South Korea lifts cap on anti-corruption whistleblower rewards

The South Korean Cabinet approved an amendment to the enforcement decree of the Act on the Prevention of Corruption, scrapping the existing 3 billion-won limit on whistleblower rewards. Previously, rewards ranged from 4 % to 30 % of recovered revenue, with larger recoveries receiving lower percentages and a hard cap. The revised policy sets the reward base at a flat 30 % of any recovered amount, independent of the total, though the exact figure can still be reduced depending on the informant’s contribution and the accuracy of the tip.

Officials said the adjustment aims to encourage more reports by aligning payouts with the value of the information provided. The amendment becomes effective the Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting. This move reflects a broader effort to strengthen anti-corruption measures in South Korea.