Transparency (Open Budget Index) 65/100 

The Government of South Korea provides the public with substantial budget information.

Public Participation 83/100 

The Government of South Korea provides the public with adequate opportunities to engage in the budget process.

Budget Oversight 

By legislature 73/100

Budget oversight by the legislature in South Korea is adequate.

By auditor 50/100

Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in South Korea is limited.

Recommendations 

Improving Transparency

South Korea should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:

  • Produce and publish a Mid-Year Review.
  • Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by, for example, presenting more details on the classification of expenditures for future years and the classification of revenues for prior years.
  • Increase the comprehensiveness of the Pre-Budget Statement.
Improving Participation

South Korea should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:

  • Hold legislative hearings to review and scrutinize Audit Reports.
Improving Oversight

South Korea should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:

  • Ensure the Executive’s Budget Proposal is approved by legislators at least one month before the start of the budget year.
  • In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.
  • Require legislative or judicial approval to remove the head of the supreme audit institution.