Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission chairperson Mr Michael Reza (left) and Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, Mr Ryu Chul Whan (right) exchange documents after signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the Government Complex in Seoul, Korea, yesterday. 
Herald Reporter
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea has pledged to support the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in strengthening its fight against corruption in the public sector.
The commitment was made at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ZACC and ACRC at the Korean Government Complex in Seoul, yesterday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ACRC chairperson Mr Ryu Chul Whan expressed satisfaction with the elevated relations between Korea and Zimbabwe.
“We are impressed and respect Zimbabwe’s efforts to tackle corruption. We are prepared to share knowledge and expertise and we will be glad if Zimbabwe can suggest practical steps for operationalising the MOU,” he said.
Mr Whan also added that the Republic of Korea’s efforts had improved its Corruption Perception Index ranking to 30th out of 180 countries in 2024.
ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said this collaboration will enable the Zimbabwean commission to adopt and adapt proven mechanisms like the integrity assessment and corruption risk assessment and work towards institutionalising integrity training for all public officials.
“Zimbabwe has been doing integrity pledges and integrity committees and will consider expanding the programme to incorporate trainings,” he said.
“The ACRC’s corruption risk assessment mechanism will be an excellent model for Zimbabwe. This systematic approach allows for the identification of corruption risks within public administration processes.”
The Republic of Korea has a strong legal framework which includes the Anti-Graft Act, Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, Public Fund Recovery Act, Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which seeks to prohibit bribery and improper solicitation and the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act.
These laws set behavioural rules for public officials. Zimbabwe and Korea have enjoyed warm and cordial bilateral relations for the past 31 years. The two countries have exchanged high-level visits, including by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who visited Seoul in June last year when he attended the Korea-Africa Summit and held bilateral discussions with the President of the Republic of Korea HE Mr Yoon Suk Yeol, where five agreements spanning trade, aviation, agriculture, and private-sector collaboration were sealed. The new MOU was spearheaded by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Republic of Korea, Ambassador Stewart Nyakotyo, resident in Japan, when he met the ACRC chairperson.
Ambassador Nyakotyo said the MOU is an important milestone in the deepening of bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Korea.
“It will assist in the strengthening of international partnerships in line with the foreign policy mantra pronouncement by President Mnangagwa, that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none.
“The objectives of the MoU will assist Zimbabwe in the attainment of National Development Strategy goals and those of the soon-to-be-produced NDS2.”
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