A Comparative Study of Multi-Agency Models and Centralized Oversight Systems in China and South Korea's Anti-Corruption Frameworks

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67542/bx4sbk30

Keywords:

South Korean anti-corruption system, Multi-agency model, Centralized oversight, Comparative institutional analysis, Checks and balances

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative institutional analysis of South Korea's multi-agency anti-corruption framework and China's centralized supervision system. South Korea has established a decentralized network of investigative bodies—including the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission(ACRC), the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials(CIO),and the Public Prosecutor's Office—characterized by power diffusion, specialization, and inter-agency checks and balances. However, this model suffers from jurisdictional overlaps, coordination failures, and political interference.In contrast,China has consolidated its anti-corruption efforts through a unified, hierarchical supervisory system under the National Supervision Commission, achieving high efficiency but facing challenges of internal power constraints and procedural safeguards.The divergent paths reflect different political histories and governance philosophies.The article argues that future improvements for both systems require a dynamic balance between decentralization and centralization, efficiency and due process, technological empowerment and rights protection, offering East Asian institutional experiences for global anti-corruption governance.

References

Chen,C.,&Weiss,M.L.(2019).Korea's anticorruption struggles.In The political logics of anticorruption efforts in Asia(p.169).SUNY Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781438477169

Choi,J.-W.,&Bak,J.(2020).The roots of police corruption and anti-corruption reform in South Korea.Asian Education and Development Studies,9(2),169–182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-06-2018-0107

Domning,G.(2021).Challenging the power of the prosecution?The first phase of the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials(Kowigongjikchabŏmjoesusach'ŏ)in the Republic of Korea.Verfassung und Recht inÜbersee/Law and Politics in Africa,Asia and Latin America,54(2),279–300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5771/0506-7286-2021-2-279

Hock,B.,Park,H.,Oh,J.,&Button,M.(2025).The profile and detection of bribery in South Korea.Crime,Law and Social Change,83,15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-025-10201-0

Min,K.-s.(2019).The effectiveness of anti-corruption policies:Measuring the impact of anti-corruption policies on integrity in the public organizations of South Korea.Crime,Law and Social Change,71,217–239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-019-09814-z

Park,C.H.,&Kim,K.(2020).E-government as an anti-corruption tool:Panel data analysis across countries.International Review of Administrative Sciences,86(4),691–707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852318822055

Topchii,V.,Zadereiko,S.,Didkivska,G.,Bodunova,O.,&Shevchenko,D.(2021).International anti-corruption standards.Baltic Journal of Economic Studies,7(5),277–286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2021-7-5-277-286

Liu,Y.(2019).Basic issues on the connection between the Supervision Law and other norms. Legal Forum,34(1),5–15.(In Chinese)

Ma,H.(2016).The important significance and main tasks of the national supervision system reform.Journal of the National Academy of Governance,6,15–21+125.(In Chinese)

Wan,Y.(2018).On the"East Asian model"of procuratorial system development:Implications for China's procuratorial reform.Oriental Law,1,198–208.(In Chinese)

Qin,Q.(2017).Reflections on several issues in the constitutional design of the national supervision system reform.Probe,6,31–39+2.(In Chinese)

Jiang,M.(2018).On the legislative purpose and basic principles of the Supervision Law. Administrative Law Review,4,13–23.(In Chinese)

Chen,G.,&Lan,Z.(2018).Major achievements and expectations for improvement of the supervision system reform.Administrative Law Review,4,3–12.(In Chinese)

Yao,L.(2022).Research on the procuratorial pre-involvement supervision mechanism from the perspective of supervision-procuratorial coordination.Contemporary Law Review,36(4),41–49.(In Chinese)

Chen,W.,&Liu,J.(2021).A study on the multi-supervision and restraint mechanism in the operation of supervisory power.Journal of Guizhou Normal University(Social Sciences),2,149–160.(In Chinese)

Dong,B.,&Zhang,Y.(2021).Research on the legalization path of supervision detention measures.Journal of People's Public Security University of China(Social Sciences Edition),37(1),65–77.(In Chinese)

Zou,H.(2025).Toward legal order unity:The logical interpretation and systematic adjustment of the revision of the Supervision Law.Political Science and Law,5,146–161.(In Chinese)

Xie,X.,&Li,P.(2020).Handling of supervision cases in the context of trial-centered reform. Jiangxi Social Sciences,40(12),170–180.(In Chinese)

Wang,G.,&Zhou,H.(2021).Supervising the supervisors:Exploration and breakthrough of the special supervisory agent system in the new era.Theoretical Investigation,1,119–124.(In Chinese)

Wang,L.,&Li,H.(2025).Conceptual structure and cultural anti-corruption:A survey and comparison of public tolerance toward corruption in China and South Korea—Based on data from the seventh round(2017–2020)of the World Values Survey.Studies on Integrity Culture,16(3),74–86.(In Chinese)

Published

2026-08-05