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The allowable limit for free meal expenses for public officials, journalists and private school teachers under Korea's anti-graft law will increase to 50,000 won ($36) from 30,000 won, the country's anti-corruption commission said Tuesday.

It is the first time in eight years that the meal expense limit was raised, since the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act was enacted in 2016.

The anti-graft law, aiming to prevent public officials, journalists and private school staff from receiving money or goods for improper solicitation, allows exceptions for meals provided for official duties, social or ceremonial purposes, as long as the cost does not exceed 30,000 won.

However, small business owners in the country have long argued that this limit is too restrictive and unrealistic for the current economic environment, imposing excessive constraints on local businesses.

After considering these concerns, Chung Seung-yun, vice chairperson and secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), announced on Tuesday that the government has decided to amend the law to adjust the limit, recognizing the necessity of this change.

"The 30,000 won limit on meal expenses, set initially back in 2003 when the Public Officials Code of Conduct was first established, has remained unchanged for over 20 years, even after the anti-graft law's implementation in 2016," Chung said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

"Given the high inflation and economic difficulties faced by Korea's agricultural, livestock, fisheries and dining industries, there have been continuous calls to raise the limits for allowable meals and gifts stipulated under the law to more realistic levels," he emphasized.

Chung Seung-yun, vice chairperson and secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), speaks during a press briefing held at the Government Complex in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Chung explained that with the commission's plenary committee approving the amendment on Monday, the ACRC plans to swiftly proceed with the legislative process for its prompt implementation by closely cooperating with related ministries.

The new amendment is expected to be implemented as early as next month, before the Chuseok holiday in mid-September, after passing through a Cabinet meeting.

In addition to meals, the current Improper Solicitation and Graft Act permits public officials, journalists and private school staff to receive gifts of agricultural, livestock and fishery products or processed goods up to 150,000 won for purposes such as facilitating official duties or ceremonial reasons.

While the law currently permits the gift limit to be temporarily doubled during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, the anti-corruption commission proposed raising the limit to 300,000 won year-round during the plenary committee meeting on the same day.

However, this proposal was not approved, with the commission noting that "further discussions will continue" on the matter.

"If the gift limit for agricultural, livestock and fishery products were raised to 300,000 won, it would result in a limit of 600,000 won during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. Thus, the agency has decided to continue discussions on adjusting the gift limit range, taking into account the legislative situation in the National Assembly," the vice chair of the ACRC said.

Although adjustments to the enforcement decree of the anti-graft law can be made at the discretion of the executive branch alone, the ACRC said it has continued to engage in social discussions, considering the social benefits of the law and public perceptions.