The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea and the Anti-Corruption Commissioner of Tonga convened a technical exchange last Friday to support the implementation of Tonga’s newly enacted Whistleblower Protection Act.

The exchange was facilitated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) under the European Union-funded Vaka Pasifika Project, with targeted support for whistleblower protection provided by the Republic of Korea in collaboration with the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre through its SDG Partnership Programme.

As Tonga moves from implementing it newly enacted legislation the session provided a platform to share practical insights on designing systems that ensure safe reporting, confidentiality, and effective case management.

Whistleblower protection remains one of the most critical—yet complex—pillars of effective anti-corruption systems. It requires not only strong legal frameworks, but also trusted systems, institutional coordination, and cultural shifts to ensure individuals can report wrongdoing safely.

Director International Relations for the ACRC, Mina Hwang said:

“Corruption erodes public trust and hinders sustainable development, making whistleblowing a critical pillar for a transparent and accountable society.”

“We hope this exchange will serve as an important milestone in Tonga’s journey toward justice, integrity, and good governance.”

During the exchange, ACRC shared its experience in operationalising whistleblower protection systems in the Republic of Korea, widely recognised for its comprehensive and innovative approach. This includes legal and institutional frameworks, as well as the Clean Portal - an integrated digital platform that supports confidential reporting, protection measures, and incentive mechanisms for whistleblowers.

Executive Director for ACC Tonga, Mele Mangisi stated:

“It was impressive to see how advanced the Clean Portal system design is—it was much more than what we expected. It really pushed us to think beyond our current approach, particularly in terms of protective measures and tools such as incentives and rewards, which we had not previously considered.”

The exchange also provided space for dialogue between participants, enabling discussion on implementation challenges, institutional priorities, and practical considerations for adapting international experience to Tonga’s context.  

Further insights are available in a recent policy brief by the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, “Whistleblower Protection Model of the Republic of Korea: Key Features and Insights” (March 2026), which highlights key elements of Korea’s approach and lessons for countries seeking to strengthen their own systems.

Through the Vaka Pasifika Project, UNDP supports Pacific Island countries to strengthen accountability systems by working across government, oversight institutions, and civil society, with a focus on translating policy commitments into practical systems that strengthen transparency and accountability.  

This collaboration reflects a growing partnership between Pacific countries and the Republic of Korea in advancing governance and anti-corruption efforts through peer learning and applied exchange. 

For more information please contact:

Maraia Vavaitamana I Vaka Project MEL and Communications Manager I UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji I maraia.vavaitamana@undp.org