Fairer Society

[Anchor Lead]

With the new anti-corruption law in place, lawmakers hope to usher in a society marked by integrity, with fairer and more transparent personal and work relationships. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

Restaurants are introducing dishes priced under 30 dollars, the limit for a meal set by the country's latest anti-corruption law, and more and more people are paying for their own meals even at job-related dinners.

[Soundbite] PR Team Manager at Major Conglomerate(Voice modified) : "I'm inclined to meet only those who are willing to pay their own way."

Job-related meetings are expected to become more transparent. An aide to a National Assembly representative receives hundreds of petitions a day on his mobile phone. Thanks to the new anti-corruption law, he now has a valid excuse to refuse all those difficult complaints.

[Soundbite] Aide to Nat'l Assembly Rep.(Voice modified) : "I tell people that we have no choice, because it's very likely to violate the anti-corruption law."

In the Corruption Perceptions Index last year, Korea ranked 27th, the lowest among OECD member nations. A change was needed.

[Soundbite] Prof. Kim Kwi-ok(Dept. of Sociology, Hansung Univ.) : "The new anti-corruption law is likely to ensure procedural transparency, thereby boosting the nation's credibility."

The realization of fair competition and equal relationships are now up to all Korean citizens.