The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 9th opened the "anonymous reporting center for whistleblowing on crimes by high-ranking officials."
According to the CIO that day, the anonymous reporting center is designed to handle every step anonymously, from receiving reports and reviewing facts to deciding whether to open a preliminary inquiry and notifying the outcome.
Reports can be filed through the anonymous reporting system on the CIO website. At that time, reports can be submitted without entering personal information such as name and affiliation. Materials related to the report can also be submitted.
Received reports are registered in a separate system and are not disclosed externally.
A dedicated investigator reviews the report to verify the facts and, if necessary, may request additional materials. The reporter's anonymity is maintained throughout this process.
The CIO said that if an investigation is deemed necessary, the case will be converted into a preliminary inquiry, and if the need for investigation is low or materials are insufficient, the case will be closed.
The CIO also held an opening ceremony for the anonymous reporting center that day. Attendees included Odong-un, head of the CIO; Lee Ji-mun, senior adviser at the Whistleblower Action Movement, who in 1992 made a conscience declaration revealing fraud in military absentee voting; and Kim Young-su, head of the Defense Rights Research Institute, who in 2009 blew the whistle on military procurement corruption.
Minister Oh said, "We expect reports of crimes by high-ranking officials to become more active going forward," adding, "It will also help enhance transparency across the state and bolster public trust."