KCCI and Others Request "Increase Gift Value for Agricultural and Marine Products," while Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice Argues "Undermines Legal Intent"

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission, "Will Carefully Review Opinions"

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. (Photo by Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other economic and professional organizations, along with civic groups such as the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, engaged in a heated debate over a proposal to raise the gift value limit for agricultural, fishery, and marine products under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act from 100,000 won to 200,000 won during the Lunar New Year holiday.

On the morning of the 13th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) held the '2021 1st Public-Private Integrity Society Council' at the Korea Press Center to discuss the request from various sectors of society to temporarily raise the gift value limit for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products under the Lunar New Year holiday enforcement decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

The council is a public-private consultative body jointly participated in by representatives from the ACRC, civil society, economic sectors, professional groups, media, and academia, selecting major anti-corruption tasks and suggesting directions for development.

The council includes representatives from a total of 32 institutions and organizations, including the ACRC, 9 civil society organizations (such as the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice), 6 economic organizations (including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), 5 professional organizations (such as the Korean Bar Association), and 7 media and academic organizations (including the Korea Broadcasting Association).

At the meeting, economic and professional representative organizations such as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business requested raising the gift value limit for agricultural and fishery products to support the agricultural and fishery sectors suffering economic difficulties due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Civic groups opposed temporarily raising the gift value limit for agricultural and fishery products under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act during the Lunar New Year holiday, arguing that it could undermine the legislative intent of the law.

According to the ACRC, while there was consensus on the economic difficulties faced by the agriculture and fisheries sectors and the need for countermeasures, many pointed out that rather than raising the gift value limit under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, the distribution structure should be improved in the medium to long term.

On the other hand, many opinions were also presented that if it could help the agricultural and fishery sectors suffering economic difficulties due to the prolonged and nationwide spread of COVID-19, it should be actively considered.

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the ACRC, said, "The ACRC will carefully consider and refer to the opinions raised at the meeting in its work."

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Shin Cheol-young, co-representative of the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, was elected as the new civilian chairperson. Representative Shin will serve as co-chair of the council alongside Chairperson Jeon.

The council selected 'prevention of conflicts of interest' as this year's anti-corruption theme. It urged the prompt enactment of the 'Public Officials Conflict of Interest Prevention Act' and requested the ACRC, as the comprehensive anti-corruption and integrity agency, to carry out its work unwaveringly.

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