Out of 250 million won of total reward money (on 351 reports), nearly half of the money, 124 million won, was given out to only 11 paparazzi. (image: The Eggplant/flickr)
SEOUL, Korea, April 18, 2014 (Korea Bizwire) – Criticism is mounting over the compensation system for reports on the violation of public laws is turning into certain ‘paparazzi’s (devoted reward hunters) exploitation.
The National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting and Communications Committee announced that out of 250 million won of total reward money (on 351 reports), nearly half of the money, 124 million won, was given out to only 11 paparazzi.
Among these reward hunters, the one who received most compensation took home a total of 41 million won, and the one who reported the most notified the police for 51 times. A reporter is usually compensated with 20 percent of the fines imposed on law breakers.
The reports were violation of the following laws: sale of raw chicken without packaging in traditional markets (Livestock Products Sanitation Act), prescription of drugs by an unlicensed pharmacist (Pharmaceutical Affairs Act), illegal practice of eyebrow tattoos in beauty salons (Medical Services Act), uncovered dump trucks in construction sites (Clean Air Conservation Act), violation of duty to specify non-smoking sections in buildings (National Health Promotion Act), illegal expansion of restaurant spaces (Food Sanitation Act) and many more.
Written by J. H. Kim (jhkim@koreabizwire.com)
