Chairman of the Rights Commission: "The Kim Young-ran Act Should Be Relaxed for Lunar New Year Only If the Public Agrees"

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee Meets with 5 Agricultural, Forestry, Livestock, and Fisheries Organizations
Chairperson Jeon: "Sympathize with Farmers' Difficulties... Need for Public Sympathy" Cautious Approach

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is speaking at a meeting with representatives from the agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries sectors held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 11th. (Photo by Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated on the 11th that the request from the industry to raise the gift value limit for agricultural and marine products under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act from 100,000 won to 200,000 won during the Lunar New Year holiday must consider various aspects, including "the public's standards for integrity and negative public opinion that views raising the limit as weakening the commitment to a clean society."

Chairperson Jeon made these remarks during a meeting at the Government Seoul Office with the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup), National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup), Korea Forest Cooperative Federation, Korea Federation of SMEs, and Korea Federation of Agricultural and Livestock Associations.

These organizations requested the government to raise the "gift value range for agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products" under the enforcement decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act for the Lunar New Year holiday to support the agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries industries struggling due to the spread of COVID-19.

Attendees included Chairperson Jeon, Lee Seong-hee, President of NongHyup; Lim Joon-taek, President of Suhyup; Choi Chang-ho, President of the Korea Forest Cooperative Federation; Seo Seung-won, Vice Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs; and Lim Young-ho, President of the Korea Federation of Agricultural and Livestock Associations.

The participants appealed for a temporary increase in the gift value limit under the enforcement decree for the Lunar New Year holiday, citing the economic difficulties faced by the industry due to COVID-19.

President Lee Seong-hee requested, "Due to typhoons and heavy rains that occurred consecutively during last year's harvest season, farmers suffered severe damage, and policies to stimulate agricultural product consumption are necessary." Related organizations attending the meeting also expressed their agreement and requested a review of the amendment to the enforcement decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

Chairperson Jeon responded, "I deeply empathize with the economic difficulties faced by our farmers and fishermen due to the continued spread of COVID-19, the decrease in dining out and meal services caused by raised quarantine levels, and the expected reduction in Lunar New Year travel leading to reduced consumption," but added, "The amendment of the enforcement decree must consider various aspects, including the public's standards for integrity and negative public opinion that views raising the limit as weakening the commitment to a clean society."

She indicated that because it is necessary to form a national consensus, any increase in the limit will be carefully reviewed.

According to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, gifts exchanged among ordinary citizens such as parents, siblings, and friends, as well as gifts given by public officials to ordinary citizens, can be freely exchanged regardless of the amount. This is because the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act prohibits giving money or valuables to public officials related to their duties.

To clarify misunderstandings about gift-giving during the Lunar New Year holiday, the Commission has been promoting "Understanding Gifts under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act during Year-End, New Year, and Lunar New Year Holidays" to the public in cooperation with related ministries since December 30 of last year.

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