NCJ Number
220549
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: Autumn 2007 Pages: 226-243
Date Published
2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored the issue of corruption by public officials in the South Korean Government.
Abstract
The study found six relationships between corruption and public officials through the analysis of the annual Analytical Report on Crimes from 1999 to 2004 issued by the Prosecution Office of South Korea. First, public officials with low socioeconomic status (SES) might be more likely to commit crimes than those with high SED. Second, married officials might be more likely to commit crimes than those of any other marital status. Third, public officials in law enforcement departments were more likely to commit job-related crimes than in any other department. Fourth, higher-ranked public officials were more likely to commit job-related crimes than were lower-ranking public officials. Fifth, arrested public officials were less likely to be convicted than were regular citizens. And, sixth, most crimes of public officials might be influenced by organizational custom. The study attempts 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. It is apparent that all governments experience corruption and it cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, steps should be taken to manage it. Corruption is personal, political, legal, and cultural. South Korean society in particular should attempt to make laws against corruption by public officials both strict and fair while, at the same time, attending to efforts directed at reducing severe class differentials that often result in conflict among competing classes. The purpose of this study is to examine cause and effect relationships between bureaucratic corruption and personal, political, legal, and cultural factors in South Korea, employ criminological theory in an attempt to explain each relationship, and to suggest policies for corruption prevention. Tables, figures, references