Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in pledged Wednesday to enhance investigative authorities and legal codes against corruption if elected president.

He announced that he would revive an independent anti-corruption commission scrapped by President Lee Myung-bak and restrict presidential pardons for those convicted of bribery, malfeasance and embezzlement.

The measures are among the four-pronged anti-corruption plans that also include improving protection for whistleblowers and the regulations regarding former civil servants’ relations with the private sector.

“I believe that corruption is the biggest obstacle preventing advancement into a fair society,” Moon told reporters.

Moon laid out a series of measures this week to reform politics and eliminate corruption as he seeks to unify candidacy with independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo. Ahn indicated that their alliance will be anchored on consent on plans for improving politics tainted by graft and unfair privileges.

On Tuesday, Moon revealed his reform measures for the investigative organizations of the government. Tuesday’s announcement included plans for establishing an independent body for investigating high-ranking government officials, and altering the investigation rights of the police and the prosecutors’ office.

“The Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption will be revived as an independent body to address the problem of corruption.”

The agency was merged with other related organizations to form the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in 2008.

Moon also plans to introduce measures to prevent collusion between businesses and public officials.

Saying that without severing the crooked ties between businesses and public officials, Korea could not become a transparent society, he said that he would set an example.

“The system will be reformed so that siblings of presidents and presidential candidates will have to disclose their assets to systemically prevent corruption around the president,” Moon said.

Moon also said that he will designate five illegal acts including bribery, dereliction of duty and embezzlement as five major corruption crimes, and that related standards will be raised to prevent suspended sentences being given to those guilty of such offenses.

Moon added that individuals who have been involved in such activities as well as those who have taken part in real estate speculation, tax evasion, false reporting of a change of address, illegal activities related to national service and plagiarism will be prohibited from taking public office.

The DUP candidate also plans to introduce tougher measures to regulate public officials’ relations with the private sector.

“System restricting (former) public officials from being hired by related organizations will be strengthened and its scope will be expanded to include law firms and others,” Moon said. Under his plans, public officials who come into contact with retired officials will be required to submit a written report of the incident to the audit department of the organization to prevent illicit lobbying.

Regarding those who provide information on corruption activities, Moon said that related regulations will be revised to offer stronger protection, and increase their application to the private sector.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)