Provincial Governors Association Jointly Proposes Raising Gift Value Limits for Chuseok Agricultural and Marine Products

Published 20 Aug.2021 15:42(KST)

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] The Korea Council of Governors (Chairman Song Ha-jin) jointly requested the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on the 20th 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 in celebration of this Chuseok holiday.

This request was made after an emergency consultation among the governors of 17 cities and provinces nationwide to help farmers and fishermen who are suffering from triple hardships including the 4th wave of COVID-19, natural disasters such as cold waves and heatwaves, and labor shortages during the farming season.

In addition, there has been growing demand from farmers' and fishermen's organizations for an increase in the gift value limit.

According to Jeonbuk Province, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, first implemented in September 2016, set the gift value limit at 50,000 won. In January 2018, the enforcement decree was revised to raise the gift value limit for agricultural and marine products to 100,000 won, and during last year's Chuseok and this year's Lunar New Year holidays, the limit was temporarily raised to 200,000 won.

The economic effect of raising the gift value limit is also analyzed to be significant.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, during last year's Chuseok, consumption of fruits increased by 48.6% and processed foods by 32.6% compared to the previous year.

During this Lunar New Year holiday as well, fruit consumption increased by 25.6% and livestock products by 27.2% compared to the previous year, indicating that the increase in the gift value limit greatly contributed to the expansion of agricultural and marine product consumption.

Song Ha-jin, governor of Jeollabuk-do and chairman of the council, said, “It is expected that the decision on whether to raise the gift value limit during the Chuseok holiday will be made next week, so we urgently gathered opinions and reached an agreement among the governors. We hope the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will actively review and reflect this to support 3 million farmers and 6.6 million small business owners, making it a starting point for the recovery of the people's economy.”