South Korea's national integrity perception index (CPI) ranking last year was 30th among 180 countries, as reported on the 11th. The results of the national integrity survey by the Transparency International (TI) were announced by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission that day. Transparency International has published national integrity rankings annually since 1995, investigating the level of corruption in the public and political institutional sectors worldwide.
Last year, South Korea's national integrity ranking was 30th, with a score of 64, both of which are the highest ever recorded. Previously, South Korea ranked 33rd (61 points) in 2020, 32nd (62 points) in 2021, 31st (63 points) in 2022, and 32nd (64 points) in 2023. Furthermore, when compared only to the members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), South Korea improved to 21st last year, rising by two places from the previous year.
In response, the commission noted, "The ranking and score improved due to the operation of anti-corruption laws and systems, enhancement of protection for whistleblowers, and inspection of local council conditions."
The commission plans to conduct rigorous inspections to improve national integrity. It aims to reform unreasonable practices, such as the 'day for treating executives' where lower-ranking officials treat superiors to meals out of pocket. Additionally, it will seek to establish a provision in the public official conduct code prohibiting the use of job-related information for virtual asset transactions.