청 "Conditions for Paying Lawmakers' Salaries Do Not Include Whether the National Assembly Is in Session"

Cheongwadae Responds to National Assembly Petition on Returning Lawmakers' Salaries: "Each Party Decides to Return Salaries to Overcome National Crisis"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House has drawn a line regarding the public petition demanding the return of lawmakers' salaries, stating that the condition for salary payment does not include whether the National Assembly is convened.

On the 8th, Kang Jeong-su, head of the Blue House Digital Communication Center, said, "The petitioner argued that lawmakers should also participate during the time when medical staff, kind landlords, office workers, and young students are striving to overcome the COVID-19 crisis" and "especially mentioned that the National Assembly was not convened for several months last year and demanded voluntary salary cuts or returns by lawmakers. The petition received the agreement of 439,648 citizens over one month from March 12."

The Blue House asked for understanding, stating that since the National Assembly is a constitutional institution, it is difficult for the Blue House to comment on whether lawmakers should return or cut their salaries.

Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

However, Director Kang explained, "Currently, the conditions for paying lawmakers' salaries do not include whether the National Assembly is convened or the number of meetings attended. Reflecting the public's recent demand for a ‘working National Assembly,’ a partial amendment bill to the Act on Lawmakers' Allowances, etc., which reduces allowances and legislative activity expenses if lawmakers do not attend National Assembly meetings, has been proposed and referred to the National Assembly Steering Committee."

Director Kang added, "To join in overcoming the national crisis, each political party announced donations or returns of lawmakers' salaries. On March 19, the Democratic Party announced that it would donate 50% of lawmakers' salaries for three months."

Director Kang said, "The Justice Party also decided to return 30% of lawmakers' salaries until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the United Future Party announced that it contributed about 1 million won, approximately 15% of their salaries, to fundraising efforts. In addition to party promises, individual lawmakers have also voluntarily declared donations and salary returns."

Meanwhile, on March 21, public officials at the ministerial level and above, including the president, also decided to return 30% of their salaries for four months. Director Kang stated, "The returned salaries will be used as resources to support those suffering from COVID-19," and pledged, "The government will do everything possible together with the National Assembly to overcome the national crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.