[Column] The Anti-Corruption Commission Hesitates to Revive Domestic Demand Due to Public Opinion

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "We plan to carefully review the matter through processes such as forming a national consensus and consulting with related agencies."

With the Lunar New Year holiday just over a month away, Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), has yet to make a decision on the request to raise the gift value limit for agricultural and marine products under the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft (Improper Solicitation and Graft Act) from 100,000 won to 200,000 won. The ACRC is the main government agency responsible for this Act.

Attention is focused on Chairperson Jeon’s stance because, despite strong demands from the livestock and agricultural industries as well as related ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries since the beginning of the year, she has remained unmoved.

On the 5th, agricultural cooperatives met with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to request a temporary increase in the gift value limit, and Prime Minister Chung immediately instructed the ACRC Vice Chairperson to review the matter. Two days later, the ministers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also made an unusual visit to the Chairperson of the ACRC to directly request an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, which contains the basis for the gift value limit.

There is also an understandable reason why the Chairperson has not responded positively. The executive branch, which must uphold the law, faces a significant burden in having to break the principle again after last year’s Chuseok holiday.

Within the ACRC, they are monitoring public opinion by even checking comments on internet news, and they are quite aware of criticism such as, "Isn't this a law exclusively for public officials who can afford to give and receive gifts over 100,000 won?"

However, now is not the time to stick to principles. In an emergency situation where the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has worsened people’s livelihoods, any measures must be taken to stimulate domestic demand.

The timing of the decision is also important. Although the gift value limit for agricultural, livestock, and marine products was temporarily raised ahead of last year’s Chuseok holiday, the amendment to the Enforcement Decree was only approved at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting 20 days before the holiday, resulting in the industry not fully enjoying the special demand.

Since Chairperson Jeon took office, the ACRC has emphasized the message that "passive administration is also corruption." If the law and principles are strictly upheld, it would be no different from practicing passive administration.

The ACRC is expected to submit the agenda to raise the gift value limit to the plenary committee meeting on the 11th, one month before the Lunar New Year holiday. It is hoped that the outcome will meet the requests from various sectors.

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