Conglomerates lower donations after anti - corruption law implemented SEOUL , Jan . 22 ( Yonhap ) -- Most of the country ' s top 10 conglomerates cut back on their donations and entertainment expenses last year after a new anti - corruption law went into effect , corporate tracking data showed Monday . The data provided by Chaebul . com , which monitors activities of business groups , said the conglomerates made donations of 493 billion won ( US $ 461 million ) in the first three quarters of 2017 , down 24 . 9 percent from 656 . 7 billion won in the same period of the previous year . Entertainment spending , referring to expenses used to buy meals and drinks , as well as other special treatments , for people of business interests , were also down , dropping 17 . 9 percent to 32 . 7 billion won last year from 39 . 9 billion won in 2016 , according to the data . The measured periods were divided by the date Sept . 28 , 2016 , when the new anti - corruption law took effect . The law restricts the amount of allowed cash gifts for weddings and mourning families by public and corporate officials to eliminate bribes . It also caps the price of meals and drinks that they can provide for free . Donations by the top conglomerate Samsung Group fell 46 percent to 187 . 8 billion won during the period . The group ' s entertainment expenses shrank 33 percent . NongHyup , an agricultural cooperative , cut back its contributions by 57 . 3 percent while adding 6 . 4 percent in entertainment spending . LG Group increased its donations by 27 . 1 percent but curtailed its entertainment spending by 75 . 2 percent . Hyundai Motor maintained the same level of donations but lowered its entertainment expenses by 13 . 5 percent . Data of Lotte showed a 12 . 6 percent increase in donations but a 50 . 2 percent fall in entertainment costs . ( END )