[THE INVESTOR South Korean corporates appear to be spearheading change in the local hospitality culture now that a controversial anti-corruption law has taken effect.

Companies are bent on providing workers, especially those in charge of dealing with the government, the National Assembly and the press, with detailed legal information on the so-called Kim Young-ran Act.

The legislation affects millions of South Korean civil servants, journalists and school teachers. According to the law, they cannot receive free meals valued more than 30,000 won (US$27) and gifts are capped at 50,000 won. Violators face jail or fines.

In addition to internal education, companies are taking systemic measures to spread the use of “clean cards,” which government agencies introduced several years ago.

Unlike ordinary corporate credit cards, clean cards are automatically blocked at establishments that provide excessive entertainment services such as golf courses and room salons.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)