Citizen Participation Needed to Improve Integrity Level of Suwon City Officials

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Opinion has been raised that to improve the integrity level of Suwon City's civil service, expanded citizen participation in the policy process (establishment·implementation, etc.) and communication with citizens is necessary.

At an integrity training session for senior civil servants level 5 and above held on the 27th in the city hall conference room, Im Yun-ju, Director of the Corruption Prevention Bureau at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said "By listening to the opinions of citizens who are policy consumers and actively reflecting their views in policies, we can create a foundation for improving integrity level."

Director Im Yun-ju, who gave a lecture on the topic of "Measures to Improve Integrity in the Civil Service," stated "The public perceives the elimination of corruption not as a problem of some institutions but as a policy goal that must be solved across the entire government" and noted that "a high level of integrity is required throughout the civil service."

The lecture, held prior to an expanded executive meeting in September, was conducted for approximately 130 participants including senior civil servants level 5 and above, executives and employees of public institutions under the city, and others. Director Im explained ▲integrity level in the civil service ▲measures to improve integrity ▲the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act ▲revised provisions of civil servant conduct codes in the lecture.

Director Im stated "The public perceives not only bribery and acceptance of money or valuables as corrupt acts, but also passive handling of duties by public officials, negligence and discourtesy at work, and unreasonable administrative practices" and emphasized "By improving unreasonable practices such as abuse of power by civil servants and overseas business trips, civil service ethics that meets the public's expectations must be established."

Meanwhile, the city is implementing various programs with the goal of "attaining integrity grade level 1," including "integrity training for all civil servants," "risk assessment and evaluation of corruption for senior civil servants," "integrity broadcasts and integrity clubs," "integrity education outreach," and "integrity improvement discussion forums for high-ranking public officials."