South Korea seeks public input on decade-old anti-graft law
· UPIJune 15 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's anti-corruption agency launched a nationwide survey Monday to evaluate the country's Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and identify areas for reform as the law approaches its 10th anniversary.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said the survey will be available through June 29 on the government's online public participation platform, People's Idea Box.
The law, commonly referred to in South Korea as the anti-graft law, took effect Sept. 28, 2016. It prohibits improper requests to public officials and limits the money, gifts and entertainment they may accept.
Over the past decade, the commission has issued official interpretations of the law, inspected how public institutions enforce it and provided training to employees responsible for compliance.
The agency has also conducted public awareness campaigns during major gift-giving periods, including the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.
Reports of suspected violations fell sharply from 4,386 in 2018 to 1,357 in 2024, leading the commission to conclude that the law has become firmly established in South Korean society.
The government has revised the law and its enforcement rules several times in response to concerns that some limits were no longer realistic. Those changes included raising the allowable value of meals and gifts containing agricultural, livestock and fishery products.
The new survey will ask respondents about the law's overall effectiveness, its impact on different areas of public service, priorities for future reform and whether the commission's current interpretations of the law are appropriate.
The agency will randomly select 50 participants to receive mobile gift certificates worth 20,000 won, or about $13.
Survey results will be released at a public forum and talk concert marking the law's 10th anniversary in September.
The events will bring public officials and citizens together to review the law's accomplishments, discuss unresolved issues and consider its future direction, the commission said.
"The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act is a representative anti-corruption law that has helped guarantee the fair performance of public duties and increase transparency in our society over the past 10 years," said Lee Myung-soon, vice chairperson of the commission.
"We will make every effort to reflect public views on the law's achievements and potential improvements in government policy and continue to ensure its effective implementation," Lee said.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260615010004813