The food (meal) price limit, known as the ‘Kim Young-ran Law’, will be raised from 30,000 won to 50,000 won starting on the 27th. However, the plan to raise the gift price of agricultural and marine products and processed goods is still under discussion.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced on the morning of the 19th that the Cabinet meeting passed a revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Receipt of Money, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the Anti-Graft Act) to increase the food value range, and that it will be applied immediately after it is promulgated and implemented on the 27th after receiving presidential approval.
According to the Anti-Corruption Act, exceptional bribery is permitted for food and beverages worth less than 30,000 won provided to public officials and others for the purpose of smooth performance of duties, social interaction, or ceremonial purposes.
However, as the food price standards from when the Civil Servant Code of Conduct was established in 2003 have been maintained for over 20 years, concerns have been raised about the declining effectiveness of the system.
There have been continued appeals from various sectors to raise the food price standards to make them more realistic, in order to support small business owners and self-employed individuals who are struggling due to high prices, economic downturn, and decreased consumption.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission explained that it has taken measures to enhance the normative power of the system and revitalize people’s lives in line with changes in the social and economic environment while maintaining the values of fairness and integrity inherent in the Anti-Corruption Act.
However, the plan to raise the gift value of agricultural and marine products and processed products to 300,000 won at all times is still under discussion. Accordingly, the gift value range of agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products will be applied as usual at 150,000 won and 300,000 won during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok gift periods, as per the current standard. This Chuseok is on September 17, so the period in which the gift value of agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products will be raised to 300,000 won will be from August 24 to September 22.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will inform public officials and others of the revised contents so that they are fully aware of them, and will also actively promote comprehensive public relations to the public using various media outlets.
Yoo Cheol-hwan, chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said, “The Anti-Corruption Act has contributed to improving unfair practices, such as improper solicitation and acceptance of bribes, throughout our society and developing a more transparent and honest society.” He added, “The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will continue to do its best to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Act can be implemented as an effective anti-corruption norm.”
Reporter Kim Jeong-hyeon Photo News 1
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2024-08-20 10:37:32