Korea Proposes Higher Lecture Fees for Public Sector Researchers

Korea Proposes Higher Lecture Fees for Public Sector Researchers

The National Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has announced a legislative pre-announcement for a proposed amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitations and Receipt of Money, etc., widely known as the “Kim Young-ran Act.” This proposed change aims to equalize the maximum honorarium for external lectures received by researchers at government-funded institutions with that of university professors.

Under the current system, researchers at government-funded institutions—including those evaluated under Article 32, Paragraph 3 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology—have a lower cap on external lecture honorariums compared to university faculty. The amendment seeks to raise this cap to 1 million Korean Won (KRW) per hour or per case, matching the existing limit for university professors and other equivalent public officials.

The adjustment addresses concerns that the disparity in honorarium limits, despite similar professional expertise, negatively impacts the morale of researchers and hinders efforts to attract top talent, particularly in the critical science and technology sectors. The “Kim Young-ran Act,” enacted in 2016, is a landmark anti-corruption law in South Korea that prohibits public officials, journalists, and private school faculty from receiving improper solicitations or financial benefits; this amendment seeks to refine its application for specific professional groups.

The legislative pre-announcement period for public feedback runs from April 16 to May 26, 2026. The ACRC invites institutions, organizations, and individuals to submit their opinions on the proposed amendment. Feedback can be submitted online through the National Participation in Legislation Center (http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr) or by sending a written opinion to the ACRC Chairperson.

Submissions must include whether the opinion is for or against the proposal (with reasons for opposition), the submitter’s name (or organization name and representative), address, and phone number, along with any other relevant information. Written opinions can be sent via postal mail to: (30102) 6F, 20, Doum 5-ro, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, Anti-Corruption Policy Division, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Email submissions are accepted at letter2401@korea.kr, and fax submissions can be sent to 044-200-7944. For further inquiries regarding the amendment, interested parties can contact the ACRC’s Anti-Corruption Policy Division directly at 044-200-7704.

Source: 법제처 — Original Article (Korean)