This Chuseok, "Public Officials Cannot Receive 200,000 Won Hanwoo Gifts" 'Final Word'

Gift Value Limit under the Improper Solicitation Act Raised from 100,000 to 200,000 Won "No Gifts This Chuseok"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has firmly stated that "there will be no increase in the gift value limit of 200,000 won for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products for public officials under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Kim Young-ran Act) this Chuseok." Although it is true that farmers and fishermen are facing difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 fourth wave, the reason is that repeating the exceptions applied during last year's Chuseok and this year's Lunar New Year could undermine the purpose of the law.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, announced through National Assembly inquiries and media interviews that there will be no adjustment to the gift value limit this Chuseok.

On the 6th, Prime Minister Kim attended the plenary session of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee and said, "It is difficult to keep applying exceptions without amending the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act." When Jeong Un-cheon, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, and Fisheries Committee from the People Power Party, repeatedly asked about the intention to raise the limit, Prime Minister Kim said, "Honestly, the political circle should change the law, but since the political circle does not bear the (political) burden and grants exceptions every holiday, it keeps happening like this," adding, "The lawmakers should confidently persuade the public for the government to implement it. It is difficult to keep making exceptions (raising the gift value limit) like this."

Chairperson Jeon said that the decision on whether to raise the limit depends on the plenary committee, the highest decision-making body of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and that it would be difficult to raise the value this Chuseok. In response to Jeong's question, Chairperson Jeon replied, "We deeply empathize with the difficulties of farmers and fishermen, but the authority to decide the gift value limit related to the enforcement decree of the law lies with the plenary committee."

On the 10th, when asked a similar question on a radio broadcast, Chairperson Jeon responded, "There are parts that the public does not agree with, and if the standards are changed repeatedly, the purpose of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act could be undermined." She maintained the position of not allowing changes.

Meanwhile, since the 8th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has been promoting the 'Proper Understanding of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act' campaign and plans to distribute 10,000 related promotional posters to public institutions (5,000 copies), major large marts (4,000 copies), and public transportation such as KTX stations, rest areas, and airports (1,000 copies). The posters include information that while there is a gift value limit for public officials, there is no value limit for gifts exchanged among the general public.