50 mil Won Reword for Reports of Corruption Cases

A corruption reporting system, which pays up to 50 million won to those who report corruption cases involving politicians, government officials and businessmen, will be put into place beginning next month.

The prosecutors` office said on Jul 28 that it has decided to introduce the reporting system for a six-months period from August this year through January next year. The decision came as senior prosecutors agreed to seek public cooperation in their fight against corruption in political circles.

People who find a suspected case can report to the Supreme Public Prosecutor`s Office by phone 02-3480-2242, fax 02-3480-2757 or Web site www.sppo.go.kr. Report centers will also be set up at district prosecutors` offices in Seoul (phone 02-3476-5494, fax 02-530-4898 and Web site seoul.dppo.go.kr) and Busan (phone 1588-5757, fax 051-800-4259 and Web site busan.dppo.go.kr).

Corruption cases involving politicians, government officials, business favors and irregularities at financial service firms and businesses will be subject to investigations.

The prosecution plans to set up a report center at district offices and allow people to report a case by phone, fax, e-mail or visits. The corruption reporting system will also cover areas outside Seoul and Busan. After running the anti-corruption center for six months, the prosecution plans to set up similar centers at all district offices.

Wi-Yong Jung viyonz@donga.com