어용에르덴 몽골 총리 3년, 부정부패 척결 어디까지
*아시아엔 해외필진 기고문의 한글번역본과 원문을 함께 게재합니다.
[아시아엔=출룬바타르 돌고르, USB 설립자, 몽골] 지난 10년간 몽골의 총리 중 3년 이상 자리를 지키고 있는 어용에르덴 현 총리를 제외한 나머지는 평균적으로 1년 반 이하의 짧은 임기를 마쳐야만 했다.
어용에르덴 총리가 이끄는 몽골은 2021년 ‘새로운 부흥’을 내세우며 주목할 만한 경제 성과를 내기 시작했다. 최근 수년간 GDP가 43.6조 MNT(약 17조원)에서 62.4조 MNT(약 24조원)으로 급등한 것이다. 2024년은 GDP 74조 MNT(약 29조원)과 7%의 경제성장률을 기록할 것으로 예상된다. 정부의 올바른 정책과 더불어 막대한 규모의 지하경제가 실물경제에 편입된 것이 주 원인이다.
2021년 7월 총리에 선출된 어용에르덴은 부패를 ‘최악의 암세포’라 지적하며 부패척결에 집중했다. 당시 총리는 “부패를 척결하는 것은 우리의 우호세력과 맞서 싸우는 것을 의미한다. 지금 우리는 그들을 눈감아주고 충성을 얻을 것인지, 아니면 조국의 복지국가를 이룩할 것인지의 기로에 서 있다”고 말했다. 그 후 약 3년간 몽골 정부는 투명한 정밀조사를 통해 대규모 부패스캔들을 파헤쳤다.
광활한 국토에 330만명 인구가 살고 있는 몽골은 세계에서 인구밀도가 가장 낮은 나라에 속한다. 몽골은 석탄, 구리, 금, 우라늄, 몰리브덴과 희토류 등 광물자원이 풍부해 GDP에서 높은 비중을 차지하지만, 환경 문제와 부패의 온상이 되고 있어 사회적 책임과 투명한 관리가 절실하다. 몽골은 지난 30년간 국가에 만연한 부패로 시름해 왔는데, 최근 몇 년 사이 지하경제와 지하금융의 실체가 속속 밝혀지고 있다.
어용에르덴 총리 집권 이후 금융청문회도 여러 차례 열렸다. 이를 통해 개발은행의 부실대출이 폭로됐고, 조사 결과 그동안 수면 아래 있었던 정치인과 기업인들의 대규모 부정부패가 밝혀졌다. 사건에 연루된 연루자 80명과 법인 4곳이 형사재판에 회부되기도 했는데, 기각 판결 이후에도 몽골 정부는 부실채권을 상환하도록 압력을 가해 일정 규모 이상의 채권을 추심하는데 성공했다.
몽골 정부는 부패척결을 위해 형법도 개정했다. 부정부패에 연루된 공직자는 권력남용죄로 12~20년의 중형을 부과하고 평생 공직에 복귀할 수 없도록 했다. 수십억 달러의 뇌물을 수수한 사람이라도 자백할 경우에는 벌금을 대폭 감면해줬는데, 그 정도로 몽골 정부는 부정부패를 뿌리뽑고자 하는 의지가 강했다. 정부와 별도로 몽골 의회는 부패전문법원 설립 법안을 제출했다. 법안이 통과되면 2025년까지 몽골에 부패전문법원이 설립돼 법의 감시가 강화될 예정이다.
2023년 들어 몽골 정부는 포괄적인 반부패 이니셔티브를 도입하면서 ‘부패와의 전쟁의 해’를 선포, 제반 조치들을 마련했다. ‘휘슬 이니셔티브’는 내부고발자의 법적 보호를 위한 장치로, ‘브룸 이니셔티브’는 정치권 거물의 호화생활과 부정한 인사청탁을 방지하는 것을 목표로 시행됐다. 해외로 도피한 부패혐의자를 재판에 회부하기 위한 ‘버드 이니셔티브’, 외국에 보관된 불법 자산을 몽골로 송환해오기 위한 ‘트랜스퍼 이니셔티브’, 공공기관의 투명성 제고와 공적자금의 공정한 배분을 위한 ‘글래스 이니셔티브’도 도입됐다.
어용에르덴 총리가 이끄는 몽골국민당은 2024년 6월 선거를 앞두고 있다. 이번 선거는 2023년 5월 헌법 개정 이후 처음 실시되는 것으로 의석이 종전 76석에서 126석으로 증가됐으며 이 가운데 48석은 비례대표로 선출된다. 자리잡지 못한 선거제도와 낮은 투표율이 변수로 떠오른 가운데 부패정치에 환멸을 느낀 젊은 세대가 얼만큼 투표에 참여하느냐가 향방을 가를 것으로 보인다.
어용에르덴 총리는 2023년 12월 의회에서 이렇게 말했다. “반부패 십자군의 첫 걸음을 뗀 우리는 새 시대의 갈림길에 놓여 있다. 몽골의 성장을 가로막는 가장 암초같은 장애물은 바로 부패한 공무원들이다.”
As Mongolia’s Prime Minister Oyun-Eredene nears 3rd anniversary
Chuluuunbaatar Dolgor, Founder of USB, Mongolia
In the last decade, Mongolian governance has grappled with instability, apart from Prime Minister Oyun-Erden’s notable three-year term. On average, other governments barely surpassed 1.5 years, underscoring the recurring challenge of maintaining stability and continuity in the political arena.
Mongolia has undergone a remarkable economic journey, marked by the initiation of the “New Revival Policy” in 2021. This initiative propelled the GDP from 43.6 trillion MNT to 62.4 trillion MNT by 2023, indicative of a resilient and burgeoning economy. Projections for 2024 forecast a robust growth rate of 7 percent, aiming for a GDP of 74 trillion MNT. These numbers underscore profound changes resulting from concerted efforts to unveil and dismantle Mongolia’s extensive hidden economy.
In July 2021, the newly elected Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai launched an intensive campaign against corruption, describing it as Mongolia’s “cancer.” Reflecting on the challenges ahead, the Prime Minister candidly declared, “Fighting corruption means taking on allies. At this crossroads, we must decide whether to prioritize allegiances to allies or the welfare of our nation.” Over the following three years, the administration unveiled major corruption scandals, marking a period characterized by heightened scrutiny and a commitment to transparency.
Mongolia stands as a paradox-a country of considerable size with one of the world’s lowest population densities, with a mere 3.3 million people. As the second-largest landlocked nation, Mongolia strategically borders Russia and China. Rich in minerals like coal, copper, gold, uranium, molybdenum, and rare earth elements, Mongolia is recognized as one of the most resource-rich nations. The mining sector, a vital contributor to GDP, presents not only economic promise but also challenges ranging from environmental impact and social responsibility to corruption and the imperative for transparent resource management.
The past three decades Mongolia has grappled with an extensive corrupt system, revealing an underground economy and covert financial networks coming to light in recent years.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene, a series of public hearings shed light on significant cases of financial malfeasance. The initial focus was on the controversial matter of 1.6 billion bad loans issued by the Development Bank. Led by Member of Parliament Battumur Enkhbayar, a comprehensive three-stage public hearing meticulously explored the intricacies of projects and programs financed by the Development Bank, scrutinizing results, loan issuance, and repayment. Witness statements from officials, borrowers, and related parties, coupled with expert opinions, provided a thorough examination. Notably, 300 witnesses, including civil servants and business owners, contributed to the proceedings, unveiling previously undisclosed information about the Development Bank’s role as a financial conduit for politicians and businessmen. The revelations resonated with citizens, exposing the bank’s transformation into a haven for political and business interests, information previously absent from press coverage.
Following the open hearing, a criminal trial ensued, involving 80 individuals and four legal entities connected to the Development Bank. The trial, spanning 47 days in Ulaanbaatar, ultimately ended with a dismissal verdict.
However, the government’s proactive measures led to the repayment of active non-performing loans, creating a window of opportunity to settle bond debts on schedule. Notably, the Mongolian government’s successful repayment of $500 million in Eurobonds and $200 million in Samurai bonds stands as a tangible outcome of the relentless fight against theft and fraud.
Anti-corruption initiative
The Mongolian government, in a sweeping move to combat corruption, amended the Criminal Code, imposing harsh penalties of 12~20 years and a lifetime ban from public office for those found guilty of abusing power. A significant legal change involved abolishing simplified fines for confessing to crimes, even in cases involving multi-billion bribes.
The parliament introduced a bill advocating for the creation of a specialized corruption court, aligned with the government’s revised draft on court establishment. If approved, these measures are anticipated to establish a dedicated corruption court in Mongolia by 2025.
In 2023, the Mongolian Government declared the “Year of Fighting Corruption,” introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption initiative. The Whistle initiative involves presenting a draft law to Parliament addressing the legal status of whistle blowers. This law, comprising five chapters and 22 articles, aims to support, protect, and encourage whistle blowers reporting corruption and official crimes. If approved, citizens providing accurate information may be rewarded with sums ranging from 100 million to 1.5 billion.
The Broom Initiative targets the extravagant lifestyles of political influencers beyond their legal income and aims to prevent appointments to public offices through personal connections. A sweep operation in the previous year identified 6,278 violations, resulting in notices sent to 1,334 officials, 481 dismissals, and corrective measures for 1,344.
Launched in 2023, the Bird initiative focuses on individuals who fled during corruption investigations. Notable figures, including former Prime Minister Ch. Saihanbileg and ex-Minister of Food and Agriculture T. Badamjunai, were among the 91 individuals sought while successful outcomes being result.
The Transfer Initiative, initiated in 2023, involves the State Security Agency identifying and repatriating illegal assets stashed in offshore areas and foreign countries. The Glass Initiative intensifies electronization to enhance transparency in public institutions and the allocation of public funds. Special attention is given to revealing activities of budget-financed special funds and information about land allocations by the capital’s governors.
Despite these accomplishments, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene’s Mongolian People’s Party faces a challenging election in June 2024. The upcoming elections mark the first since the recent constitutional amendment in May 2023, expanding parliamentary seats from 76 to 126, with 48 chosen by proportional representation. The enlarged legislative branch aspires to fortify multi-party governance; yet electoral system instability and low voter representation persist. Mongolia grapples with a disillusioned and disinterested younger generation, largely attributed to pervasive corruption in politics.
“In essence, we stand at the precipice of a new era, advancing through the initial phases of the anti-corruption crusade. Currently, the most substantial obstacle impeding the translation of economic growth into an improved quality of life for every citizen is the existence of corrupt officials,” expressed Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene during last month’s parliamentary hearing.
As the election looms, with half of Mongolia’s population residing in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing pressing issues in the city comprehensively. He noted that the predicament of the national capital has morphed into a nationwide crisis.