In South Korea, parents can no longer buy even a cup of coffee for their child's teacher. That's under a new anti-corruption law that took effect in late September. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act is popularly known as the Kim Yong-ran law, named after the former Supreme Court justice who proposed it.

It strictly controls the wining and dining of civil servants and other public officials, limiting the value of meals and gifts that can be accepted. About 4 million people are estimated to be directly covered by the law, including civil servants, employees at state-owned enterprises, teachers and journalists.