The country's civil rights panel on Monday announced the enforcement ordinances of a controversial anti-corruption bill that won parliamentary approval last year.

The so-called Kim Young-ran law, named after its proposer, subjects public officials, journalists and private school faculty to a maximum penalty of three years in prison or five times the amount accepted in money or valuables if they are worth more than 1 million won (US$900) from one person in one installment, regardless of whether it was in exchange for favors.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission made a pre-announcement of legislation stipulating that public officials, journalists and private school faculty who are treated to meals costing more than 30,000 won can be fined. It is the same as what is stipulated in the current code of conduct for public officials.

The proposed ordinances also set the ceiling for gifts to 50,000 won, and money for congratulations and condolences to 100,000 won.

The civil rights panel also set the lecture fees for ministers at 400,000 won per hour. Journalists and private school faculty can receive up to 1 million won per hour.

The proposals were made about 14 months after the controversial anti-corruption bill passed the National Assembly in March 2015.

The bill was drawn up to tighten loopholes in existing anti-corruption rules under which public officials cannot be punished for accepting expensive gifts and services unless there is evidence of reciprocity.

The Constitutional Court is reviewing the details of the law after the Korean Bar Association filed a petition arguing that it has elements that are not fair and even unconstitutional.

The association said the law's inclusion of journalists among those subject to it can infringe on freedom of the press and people's rights for equality. Also, the law's articles requiring people to report their spouses' acceptance of a bribe or expensive gift to authorities or face criminal punishment go against principles of freedom of conscience and self-responsibility in the Constitution.

The court is reviewing the law with the aim to deliver a ruling before it goes into effect in late September. (Yonhap)