The national government introduced a tough new anti-graft law to root out rampant corruption about a month ago. For a look at how it is affected local life and commerce, we turn to Mike Laidman.


Report


It may be after work at dinner time, but this restaurant has only a few guests.


[SLUG]
Restaurants take sales hit after anti-graft law


Lavish wining and dining, alongside expensive gifts, have long been par for the course for most business deals in the country.

But restaurants have been welcoming fewer guests ever since a new anti-graft law, which affects civil servants, school teachers, and journalists, came into effect about a month ago.

The new legislation has sparked an outcry among farmers, retailers, and restaurant owners.


INTERVIEW
Sushi restaurant owner
I don't understand the new anti-graft law clearly, but people say that civil servants and teachers can't have meals at expensive restaurants.
<인터뷰 : ○○횟집 운영>
"김영란법이라고 해서 무슨 말인가 했더니 막상 시행되니까 아예 한 달은 안 나온데요.
다 막아버리니까 공무원, 선생님들도 겁나서..."

The law caps the value of meals to which these groups can be treated to 30,000 won.

The law hit florists, too, with demand for flowers dropping.


[SLUG]
Flower demand falls off


Gifts are limited to a value of 50,000 won, with violators facing jail time and huge fines.


Orchids were common as congratulatory gifts, but now demand has dropped away.

Sales have plummeted over 50 percent since the anti-graft law was introduced.


INTERVIEW
Florist
The anti-graft law is hurting my business. I'm afraid this slump will continue too long. People are reluctant to give gifts no matter their cost.
<인터뷰 : ○○꽃집 운영>
"안 된다, 안 된다 해도 이 정도로 힘들 줄 몰랐는데 많이 힘드니까 이게 얼마나 갈지 그게 걱정이에요. 3만 원, 5만 원 단가가 중요한 것이 아니라 // 선물을 자체를 안 하니까..."


[SLUG]
Big changes at government offices


The changes are also noticeable at government offices.

Many civil servants feel uneasy about making meal appointments with business people.

They are reluctant to meet outside of their offices so as not to elicit any suspicion.


Recording
Civil servant at Jeju City Hall
Before the anti-graft law, we often went out for lunch with our guests, but now, nobody suggests meals. We’re seeing a big change.
<씽크 : 제주시청 공무원>
"예전에는 민원인들과 점심도 가끔 먹었는데 지금은 점심을 먹자고 하는 사람도 없고 먹으러 가는 공무원도 없고 분위기가 많이 바뀐 것 같아요."

People refrain from sending gifts to government officials to congratulate them on their promotions or weddings.


Recording
Construction industry representative
I no longer send flowers to officials for promotions or weddings. It saves money.
<씽크 : 건설업체 관계자>
"친목, 상조비 쪽으로 예전에 승진하거나 결혼할 때 화환을 보냈는데 이제는 안 하기로 해서 그 비용은 줄어들었죠."

The nation introduced the new anti-graft law to root out corruption.


[REPORTER] Mike Laidman
[CAMERA] Park Byeong-joon


And now, even though some retailers and farmers are being negatively impacted by the law and domestic consumption has decreased, the hope is that corruption will start to diminish.


Mike Laidman, KCTV