Retailers, restaurants struggling to adjust to anti-graft law
An array of Chuseok gift sets hit the shelves Tuesday — most priced at less than 50,000 won— at the Hanaro Mart in Yangjae-dong, southern Seoul. / YonhapBy Kim Ji-sooAs Chuseok — one of the biggest Korean holidays — falls on Sept. 15, Koreans are surveying gifts that they may have to buy for acquaintances and colleagues.This year, however, one factor looms large in their shopping decisions: the so-called Kim Young-ran anti-graft law that takes effect on Sept 28. Under the law, among other things, public officials, private school teachers, journalists may be punished with fines for being given a meal that costs more than 30,000 won ($26), a gift priced at more than 50,000 won or congratulatory or condolence contributions more than 100,000 won.The new law is expected to affect some 4 million people in the nation.The law, which is either embraced by some or fiercely opposed by others — opponents sent it to the Constitutional Court, which in July ruled it constitutional — may cause a significant shift not only in how Koreans interact but al
Aug 19, 2016