South Korean Government Implements New Rule That Will Expel Public Officials Caught Receiving Kickbacks Over One Million Won
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced that the South Korean government will be putting its foot down as it fights corruption by deciding to expel public officials who are caught receiving money worth more than one million won, reported International Business Times on Monday.
The rule is set to be imposed on Tuesday, just months after South Korean former Prime Minister Lee Wan Koo resigned for being involved in a bribery scandal on April.
According to BBC on April 21, Lee allegedly received 30 million won from businessman Sung Wan Jong for illegal re-election campaign funds before Sung reportedly committed suicide earlier in April. In Sung's suicide note, the businessman noted eight public figures who he allegedly bribed, which included Lee.
Lee denied that he and Sung are acquainted, however, several media reports have shown otherwise.
Sung was also placed under investigation, but the businessman was found hanging by his tie on a tree in April.
Following the allegations, President Park Geun Hye ordered a "thorough investigation" of the matter.
"I find it regrettable," said Park. "I also feel sympathy for the agony of the prime minister."
Moving forward, expelled officials will be banned from filling government positions for the next five years, and their retirement allowances and pensions will be cut in half. If a bribe was also committed by threatening a person, an official may be expelled regardless if the amount is less than one million won.
"People will not condone anyone involved in the corruption scandal," Park was quoted saying during the bribery scandal in April. "I am determined to eradicate the time-honored irregularities and corruption so we could achieve a new political reform."
"This is the last chance to sever the cycle of corruption and eradicate it in our politics," Park added.
Sputnik News noted on Monday that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that around 70 percent of South Koreans "distrusted their government" after the news on corruption scandal broke out.
