Public Interest Whistleblower Reward Budget Jumps from 4.9 Billion to 45.1 Billion Won

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The budget for public interest whistleblower rewards is set to increase significantly from 4.9 billion won to 45.1 billion won.

Going forward, individuals who prevent losses to the national treasury by reporting corruption or irregularities are expected to receive solid rewards accordingly.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has formulated a budget and fund proposal for 2027 totaling 186.2 billion won and submitted it to the National Assembly.

This is an increase of 745 billion won compared to this year.

The area seeing the largest increase is the support for public interest whistleblowers reporting corruption.

The budget for rewards, commendation money, and relief funds will be increased from 4.9 billion won this year to 45.1 billion won next year.

Along with the budget expansion, the reward calculation method will also change significantly.

Currently, rewards are paid differentially ranging from 4% to 30% depending on the amount by which public institutions' revenues have recovered or increased, or costs have been reduced.

Moving forward, this differential payment method will be eliminated, shifting to a system where rewards are calculated based on 30% of the recovered revenue.

Concerns have also been raised that expanding reporting rewards could foster so-called professional informants or turn public interest reporting into a means of making money.

On the other hand, arguments are also being made that active compensation is necessary given the risks whistleblowers must endure.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.