Resolution on Increasing Meal Expense Limits under the Anti-Graft Act Scheduled
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the 22nd that it will hold a plenary session to review the report concerning former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's 'helicopter transfer preferential treatment controversy.'
The ACRC received multiple reports claiming that although former leader Lee, who was attacked with a weapon in Busan on January 2nd, was not in a life-threatening condition, he was transported to Seoul by a 119 fire department helicopter, which was an excessive preferential treatment. Accordingly, the ACRC has been investigating whether the emergency helicopter transfer of former leader Lee at that time violated the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and whether there was any illegal preferential treatment during his transfer to Seoul National University Hospital.
At the plenary session on this day, the ACRC is also expected to approve a proposal to raise the meal expense limit under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. However, even if the resolution is passed, the enforcement decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act must be amended for the actual limit increase to take effect.
Enacted in 2016, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act generally prohibits public officials from accepting money or valuables, while exceptionally allowing food worth up to 30,000 won and agricultural, fishery, and processed gifts worth up to 150,000 won provided for smooth job performance, social, or ceremonial purposes.
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