Watchdog votes to revise controversial anti-graft law

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- A government watchdog voted Monday to amend South Korea's controversial anti-graft regulation in a way that raises the ceiling of the value of gifts that public servants can receive in the case of farm and fisheries products.

The enforcement ordinance of the so-called Kim Young-ran Law, named after its architect and former Supreme Court justice, was revised to double the ceiling to 100,000 won (US$92) from 50,000 won for gifts that are agricultural, livestock and fisheries products or their processed goods.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission approved the revision amid criticism among farmers and fishermen that the regulation seriously affected their revenues. Last month, a similar revision proposal was voted down, sparking further criticism from farmers.

The regulation was also revised to lower the ceiling of cash gifts that public servants, journalists and teachers can receive as congratulatory or condolence money for weddings or funerals of relatives to 50,000 won from the current 100,000 won.

But the revision allowed for the offering of flowers worth up to 100,000 won as condolence or congratulatory gifts, a measure aimed at helping flower growers.

The ceiling of meals that public servants and others can receive was kept at 30,000 won.

The law took effect in September last year as part of efforts to eradicate deep-rooted corruption in South Korean society.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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