"Please Give a Penny," "Tired of Gimbap" Appeals for Lawmaker Donations, What Do You Think?

Lawmakers Say "Give Me a Penny," "Clean Politics Requires Your Help"
"I'm Starving," "Tired of Gimbap" Criticism Over Lack of Support for the Poor
Responding to Criticism, "Tell Us How to Recruit Privately"
Experts Say "Good Legislative Work Makes Such Publicity Unnecessary"

A photo posted by Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on his Facebook on the 27th, announcing a public fundraiser. On the right side, there is a calendar featuring President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook smiling. Photo by Jeong Cheong-rae

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] Some ruling party lawmakers have publicly solicited political donations, drawing criticism. Lawmakers receive significantly higher salaries on average than ordinary citizens, so openly soliciting donations inevitably causes feelings of relative deprivation.

Moreover, the manner in which they appealed for donations has come under scrutiny. Expressions such as "Please give even a penny," "We are starving," and "I'm tired of kimbap every day" have been criticized for disregarding the circumstances of genuinely impoverished families or people in hardship.

Experts pointed out that it was inappropriate for lawmakers, who belong to the social elite, to request donations in such a manner and that they should reflect on their legislative activities.

Earlier, Democratic Party lawmakers Jeong Cheong-rae and Kim Yong-min posted requests for donations on Facebook and online communities.

On the 27th, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "I earnestly asked for donations, but only 161 people participated, and there has been no news since," adding, "I am so ashamed that I cannot hold my head high. I am even embarrassed to meet the President." He continued, "My bank account is empty, so my heart feels lonely. I will work harder from now on... Please give even a penny."

Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kim Yong-min (left) and Kim Nam-guk (right). Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, Kim also appealed on an internet bulletin board mentioning prosecutorial reform and political reform, saying, "We lack operating funds, so my office staff and I are starving. I'm tired of kimbap every day. I know it's shameless, but please generously donate."

Some supporters responded with encouragement, saying, "I sent donations. Stay strong," but others criticized the expressions as inappropriate for lawmakers.

As criticism spread, Jeong responded on Facebook on the 28th, "Controversy over public fundraising for donations... then should it be done privately?" He added, "Other lawmakers also send texts, KakaoTalk messages, and do it publicly. If there is a way to raise funds privately in back alleys without public solicitation, please teach me."

Jeong also shared screenshots of media reports criticizing him, stating, "Thanks to special interest and cooperation, since posting the donation account yesterday, 584 people have sent 27.42 million won. I will devote myself to media reform, so please give even a penny."

On the same day, fellow party member Kim Nam-guk wrote on Facebook, "It is really not easy for politicians to raise political donations," adding, "I hope people understand this as an effort to appeal to the public more warmly and honestly." He also said, "Citizens need to help little by little for politicians to practice clean politics."

However, despite these explanations, public sentiment toward lawmakers' appeals remains unfavorable. While politicians can solicit donations, their manner of expression is problematic.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "I think it's possible for supporters to donate," but criticized, "Is it right for lawmakers working for the people to shamelessly use expressions like 'I'm embarrassed to meet the President' or 'Please give even a penny' as if begging? It sounds as if the people should support the President. It implies the President is above the people."

Another office worker Seo (35) said, "People struggle to get by day by day, but when lawmakers say they are starving due to lack of donations or talk about how much has been collected, it's absurd," adding, "For some citizens, even one kimbap roll is a precious meal. If they truly work for the people, they wouldn't say such things recklessly. If they are struggling because they are worried about the President's opinion, they should quit being lawmakers and become presidential secretaries."

Expressions like "Please give even a penny" and "We are starving" have also been criticized for lacking consideration for the poor or those who might genuinely go hungry.

A company employee in his 40s, Kim, said, "(The lawmakers' tone in soliciting donations) is obviously a kind of metaphor or a way of saying 'we are struggling,' but from the perspective of truly impoverished people, it sounds like 'the rich complaining.'" He added, "They should take a humbler stance and focus on legislative activities for the poor, but instead, they use expressions like 'Please give even a penny' and 'We are starving.' They completely disregard the poor. It's just frustrating."

Experts pointed out that it was inappropriate for lawmakers, who belong to the social elite, to request donations from the public in this way and that they should reflect on their own legislative activities.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "If lawmakers work hard and receive positive evaluations from the public, donations would come in without such publicity," adding, "Since that is not happening, they resorted to a kind of begging, but lawmakers need to reflect on whether they are doing their legislative work well."

He continued, "The manner of soliciting donations is also problematic," saying, "People see lawmakers as the top of society, the elite, receiving considerable salaries. So was it appropriate for them to appeal as if they were the underdog or victims? From the public's perspective, this can only be seen negatively. As representatives of the people and voters, they need to consider their dignity accordingly."

The commentator criticized, "Lawmakers are leading the defense of the President without recognizing why donations are not coming in," adding, "They think they are majestic as if they are the regime's guardians, but the public perceives this attitude as inappropriate. Because of this, the public is turning away, but they do not understand the essence of the problem."

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