Heads of ombudsman institutions from 12 countries including the U.S., Canada, Austria, Malaysia, China, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand, have gathered in Seoul for a special conference.

Under the title, “Ombudsman and the Citizens’ Lives, their Dynamic Relationship,” the 2014 Ombudsman Global Conference opened its curtains on July 2 at the Korea Press Center, in central Seoul, and welcomed more than 200 domestic and international representatives.


Among those in attendance were the President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) Panit Nitithanprapas, Head of the Iranian General Inspection Organization Nasser Seraj, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) Lee Sung-bo, Chairman of the National Assembly Chung Ui-hwa and former ACRC Chairperson Kim Young-ran.

The Seoul conference was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, as Korea’s ombudsman institution.

During the two-day event, participants shared successful experiences and examples of their own ombudsman system and came up with ideas to boost global-level cooperation in this regard.

“The Ombudsman system is closely related to the lives of the public and the system should keep changing and improving to live up to new, fresh needs from the people,” said the incumbent chairman of the ACRC.

He hoped the Seoul conference would pave the way for smooth, free exchange of experience and expertise.


In particular, Diane Welborn, the Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and Dayton Ombudsman of the U.S., stepped to the podium to give a speech on “Enhancing trust between ombudsmen and the public.”

Ombudsman of Ireland Peter Tyndall, meanwhile, delivered a presentation on “Measures to secure impartiality of Ombudsmen,” while IOI Secretary General Günther Kräuter spoke on the “Current situation and future prospects of international cooperation between ombudsman institutions.”

ACRC Chairman Lee Sung-bo, too, provided a presentation on “Measures to enhance the Ombudsman’s capacity to respond to social disputes.” Former ACRC chairperson Kim Young-ran made her point in her speech titled, “Role of Korean ombudsmen and direction for future development.”

Ombudsman, the word stemming from the Spanish word, Defensoría del Pueblo, means a “public advocate.” Its role is to work independently to represent the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or any violation of rights.

At the forefront of the cause is the International Ombudsman Institute, based in Vienna, Austria. The global organization aims to help more than 160 Ombudsman institutes from about 90 countries worldwide to cooperate.

By Wi Tack-whan, Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr