
Understanding Anti-Corruption in Korean
Discussing societal issues like corruption requires specific vocabulary. This guide introduces the Korean term for anti-corruption, “반부패” (ban-bu-pae), and related expressions essential for understanding discussions about ethics, transparency, and governance in Korea. Learn the key terms and phrases to navigate conversations on this important topic.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 반부패
Pronunciation: ban-bu-pae
Meaning: Anti-corruption (반 means ‘anti-‘, 부패 means ‘corruption’)
Key Vocabulary Related to Anti-Corruption
Understanding the core term is just the beginning. Here are essential words frequently used when discussing anti-corruption efforts and related concepts.
- Expression: 부패
Pronunciation: bu-pae
Meaning: Corruption - Expression: 청렴
Pronunciation: cheong-ryeom
Meaning: Integrity; Incorruptibility - Expression: 뇌물
Pronunciation: noe-mul
Meaning: Bribe; Bribery - Expression: 투명성
Pronunciation: tu-myeong-seong
Meaning: Transparency - Expression: 윤리
Pronunciation: yun-ri
Meaning: Ethics - Expression: 정책
Pronunciation: jeong-chaek
Meaning: Policy - Expression: 법
Pronunciation: beop
Meaning: Law - Expression: 규정
Pronunciation: gyu-jeong
Meaning: Regulation; Rule - Expression: 조사
Pronunciation: jo-sa
Meaning: Investigation - Expression: 예방
Pronunciation: ye-bang
Meaning: Prevention - Expression: 신고
Pronunciation: sin-go
Meaning: Report; Declaration - Expression: 준법
Pronunciation: jun-beop
Meaning: Compliance (with the law)
Basic Phrases Using Anti-Corruption Terms
These phrases demonstrate how to use “반부패” and related vocabulary in simple sentences.
- Expression: 반부패 정책이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: ban-bu-pae jeong-chaek-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Anti-corruption policies are important. - Expression: 정부는 부패 척결을 위해 노력하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-neun bu-pae cheok-gyeol-eul wi-hae no-ryeok-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The government is striving to eradicate corruption. - Expression: 우리는 청렴한 사회를 만들어야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-neun cheong-ryeom-han sa-hoe-reul man-deul-eo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must create a society with integrity. - Expression: 뇌물 수수는 불법입니다.
Pronunciation: noe-mul su-su-neun bul-beop-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Accepting bribes is illegal. - Expression: 기업 윤리가 강조되고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gi-eop yun-ri-ga gang-jo-doe-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Corporate ethics are being emphasized. - Expression: 투명성을 높이는 것이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: tu-myeong-seong-eul nop-i-neun geos-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It is necessary to increase transparency. - Expression: 부패 방지 교육을 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-pae bang-ji gyo-yuk-eul bad-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I received corruption prevention training. - Expression: 관련 법규를 준수해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: gwal-lyeon beop-gyu-reul jun-su-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Related laws and regulations must be complied with. - Expression: 부정 행위를 신고했습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-jeong haeng-wi-reul sin-go-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I reported misconduct / an illicit act. - Expression: 반부패 위원회가 조사를 시작했습니다.
Pronunciation: ban-bu-pae wi-won-hoe-ga jo-sa-reul si-jak-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The anti-corruption committee has started an investigation. - Expression: 공직자의 청렴성이 요구됩니다.
Pronunciation: gong-jik-ja-ui cheong-ryeom-seong-i yo-gu-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Integrity is required of public officials. - Expression: 반부패 캠페인을 벌이고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ban-bu-pae kaem-pe-in-eul beol-i-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We are conducting an anti-corruption campaign.
Discussing Anti-Corruption Measures
Here are more complex sentences for discussing anti-corruption efforts, policies, and their impact.
- Expression: 효과적인 반부패 시스템을 구축해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: hyo-gwa-jeok-in ban-bu-pae si-seu-tem-eul gu-chuk-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to establish an effective anti-corruption system. - Expression: 부패는 경제 성장을 저해하는 요인입니다.
Pronunciation: bu-pae-neun gyeong-je seong-jang-eul jeo-hae-ha-neun yo-in-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Corruption is a factor that hinders economic growth. - Expression: 회사의 반부패 규정을 숙지해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-ui ban-bu-pae gyu-jeong-eul suk-ji-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must familiarize yourself with the company’s anti-corruption regulations. - Expression: 정부의 반부패 의지가 확고합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui ban-bu-pae ui-ji-ga hwak-go-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The government’s commitment to anti-corruption is firm. - Expression: 내부 고발자 보호 제도가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: nae-bu go-bal-ja bo-ho je-do-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A whistleblower protection system is needed. - Expression: 국제 사회는 반부패 협력을 강화하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: guk-je sa-hoe-neun ban-bu-pae hyeom-ryeok-eul gang-hwa-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The international community is strengthening anti-corruption cooperation. - Expression: 부패 인식 지수를 개선해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: bu-pae in-sik ji-su-reul gae-seon-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to improve the Corruption Perception Index. - Expression: 청렴 교육을 정기적으로 실시합니다.
Pronunciation: cheong-ryeom gyo-yuk-eul jeong-gi-jeok-eu-ro sil-si-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Integrity training is conducted regularly. - Expression: 반부패 관련 법안이 통과되었습니다.
Pronunciation: ban-bu-pae gwal-lyeon beop-an-i tong-gwa-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: An anti-corruption related bill has been passed. - Expression: 공공 부문의 투명성을 높이기 위한 노력이 계속되고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gong-gong bu-mun-ui tu-myeong-seong-eul nop-i-gi wi-han no-ryeok-i gye-sok-doe-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Efforts to increase transparency in the public sector are ongoing. - Expression: 뇌물 제공은 심각한 범죄입니다.
Pronunciation: noe-mul je-gong-eun sim-gak-han beom-joe-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Offering a bribe is a serious crime. - Expression: 윤리 경영은 기업의 필수 요소입니다.
Pronunciation: yun-ri gyeong-yeong-eun gi-eop-ui pil-su yo-so-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Ethical management is an essential element for corporations.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding anti-corruption in Korea involves recognizing specific cultural and legal contexts.
- Emphasis on 청렴 (Cheong-ryeom): The concept of 청렴 (cheong-ryeom), meaning integrity or incorruptibility, is highly valued, especially for public officials and leaders. It’s a traditional virtue deeply rooted in Confucian ethics.
- The Kim Young-ran Act (김영란법): Officially known as the 청탁금지법 (Cheong-tak-geum-ji-beop – Improper Solicitation and Graft Act), this landmark anti-corruption law, implemented in 2016, sets strict limits on gifts and entertainment that public officials, journalists, and educators can receive. Understanding this law is crucial for business interactions in Korea.
- Public Awareness and Campaigns: Anti-corruption is a frequent topic in Korean media and public discourse. Government agencies and civic groups actively run campaigns (반부패 캠페인 – ban-bu-pae kaem-pe-in) to raise awareness and promote ethical behavior.
- Corporate Compliance: Korean companies, especially large conglomerates (재벌 – jae-beol), face increasing pressure domestically and internationally to implement robust anti-corruption and compliance (준법 – jun-beop) programs.
- Historical Context: Korea has undergone significant efforts to combat systemic corruption, particularly since its democratization. This history shapes the current strong public sentiment against corruption.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Min-jun and Ji-hye, are discussing a mandatory company-wide training session.
Roles:
* A: Min-jun (민준)
* B: Ji-hye (지혜)
- Expression: A: 지혜 씨, 다음 주에 있는 반부패 교육, 내용이 뭘까요?
Pronunciation: ji-hye ssi, da-eum ju-e it-neun ban-bu-pae gyo-yuk, nae-yong-i mwol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Ji-hye, what do you think the content of next week’s anti-corruption training will be? - Expression: B: 아마 새로 개정된 회사 윤리 규정이랑 청탁금지법 관련 내용일 거예요.
Pronunciation: a-ma sae-ro gae-jeong-doen hoe-sa yun-ri gyu-jeong-i-rang cheong-tak-geum-ji-beop gwal-lyeon nae-yong-il geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s probably about the newly revised company ethics regulations and content related to the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. - Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 요즘 회사가 청렴이랑 준법 경영을 정말 강조하는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. yo-jeum hoe-sa-ga cheong-ryeom-i-rang jun-beop gyeong-yeong-eul jeong-mal gang-jo-ha-neun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: Ah, I see. It seems like the company is really emphasizing integrity and compliance management these days. - Expression: B: 맞아요. 투명성을 높이고 부패를 예방하는 게 장기적으로 회사에 더 좋으니까요.
Pronunciation: maj-a-yo. tu-myeong-seong-eul nop-i-go bu-pae-reul ye-bang-ha-neun ge jang-gi-jeok-eu-ro hoe-sa-e deo jo-eu-ni-kka-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. Increasing transparency and preventing corruption is better for the company in the long run. - Expression: A: 교육 잘 듣고, 우리 업무에서도 항상 윤리 규정을 잘 지켜야겠어요.
Pronunciation: gyo-yuk jal deut-go, u-ri eom-mu-e-seo-do hang-sang yun-ri gyu-jeong-eul jal ji-kyeo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: We should listen carefully to the training and always adhere well to the ethical regulations in our work too. - Expression: B: 네, 그게 중요하죠. 반부패는 개인의 노력도 필요하니까요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-ge jung-yo-ha-jyo. ban-bu-pae-neun gae-in-ui no-ryeok-do pil-yo-ha-ni-kka-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s important. Anti-corruption requires individual effort too.
Practice Tips
Mastering terms related to anti-corruption takes practice! Try reading Korean news articles about government policies or corporate ethics~ You’ll see 반부패 (ban-bu-pae), 청렴 (cheong-ryeom), and 투명성 (tu-myeong-seong) used frequently. Discussing these topics, even simply stating “반부패는 중요해요!” (ban-bu-pae-neun jung-yo-hae-yo! – Anti-corruption is important!), with Korean friends or language partners can help solidify your understanding. Pay attention to how these concepts are discussed in Korean society – it reflects important values! Keep practicing~!