Kim Young-Ran Law

[Anchor Lead]

We begin today’s show with the Kim Young-ran anti-graft law, which goes into effect on Wednesday. The law is likely to have an influence on the daily lives of virtually everyone in Korea. Here’s a look at some of the ways people meet and interact will have to change.

[Pkg]

This employee at a large firm has meetings with public officials and journalists every day. Now when the meetings take place during lunch or dinner time, all parties need to pay separate bills, but the whole situation is somewhat uncomfortable.

[Soundbite] Public Relations Employee at Big Firm(Voice modified) : "It does bother me and I will pay more attention as any violation can hurt an individual or my company."

Civil servants or public officials who are the main targets of the new antigraft law are avoiding contacts with civil petitioners entirely.

[Soundbite] Government Agency Official(Voice modified) : "I'll make sure not to end up becoming a precedent myself. I've delayed appointments as much as possible to see how the application unfolds. I'll be careful at all cost."

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission receives over a thousand phone calls each day regarding questions about ambiguous legal provisions.

[Soundbite] Ha Ee-na(Seoul Resident) : "Some relationships are personal and not determined by social status or roles. So I'm confused about how to accept the law."

People who will go out of their way to monitor violators of the new law with their eyes on the prize money further add to the pressure felt by those which the law mainly targets.

[Soundbite] Student Learning How to Spot Violators(Voice modified) : "Wouldn't some 90% of students come for the prize money? If reports are properly filed, receiving a handsome reward is very appealing. It's even called jackpot lottery."

People have begun to exercise extra prudence as interpersonal relationships are expected to freeze up at least for the time being.