Public Servants Face Severe Punishment for Smallest Bribe

If a public servant asks for bribes in return for services, he will suffer severe punishment, possibly imprisonment, regardless of the amount of the bribe.
The Supreme Court has published a book, entitled 'Practical Case Assessment', which sets standards for judges by assessing 14 major crimes including murder, robbery, and bribery, and detailing the punitive action taken. The book has been distributed to courts across the nation.
The book is expected to tackle effectively the disparity in sentences given for similar crimes by courts.
An official at the Supreme Court said that the book will greatly promote reasonable and standardized sentences being given because it deals systematically with the process of deciding the penalty.
According to the book, public servants should be given severe punishment including possible jail sentences in the event that they actively seek bribes.
The same will apply to policemen and tax collectors if they accept kickbacks.
If a defendant is proven to have accepted more than 30 million won, a jail sentence can be imposed even if the defendant did not commit illegal acts in return for the money.
Seo Jang-soo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr