[CARD NEWS] Oh~ It's the Prime Minister! So What?
When Helen Clark, the prime minister of New Zealand, was doing some inspections in a suburb, she was accused of speeding by the residents of the area.
And then?
She was fined, of course!
2) The Serious Fraud Office
In New Zealand, this independent organization, established in 1990, takes full charge of investigating reported corruption scandals, like illegal political funds.
They have zero tolerance policy for corruption and are strict on any minor violations of the law, regardless of the offenders’ social status.
3) “Watch out! My bicycle is coming through!”
Guess what officials say this? The members of the National Assembly in Denmark!
Most of them commute by bicycle.
Denmark is famously known as “a nation without state cars.”
A National Assembly without parking lots gives officials a down-to-earth image, winning confidence from the public.
The population respects 94 percent of the judgments made by Danish courts, as well.
Even if people lose suits, most still do not consider the judgments unfair.
4) Mona Sahlin, the former deputy prime minister of Sweden, purchased about $330 in groceries, such as diapers and chocolate, with a public corporate card.
Although she paid for the expenses herself later, she was defeated in the next deputy prime minister election.
The reason for her defeat?
“She cannot distinguish private money and taxes”
5) “Never go to the sauna together, nor play golf together.”
- Alf Johansson, a prosecutor of the Swedish National Anti-Corruption Unit
The Swedish government conducts a thorough information disclosure policy.
They have disclosed every administrative procedure since 1766. Official emails are not exceptions.
6)
Chieng Wan, the prime minister of Singapore, was suspected of involvement in bribery in 1987. Despite of the numerous requests for favorable arrangements, Lee Yu Kwan, who was the prime minister then as well as a friend of Chieng Wan, declined to intervene in the investigation.
7)
“Corrupt Practice Investigation Bureau”
Founded in 1960, this corruption inspection organization is well known for its independence, as officials take the initiatives.
“Punishment is punishment, and I bet you have another thing to return?”
Aside from punishment, people who are convicted on bribery charges must return the money they had received. If they cannot afford to return it, their sentence is increased proportionally to the value of the graft.
8)
In Finland, the minister of education turned out to be a member of a golf course which was being developed under the ministry’s plans. At the National Assembly, questions were bombarded toward the minister.
He resigned immediately.
9) “A warm beer and cold sandwich is suitable for a civil servant, but vice versa they are risky.” - A Finish maxim.
“The more you earn, the more you pay in fines.”
Fines are charged according to monthly income, based on the transparent disclosure of revenue.
10) In Hong Kong, a high-ranking prosecutor at the ministry of justice failed to explain his increase in wealth.
He returned about $16,000 and was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
After he finished his sentence, he was expelled from the country.
11) “If an official fails to prove the process of the property formation was one’s own, the property is considered bribery and confiscated under the penalty.”
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong
The commission is regarded as the most successful anti-corruption agency.
The commission carries out several policies, including corruption investigation, corruption prevention, and public education. The citizens of Hong Kong give them the absolute support.
12).
In Korea, from Sept. 28th of 2016, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, also known as the Kim Young-ran Law, has been in effect. Even if the society is in confusion in its initial implementation, now it is time to begin to change society.
“Let’s make a transparent society.”
“Let’s eradicate the structural corruptions.”
기사원문링크: goo.gl/uYRbJn
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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