The Limit for Meal Expenses under the Improper Solicitation Act Raised to 50,000 Won Starting from the 27th

Approval of the Amendment to the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act on the 19th
Holiday Agricultural and Marine Product Gifts Up to 300,000 Won

The government has raised the allowable value limit for food (meal expenses) under the "Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft" (Improper Solicitation and Graft Act) from the previous 30,000 won to 50,000 won.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the morning of the 19th that it held a Cabinet meeting and approved the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, focusing on raising the meal expense limit.

[Image source=Asia Economy DB]

The amendment is scheduled to be implemented from the 27th after presidential approval.

The so-called "Kim Young-ran Act," known as the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, generally prohibits public officials, journalists, and private school faculty members from receiving money or valuables, but allows exceptions for food valued at 30,000 won or less when related to official duties or ceremonial purposes.

However, since the 30,000 won food value standard was established in 2003 when the Code of Conduct for Public Officials was enacted and has been maintained for over 20 years, there have been calls to reflect changes in social and economic environments such as inflation.

Meanwhile, the value limit for gifts of agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products that public officials can exchange will be doubled to 300,000 won during the period around Chuseok, from the 24th of this month to the 22nd of next month.

Previously, the ACRC approved an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act last year, raising the gift value limit for agricultural and marine products and processed agricultural and marine products from 100,000 won to 150,000 won. The gift value limit during the holiday period was raised from 200,000 won to 300,000 won.

Yoo Cheol-hwan, Chairman of the ACRC, said, "The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act has contributed to improving unfair practices such as improper solicitation and money or valuables exchange throughout our society, fostering a transparent and clean society." He added, "The ACRC will continue to strive to ensure that the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act functions as an effective anti-corruption norm with enforceability."

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