국민권익위원회 (Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)
ACRC
Summary
The 국민권익위원회 (Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, ACRC) was established under the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Management of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (Act No. 8878, 2008). The ACRC consolidated the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Civil Ombudsman, and the Administrative Appeals Commission into a single body. The Chairperson is appointed by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly; the three vice-chairpersons and other members are appointed by the President for renewable 3-year terms, removable only for cause. The ACRC performs two primary functions: (1) receiving and processing administrative grievances and civil complaints from the public (ombudsman role), and (2) receiving corruption reports, protecting whistleblowers, and promoting anti-corruption policies. It does not hold independent subpoena power but may request relevant agencies to submit materials and conduct inspections. Annual reports are submitted to the President and published.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 3 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- 부패방지 및 국민권익위원회의 설치와 운영에 관한 법률 (Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Management of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)
- Citation
- Act No. 8878, 2008, as amended
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All central administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions, and public officials; receives civil complaints, investigates administrative grievances, and handles anti-corruption reporting