In 2024, Korea Ranks 30^th Out of 180 Countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Rising 2 Places from the Previous Year

- Transparency International (TI) released the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on the 11^th

- ACRC to focus on strengthening an anti-corruption system based on laws and principles and spreading a culture of integrity throughout society

(February 11, 2025, ACRC)

According to the “2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)” announced by Transparency International (TI) on the 11^th, Korea scored 64 out of 100, ranking 30^th* out of 180 countries.

* (’20) 61 points, 33^rd → (’21) 62 points, 32^nd → (’22) 63 points, 31^st → (’23) 63 points, 32^nd → (’24) 64 points, 30^th

** Among the 38 OECD member countries, Korea climbed one rank to 21^st, compared to the previous year

Korea’s score and rank have each increased by 1 point and 2 ranks compared to last year. Korea overtook Cabo Verde (30^th to 32^nd), which was ranked ahead of it last year, and tied with Israel for 30^th. Among OECD countries, Korea also rose by one rank over the previous year to 21^st.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released annually by Transparency International (based in Berlin, Germany) since 1995, measures the level of corruption in the public and political sectors, with a higher score indicating greater integrity.

This year’s evaluation results seem to have been positively influenced by continuous national anti-corruption policy efforts and achievements, including efforts to prevent corruption through the operation of anti-corruption laws and systems; improvement in corruption reporting systems and strengthening protection and support for whistleblowers; and proactive responses to social corruption issues such as inspections of local assemblies and hiring irregularities. Additionally, with the end of the COVID-19 crisis and a return to normalcy, some decrease in COVID-related corruption has led local and foreign businesspeople to perceive reductions in corruption cases. However, public sector corruption issues, the expansion of new causes for corruption such as cryptocurrency crimes, and the polarization of the public due to political strife are analyzed to have negatively affected perceptions of corruption both domestically and internationally.

The ACRC plans to focus its capabilities on further solidifying an anti-corruption system based on laws and principles, spreading a culture of integrity throughout society, and simultaneously steering international evaluations to continue improving.

Firstly, ACRC will intensively promote high-level inspections of corruption targeting local and frontline areas. By collaborating with various related agencies, the Commission plans to operate an intensive reporting period and strengthen investigations into fiscal leakages to contribute to financial soundness through recovery recommendations.

In addition, ACRC aims to eliminate causes of corruption in advance by improving local autonomous regulations and removing unreasonable practices (e.g., days treating bureaucratic seniors) and actively support enhancing integrity capabilities of public institutions at all levels through integrity consulting.

Moreover, to enhance the effectiveness of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, which marks its third anniversary, the Commission plans to rationally revise the Code of Conduct that public officials must adhere to and consider measures to raise awareness, such as stipulating prohibitions on investing in virtual assets with job-related information in the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

Furthermore, to efficiently respond to increasingly sophisticated and intelligent corruption crimes, ACRC plans to conduct policy research to develop a digital-based anti-corruption system using AI, big data, etc., to seek improvements in anti-corruption policies.

ACRC will also conduct a focused investigation into hiring practices at institutions with high rates of hiring irregularities and provide consulting on hiring regulations for related public organizations. In addition, ACRC plans to conduct expert matching and tailored consulting to help the private sector implement and operate ethical management compliance programs.

Finally, to spread a culture of integrity to the future generation that will lead the country, ACRC will encourage the establishment of anti-corruption and integrity-related liberal arts courses at universities and work with related institutions to ensure educational colleges and teachers’ colleges mandate courses on integrity.

Efforts to promote Korea’s anti-corruption policies and achievements to international evaluation experts and local and foreign businesspeople will continue. Notably, this year, Korea serves as the chair of the APEC meetings, and the ACRC will host the APEC High-Level Anti-Corruption Dialogue (July 2025) and the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group Meeting (February, July), aiming to use this as an opportunity to enhance the reputation and credibility of Korea’s anti-corruption efforts and achievements in the international community.

Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan of the ACRC stated, “Although the national integrity score has reached its highest score and ranking ever, the Commission will humbly continue to strive for a more transparent and fair society.”