It turns out that six out of 10 office workers think that holiday gifts over 100,000 won given to public officials are a form of bribery. (Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Korea Bizwire) - It turns out that six out of 10 office workers think that holiday gifts over 100,000 won given to public officials are a form of bribery.
Tmon (www.tmon.co.kr), an online shopping site, asked 500 office workers between the ages of 20 and 50 if they thought presenting fruit, Hanwoo (Korean beef) or dried yellowtail fish could be considered a form of bribery. At 62.8 percent, a majority of the respondents answered ‘yes’.
Almost 60 percent opposed demands to exclude beef, fish and fruits from a new piece of legislation known as the ‘Kim Young-ran Law’.
The ‘Kim Young-ran Law’ applies to government officials, journalists, and staff and the board of directors at private schools, and legislates that individuals who receive money, gifts or favors over an amount of 100,000 won will be punished by law.
Those opposed to the demands felt that it would be unfair, and since the law targets public officials, it should be enforced.
On the other hand, 16.6 percent were in favor of the demands as the law influences the living rights of those in the agriculture and fisheries industries.
Meanwhile, when asked which gifts were suitable under a 50,000 won limit, 40.6 percent answered that they preferred native foods such as small packages of Hanwoo, apples and pears. Gift sets consisting of daily necessities such as toothpaste, shampoo, ham and cooking oils ranked second (21.8 percent), followed by health supplements (18 percent) and imported meat and fruits (10 percent).
Almost half of those who answered thought the appropriate price range for the gifts they give to their acquaintances was between 20,000 won and 50,000 won.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
