Rational Behavior and Compliance to Anti-corruption Institutions in Korea.

Contrary to its economic success, Korea has lagged behind concerning the level of integrity of civil service. This does not imply that attempts have not been made to curtail corruptions in civil service. Both the Korean government and society have recognized the harmful impacts of corruption such as maladministration and declining trust to name a few. Thus, each administration has tried to amend existing anti-corruption systems on the one hand, and to develop new institutions on the other. Whilst institution-building is important, it cannot be meaningful unless institutionalization accompanies institution-building. Anti-corruption institutions should alter individual values, beliefs and, eventually, the behavior regarding corrupt practices. If a discrepancy between formal restrictions and the actual law enforcement exists, it is less likely that civil servants will comply with anti-corruption laws. By utilizing survey results, this paper examines how Korean civil servants perceive the efficacy of anti-corruption laws as a means of controlling corrupt practices. In doing so, this paper identifies the deficiencies of anti-corruption institutions and offers suggestions to garner the efficacy of the anti-corruption system in Korea. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]