Back-
Signing of MOU between Korean and Australian Ombudsmen
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of Korea (Chairman Sungbo Lee) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman of Australia (Ombudsman Colin Neave) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Canberra on June 10th, 2015 in order to enhance rights and interests of Koreans and Australians living in the other country and cooperation between the two Ombudsmen.
As exchanges between the two countries are further promoted, complaints filed by nationals in the other country are expected to increase as well. Recognizing that the bilateral cooperative channel is necessary to more rapidly and fairly deal with this situation, the two Ombudsmen have put efforts into signing the MOU.
The MOU will provide mutual benefits to complainants of the two countries. For example, each side will provide ”translation services” so that their nationals residing in the other country can file and receive complaints in their country’s language. Also, the two parties agreed to foster cooperation by regularly exchanging information on complaints of Korean and Australian people living in the other country to better protect their rights and interests.
Going forward, the two Ombudsmen will keenly share ideas and insights concerning their best practices and policies in a teleconference.
The ACRC and the Commonwealth Ombudsman introduced their functions and mandates and actively exchanged opinions on major achievements such as public interest whistleblowing system at the Policy Briefing Session following the signing of the MOU.
In addition, the complaint clinic session was held in the presence of Deputy Ombudsman Richard Glenn of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to listen to inconveniences Koreans face while living in Australia.
Chairman Sungbo Lee of the ACRC said, “I wish the bilateral MOU between the two Ombudsmen will greatly uphold rights and interests of both nationals living in the other country and can become one of the best practices of Ombudsmen’s development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Source: Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, Republic of Korea
