2026 POLITICAL DATA PICK

The Weight of Elected Office
Conservatism and Privilege Report

A Curiosity Every Season

How much do politicians earn?
It's a topic that always sparks curiosity during election season.
Especially when you see all 300 members of the National Assembly clashing with one another,
you can't help but wonder if they're truly earning their keep.

National Assembly Members 300people

• The country's representative institution in charge of legislation and government oversight

Local Assembly Members (Metropolitan/Basic) 3,860people

• Delegates closely engaged with local administrative oversight and grassroots public affairs

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ESTIMATED ANNUAL PAY KRW 161 million

Confirmed annual salary for a National Assembly member in 2026

Breakdown of National Assembly Member's Salary

Allowance (Personal Salary): KRW 94 million

Legislative Activity Allowance: KRW 38 million

Special Activity Allowance: KRW 9 million

Other Allowances: KRW 19 million

• Legislative and special activity allowances are classified as parliamentary expenses, but are included in the total salary (approximately KRW 13 million per month).

Annual Salary Comparison by Position

National Assembly MemberApprox. KRW 160 million

Metropolitan CouncilorKRW 60 million ~ KRW 85 million

Basic CouncilorKRW 40 million ~ KRW 65 million

KRW 10 million/month Net salary received by National Assembly member

2.5% or higher 2026 annual salary increase for National Assembly members

VISUAL ARCHIVE

The Hall of Public Will, Capturing Its Weight

The Weight of the Golden Badge • The symbol of legislative power for 300 members

National Assembly Building • The cradle of national budget deliberations

Local Council in Action • Oversight of grassroots self-government

■Staff · Assigned Personnel

9 people

National Assembly Aides

0.5 person

Local Policy Support Officer

National Assembly members directly hire 9 dedicated aides for close support,
while in local assemblies, one policy support officer is assigned to two councilors for shared support.

■Analysis of Office Operation Budget Beyond Salaries

Human ResourcesAide Payroll

Approx. KRW 500 million ~ KRW 550 million

Covers the salaries of 9 dedicated aides, paid separately from the national budget.

Office MaintenanceOffice Maintenance Expenses

Approx. KRW 30 million ~ KRW 40 million

Subsidizes actual costs such as utilities, postage, landline, and various office supplies.

Official TravelOfficial Business Travel Expenses

Approx. KRW 5 million ~ KRW 40 million

Reimburses official travel and transportation within the scope of parliamentary activities.

Legislation & PolicyLegislation · Policy Development Expenses

Approx. KRW 25 million

Standard for actual costs for parliamentary research, contracts, and academic seminars.

Public RelationsPolicy Material Promotion Expenses

Approx. KRW 5 million ~ KRW 12 million

Subsidizes actual costs for printing and sending parliamentary reports and mobile text messages.

Budget AggregateTotal Annual Office Support

Approx. KRW 600 million ~ KRW 690 million

The total indirect annual support provided to supplement parliamentary activities.

Yonhap News Agency, Getty Images

■Salaries and Authority of Elected Local Officials

Mayor • Provincial Governor

Head of metropolitan administration and manager of large-scale local budgets (minister-level status)

KRW 140 million ~ KRW 150 million

Superintendent of Education

Head of educational autonomy, independently managing local K-12 budgets (not affiliated with political parties)

KRW 130 million ~ KRW 140 million

Mayor • County Head • District Office Head

Heads of basic local governments, responsible for resolving local infrastructure issues

KRW 110 million ~ KRW 120 million

Metropolitan Council Member

Metropolitan representatives, monitor local government administration and propose ordinances

KRW 60 million ~ KRW 70 million

Basic Council Member

Grassroots representatives, handle local complaints and deliberate on county and district settlements

KRW 45 million ~ KRW 55 million

■Privileges of National Assembly and Local Council Members

National Assembly Member

Aide Personnel

• Assigned the highest level: 7~9 dedicated aides

Office Space

• 45-pyeong private office in the Assembly building

Business Travel · Transportation

• Support for KTX, air travel, and official overseas protocol

Concurrent Employment Restrictions

• Strict ban on for-profit activities in principle

Legal Privileges

• Immunity from arrest/prosecution, diplomatic passport

Metropolitan Council Member

Aide Personnel

• Policy support officer (0.5 per councilor)

Office Space

• Official office in the local assembly building

Business Travel · Transportation

• Separate support for policy training in local assemblies

Concurrent Employment Restrictions

• Some concurrent work allowed outside of legally designated fields

Legal Privileges

• No legal immunity

Basic Council Member

Aide Personnel

• General administrative support by the council secretariat

Office Space

• Office standards differ by local government

Business Travel · Transportation

• Actual expenses reimbursed based on ordinance budget

Concurrent Employment Restrictions

• Relatively free to engage in for-profit work

Legal Privileges

• No legal immunity

ㅡ
There are calls for responsibility to match the salaries and privileges of elected officials.
First, it is urgent to ensure transparency of "blind budget" items such as special activity funds without receipts.
It is also imperative to block conflicts of interest and undue gains by local councilors through district projects.
While budgets and personnel support have surged, critics say expertise in administrative oversight remains stagnant.
As power has grown, so too must rigorous scrutiny and a sense of accountability.