A survey shows almost three out of four local firms positively assess the impact of the Kim Young-ran law, which took effect last year.
 
But smaller businesses, although supporting the objective of the antigraft law, reported side effects such as decreased sales.
 
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently surveyed 300 domestic companies and released the results Tuesday regarding how they viewed the law during its first year of implementation.
 
Over 74 percent of firms said the business environment has improved since the law took effect, while just under 24 percent said it's become more difficult to do business.
 
As for positive changes, the top two responses were improved fairness of public officials and better corporate culture, such as simpler dinner meetings with coworkers. Other answers included reduced gift expenses and more efficiency at work.
 
Difficulties included increased internal workload for audit and authorization purposes, a more passive attitude of public officials and a stiffer corporate atmosphere due to fewer coworker gatherings. 
 
The Kim Young-ran law was named after a former Supreme Court justice who proposed the bill.