Korea’s Corruption Perceptions Index Ranks 40th out of 159 Surveyed

Korea’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) significantly improved from 47th last year to 40th this year, but it still lags behind major Asian countries.

Transparency International, a non-governmental organization dedicated to combating corruption, announced on October 18 that Korea ranked 40th, tied with Italy and Hungary among 159 countries surveyed, with a national CPI score of 5.0 on a scale of 10. The international corruption body noted, “Korea demonstrated the most remarkable progress among Asian countries by adopting a transparent society pact and anti-corruption related laws and institutions with the launch of the National Integrity Commission.” Korea’s ranking was 50th (4.3 on the CPI) in 2003 and 47th (4.5) last year.

Although ahead of China (78th), Korea ranked lower than some Asian countries including Hong Kong (15th), Japan (21st), and Taiwan (32nd), and also some Middle Eastern and Latin American countries such as Chile (21st), Oman (28th), Botswana (32nd), Bahrain (36th), and Jordan (37th).

Iceland, which was fourth last year, jumped to number one with a 9.7 on the CPI, and Finland and New Zealand both scored 9.6, jointly taking the number two position.

Korea climbed two spots compared to that of last year to 22nd out of 30 OECD member countries, but it remains among the lowest.

weappon@donga.com