Anti-Corruption Commission Temporarily Raises Chuseok Agricultural and Marine Gift Limit from 100,000 to 200,000 Won

Until October 4, the end of Chuseok holidays
To support farms affected by COVID-19
Implemented after approval at the temporary Cabinet meeting on the 10th

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has decided to temporarily raise the gift limit for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products allowed for public officials related to their duties from 100,000 won to 200,000 won during this Chuseok holiday period.

This measure aims to support the agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and to stimulate the sluggish economy.

The Commission announced on the 8th that it passed an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act containing this content at the plenary committee meeting.

The Commission plans to submit the amendment to the temporary Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 10th and implement it immediately.

Accordingly, from the 10th until the end of the Chuseok holiday on the 4th of next month, the exceptional gift value range for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and processed goods that public officials can receive will be expanded from 100,000 won to 200,000 won.

Currently, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act limits the upper limits for food, gifts, and congratulatory/condolence money to 30,000 won, 50,000 won, and 50,000 won respectively, known as the '3·5·5 rule.'

Among these, gifts are allowed up to 100,000 won only for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products.

The Commission explained that this measure is part of livelihood stabilization policies prepared due to the economic difficulties caused by COVID-19, quarantine measures such as refraining from hometown visits and ancestral rites during Chuseok, and serious damage to the agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries caused by typhoons.

Until now, the Commission had maintained a cautious stance on requests to raise the gift value limit, considering legal stability and social consensus.

However, it judged this as the minimally necessary adjustment plan considering the ongoing damage situation in the agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries.

Agricultural products include Korean beef, fish, fruits, and flowers, and processed agricultural, livestock, and fishery products refer to products processed using more than 50% of agricultural and fishery products as raw materials, such as red ginseng, salted seafood, and kimchi.

Im Yoon-joo, Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau at the Commission, stated, "This temporary increase is a response to the severe economic crisis, and considering the high morality required of public officials, we will make every effort to ensure thorough compliance with the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.