Partly public
Asset declarations in South Korea: who declares and whether it is public
Laws
Who must declare
Civil servants in political service, Grade 4 and above (Grade 5 and below in certain services such as audit and tax), judges and prosecutors, certain university presidents and deans, military colonels and above, and heads and deputy heads of public agencies, according to the Ministry of Personnel Management.1
What is declared
Property held by the official, the spouse, and lineal ascendants and descendants (those who are not dependents may decline). Items include real property rights, cash, deposits, securities, claims and debts over KRW 10 million per owner, gold and platinum over KRW 5 million, gemstones, antiques and artwork over KRW 5 million per item, memberships, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, partnership equity, stock options and certain intellectual property rights.1
How often
Initial registration within two months after becoming subject to the requirement, and annual reports of changes by the end of February of the following year. Registration can be postponed up to three years in cases such as overseas secondment or leave.1
Public access
The registered property of civil servants of Grade 1 and above and certain senior officials is disclosed by the relevant civil service ethics committee. Regular disclosure takes place once a year in March, and non-regular disclosure takes place monthly for first-time registrants and retirees. Registrations of other officials are not disclosed.1
Where to find declarations
Disclosed records are published by each civil service ethics committee for the officials under its jurisdiction. In its 2012 submission to the UNCAC working group, Korea said registered property is published in the official gazette within one month of the registration due date. The Ministry of Personnel Management describes the system at https://www.mpm.go.kr/english/system/infoEthics/bizEthics01.1,2
Who verifies
Civil service ethics committees, including the Government Civil Service Ethics Committee. Every disclosed official is examined and other registrants are examined if selected under set criteria. Examiners check accuracy, omissions and misrepresentation, and review how property was acquired, including the source of funds.1
Sanctions in law
The committee may issue warnings and corrective orders, impose penalties, publish false reporting in a newspaper advertisement section, or request dismissal or disciplinary action. Where property was acquired unlawfully it may notify relevant bodies and request an investigation by the Minister of Justice. The Act includes provisions on disciplinary action (article 22) and administrative fines (article 30).1,3
Checked 28 October 2026.
Sources
- Ministry of Personnel Management, Republic of Korea, Public Officials' Property Registration and Disclosure
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ethics Program for Public Officials, Republic of Korea submission to the UNCAC Working Group on Prevention (7 May 2012)
- Korea Legislation Research Institute, Public Service Ethics Act, English table of contents (30 December 2014)