Although there are frequent cases of national professional qualifications and licenses being misused as a means to make money, the current law does not have any penal provision for those who mediate the rental of licenses for the handling of nuclear fuel material, radioactive isotopes, etc.

Since national qualifications and licenses are directly connected to people’s lives, properties, rights, and duty and form the basis for trust when transacting mutually, it is necessary to strictly control acts of renting and mediating them through administrative disposition and criminal penalty. Last December, the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission voted on “strengthening the sanctions on national professional qualifications and licenses rental and mediation activities,” and recommended amendment of the current law.

Special care must be taken with nuclear energy in particular, since it is directly connected to people’s lives, and the relevant licensees have great social responsibility and moral duty to the public.

Hence, prohibiting corrupt practices such as the rental and mediation of licenses managed by the “Nuclear Safety Act” and strengthening the penalty for violation to license revocation and imprisonment for up to three years or fine of up to 30 million won will hopefully contribute to the prevention of corrupt practices and the establishment of a culture of integrity (Article 88, paragraph 2; Article 116, subparagraphs 4 and 5 newly inserted, etc.).

Prohibit the rental, mediation, etc. of licenses (Article 88)