, 2025, that the “Ordinance on Improving Integrity and Preventing Corruption in the Gwangju Seo-gu Council,” which he proposed as the lead sponsor during the 332nd extraordinary session, was approved in its original form by the relevant standing committee.

This marks the first time such an ordinance has been introduced among the five basic local councils in the Gwangju area, following the city council. Through this, an institutional foundation has been established to foster an action-oriented culture of integrity within the council, moving beyond a mere emphasis on morality-based integrity.

Assemblyman Seonghwa Lim. Photo by Assemblyman Seonghwa Lim's Office

The “Ordinance on Improving Integrity and Preventing Corruption in Seo-gu,” which was proposed with the aim of creating a fair environment and ensuring integrity in job performance for all council-affiliated officials and employees, including local council members, consists of the following: ▲ obligations of integrity for the chairperson and public officials ▲ establishment and implementation of a basic plan for fostering a culture of integrity ▲ projects to create and promote a culture of integrity ▲ integrity assessment and investigation ▲ integrity education and public relations ▲ cooperation systems and rewards.

Assemblyman Lim stated, “According to the National Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the comprehensive integrity score for basic local councils in 2023 was 66.8 points, which is significantly lower than the overall council score of 68.5 points and the administrative agencies’ score of 80.5 points.” He added, “Based on the enactment of this ordinance, we will actively work to improve and develop an action-oriented culture of integrity, so that both residents and the executive branch can experience the Seo-gu Council as a trustworthy and considerate body.”