Anti-Corruption Commission Intensively Inspects Public Officials' Receipt of Gifts During Seollal Holiday

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on the 1st that it will conduct a focused inspection on violations of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, such as receiving money, gifts, and entertainment, before and after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Jeong Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Code of Conduct for Public Officials strictly prohibits receiving money, gifts, or entertainment from persons related to their duties. However, as an exception, agricultural and marine products, processed agricultural and marine products, and related gift certificates that can be received for smooth job performance, social, or ceremonial purposes are allowed up to 300,000 KRW until the 15th of this month.

The Commission will investigate ▲ public officials receiving money, entertainment, or gifts from persons related to their duties ▲ acts of improper solicitation or intervention in interests mediated by such exchanges ▲ purchasing gifts using budgets for purposes other than intended ▲ false business trips or using public institution goods for personal use. Professional investigators will be dispatched nationwide by region to conduct covert inspections, and public officials found violating the rules will be reported to their affiliated institution heads for strict disciplinary action.

Jung Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Commission, said, “For a clean public service culture to be successfully established, above all, public interest and support are necessary,” and added, “We ask the public to actively report violations of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials during this inspection period.”

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