Politicians included in corruption sweep

The government embarked on extensive crackdowns on corruption and irregularities of public servants with the adoption of a set of guidelines "for firming up discipline in state craft" at a meeting of cabinet ministers concerned with audit and justice, presided over by Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong.

High-ranking bureaucrats, officers of state-run organizations and public corporations, and leading figures in all sectors of society will be targeted for extensive monitoring and inspection. Lower-echelon officials and government agencies charged with audit and inspection will be subjected to internal surveillance and examination.

Asked about anti-corruption efforts against politicians, a highly placed administration official said they could be included among the leading social figures, suggesting that politicians will not be immune from the planned clampdown.

The Supreme Prosecutor's Office put its Special Anti-Corruption Investigation Squad into full action Wednesday to initiate a probe into irregularities committed by public servants and social leaders, focusing on economic offenses by executives of companies under court receivership or workout programs and of enterprises receiving public funds, and tax evasion by large income earners and other community leaders.