ACRC stresses role as ombudsman agency, even for foreigners

Home > National > Social Affairs

ACRC stresses role as ombudsman agency, even for foreigners

Published: 08 Nov. 2023, 19:01 Updated: 08 Nov. 2023, 19:41

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

Kim Tae-kyu, the vice chairperson of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), introduces the ACRC's role as an ombudsman agency and some of its accomplishments during a press conference held at the Press Center building in central Seoul on Wednesday. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

The Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) on Wednesday stressed its role as an ombudsman agency in Korea, handling complaints from all individuals and groups, including foreigners.

In the past five years, the commission has received more than 30,000 complaints, of which 23,887 have been addressed.

This also included cases filed by foreigners living inside and outside the country.

During a press conference held in downtown Seoul, ACRC Vice Chairman Kim Tae-kyu shared several cases filed by foreigners, which included a complaint sent by the Greek Veterans Association in February 2020.

The association argued that a new gas station and roadside rest area that blocked the memorial for Greek veterans in Yeoju, Gyeonggi, diminished the monument's significance.

Following the report, the agency engaged in email discussions, conducted on-site investigations, consulted with related organizations and searched for relocation sites.

The memorial was consequently relocated from Yeoju Service Area to Yeongwol Park in Yeoju in July 2020.

The agency's four major functions include preventing corruption, handling complaints, making institutional improvements and handling administrative appeals, according to the commission.

The vice chairperson stressed the significance of the commission as social conflicts deepen daily, with Korea ranking third among the 30 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries on the Conflict Index.

“As an agency that mediates conflicts between the private sectors and the state, the commission grants relief for civil rights, collective complaints and corporate grievances,” he said.

The agency on Wednesday also introduced its communication platform called e-People, launched in 2005. Anyone can file reports through the platform, which receives around 10 million cases annually.

The service is offered in 14 languages, including English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai.

Over the past three years, approximately 100,000 cases have been received, with visa and immigration issues accounting for the largest number.

The ACRC shared a case received through the platform where it helped a foreigner register for the national pension after he filed a petition with the agency.

The agency has also suggested institutional improvements after hearing from people, such as recommending the government establish a legal basis for the employment management of foreign ship crews.

This recommendation came after noting that companies had to pay fees to the labor union when hiring foreign sailors.

“Many countries across the globe provide the functions of an ombudsman, but our agency will make sure to expedite the satisfaction of people’s rights by listening to the smallest voices of the public,” Kim said.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]