– ACRC held a field meeting with stakeholders from agriculture, livestock, and fisheries industries on Sept. 23 to review the impact of the increased cap on the value of agricultural, livestock, and fishery product gifts under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and to hear about challenges encountered by the industry.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) held a field meeting on Sept. 23 at the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Yangjae, Seoul, with representatives from the agricultural, livestock, and fishery sectors, including the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup), and related organizations.

The meeting was organized to assess whether the increase* in the upper limit on the gift value for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and their processed goods under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (hereinafter referred to as the Graft Act), implemented two years ago, has had a tangible impact at the industry level. It also served as an opportunity to listen to the difficulties faced by the sector and explore ways to operate the Graft Act more reasonably in the future.

* In August 2023, the ACRC revised the Enforcement Decree of the Graft Act to support the agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries suffering from natural disasters, inflation, and sluggish consumption. The cap on the gift value for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and their processed goods was increased from 100,000 won (200,000 won during Lunar New Year and Chuseok) to 150,000 won (300,000 won during Lunar New Year and Chuseok).

In addition, to boost consumption of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and support socially vulnerable groups, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan purchased rice, fish, and fruit at the Yangjae Hanaro Mart using funds voluntarily donated by ACRC employees. These goods will be delivered to young people preparing for self-reliance through the “WOO-IN” Residential Support Center for Youth preparing for independent living after leaving orphanages or group homes and for adaptation to life on their own at the age of 18.

ACRC Chairperson Ryu said, “It is encouraging that, amid the growing international interest in Korean culture, K-agriculture, livestock, and fishery products have become key export items,” adding that “We will carefully review the opinions raised during this field meeting and work to find ways to address the difficulties faced by the agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries, while upholding the purpose of the Graft Act to secure public trust in a clean public sector.” He also emphasized that, “The ACRC will continue to listen closely to voices from the field and take the lead in revitalizing livelihoods and cultivating a culture of integrity in the public sector.”