Fisheries Industry Pressures Government to Raise Holiday Gift Value to 200,000 Won

"Appeal to Resolve Seafood Consumption Cliff Ahead of Holiday Peak... Kwon Ik-wi's Progressive Decision"
"Kwon Ik-wi's Recommendation Causes Misunderstanding That Gift Value Limits Apply to Private Sector Too" Claims

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the fisheries industry is desperately requesting to raise the gift value limit under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act from 100,000 won to 200,000 won for this Chuseok holiday, following last Chuseok and this year's Lunar New Year. They are pressuring the government to permanently fix the gift value limit increase during holidays. They expressed concerns that, according to the recent recommendation issued by the government, the same legal principles could effectively apply even to the private sector, which is not subject to the gift value limit under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

On the 5th, the Korea Fisheries Industry Federation (HanSuChong) demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's 'Integrity Gift Recommendation.' The recommendation includes expanding the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act to the private sector. It is planned to be implemented ahead of the Chuseok holiday, but HanSuChong questioned, "Why now of all times?"

HanSuChong stated, "The recommendation for the private sector, which would exacerbate the contraction of agricultural, fishery, and livestock product consumption amid the national disaster of COVID-19, must be withdrawn. To revitalize the fishing village economy by resolving the consumption cliff of seafood, we hope the gift value limit for agricultural, fishery, and livestock products will be regularly raised to 200,000 won at least during the holiday period."

HanSuChong added, "The recommendation being prepared by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is an ethical code setting appropriate gift values applicable among stakeholders in the private sector, applying the same standards as the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Although it lacks legal enforceability, it could be perceived that there are gift value restrictions in the private sector as well, raising concerns that this could lead to a contraction in the consumption of agricultural, fishery, and livestock products."

They continued, "We agree with the purpose of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, but it has ultimately resulted in a decrease in seafood consumption. Considering the difficult reality of the domestic fisheries industry due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we hope the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will make a progressive decision."

According to HanSuChong, the fisheries industry is facing difficulties due to adverse factors such as a surge in imported seafood, illegal fishing by Chinese vessels, and a decrease and aging of the fishing population. Since the implementation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in 2016, seafood consumption has significantly declined, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened the concerns of fishermen.