Prime Minister Jeong Reviews Allowing Agricultural and Marine Products Lunar New Year Gifts from 100,000 to 200,000 Won

Meeting with NongHyup Central Association and others
Prime Minister Jeong directs Anti-Corruption Commission to review
Temporary increase also during Chuseok 2020

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun. / Photo by Jin-hyeong Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 5th that the government will "actively consider" raising the allowable gift value for agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products during the Lunar New Year holiday from the current 100,000 won to 200,000 won.

On the afternoon of the same day, Prime Minister Chung made these remarks during a meeting at the Government Seoul Office with the chairpersons of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, Korea Forest Service, and Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business.

The chairpersons expressed the difficulties faced by the agricultural and marine industries due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

To support farmers and fishermen, they requested that the government raise the gift value limit stipulated in the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft (Improper Solicitation and Graft Act) from the current 100,000 won to 200,000 won for agricultural and marine products such as Korean beef and flowers, as well as processed agricultural and marine products, during this year's Lunar New Year holiday.

Previously, the government temporarily raised the gift value limit from 100,000 won to 200,000 won for agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products during last year's Chuseok holiday for the same reason.

Prime Minister Chung said, "We fully understand the hardships our farmers and fishermen are experiencing due to decreased consumption in the dining and catering industries caused by COVID-19, the suspension of school meals, and reduced visits home during the Lunar New Year."

He added, "Raising the limit every holiday could potentially weaken the legislative intent of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and be misinterpreted by the public as a decline in the government's commitment to establishing a culture of integrity, so a cautious approach is necessary. However, considering the unprecedented crisis, if the public understands, the government will consider it."

Prime Minister Chung instructed Lee Geon-ri, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, who attended the meeting, to review the possibility of adjusting the gift value limit for agricultural and marine products during this Lunar New Year holiday period.

He also asked the chairpersons, "Please have the farmers' and fishermen's organizations take the lead in thoroughly explaining the necessity and purpose of this temporary measure so that the public can understand and sympathize with it."

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