Corruption and Politics within the South Korean Government

Abstract

The purpose of this study is (1) to examine cause and effect relationships between bureaucratic corruption and personal, political, legal, and cultural factors in South Korea; (2) to employ criminological theory in an attempt to explain each relationship; and (3) to suggest policies for corruption prevention. Through analysing the official crime report, Analytical Report on Crimes from 1999 to 2004 issued annually by the Prosecution Office of South Korea, this study finds the following six relationships between corruption and factors. First, public officials with low socio-economic status (SES) might be more likely to commit crimes than those with high SES. Second, married officials might be more likely to commit crimes than those of any other marital status. Third, public officials in law enforcement departments are more likely to commit job-related crimes than in any other departments. Fourth, higher-ranked public officials are more likely to commit job-related crimes than are lower-ranking public officials. Fifth, arrested public officials are less likely to be convicted than are regular citizens. And, sixth, most crimes of public officials might be influenced by organisational custom. This study endeavours to apply three criminological theories: rational choice theory; control theory; and conflict theory to the above findings and to develop insight toward a corruption-free society.