Ministry of Employment and Labor Employee Had 20,000-Won Meal With Coupang Executive... Court Rules "Not a Violation of Kim Young-ran Act"

Former Colleagues From Previous Workplace

No Ongoing Coupang Supervision Case at the Regional Office

The court has ruled that it is difficult to consider a meal worth less than 30,000 won provided by a Coupang Logistics Services (CLS) executive to an employee of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, with whom they had a prior acquaintance, as a form of hospitality given in exchange for favors.

According to Yonhap News and the legal community on the 25th, Chief Judge Cho Ji-hwan of the Seoul Central District Court's 79th Civil Division decided on the 22nd not to impose a fine in a trial regarding violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act) involving an employee, Mr. A, from a regional office under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and CLS.

Coupang Headquarters

Mr. A, who was in charge of industrial accident-related work, received a lunch meal valued at 165,000 won together with four colleagues from a CLS executive in February last year. Upon learning of this after the fact, the head of Mr. A’s institution notified the court of a possible violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and requested a fine be imposed. However, the court ruled that this matter did not warrant a fine, and upon objection from the prosecution, a formal trial was held.

The court’s decision remained the same during the formal trial. The panel stated, "At the time of the meal, there were no ongoing guidance or supervision cases involving CLS at Mr. A’s regional office," and added, "The meal was provided for social purposes that did not interfere with the proper performance of duties."

The court also pointed out that the cost per person was 27,500 won, which is less than the 30,000 won limit permitted under the enforcement decree of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

The panel explained, "Since the value of the food and beverages provided was less than 30,000 won per person, it falls within the permitted range for social or ceremonial purposes under the enforcement decree of the Act."

Other factors were also considered: Mr. A and the CLS executive had built a friendship after working together in 2006, the meeting on the day in question happened by chance without prior planning, and the other employees who attended the meal were also acquainted with the CLS executive. The panel also decided not to impose a fine on the CLS corporation.

Meanwhile, Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, mentioned during a Coupang hearing at the National Assembly last year that several Grade 5 and 6 civil servants from six regional labor offices had transferred to Coupang before the presidential election, adding that he instructed Ministry officials to "be aware that contacting these individuals could ruin your career."

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