Congress members, annual salary increase of
1.7%, amounting to approximately 118,000 dollars
One-third candidates for the 22nd general election are criminals
There is a profession where “one in six” or “41% in total,” “one in three” are criminals. Despite being criminals, they receive high salaries, and their salary increase was spotted despite public criticism.
They are congress members.
According to the “2024 National Assembly Members’ Allowance Payment Standards” recently announced by the National Assembly Secretariat, the members will receive salaries applied with the government employee’s salary increase rate this year.
This year’s congress member’s salary has been set at around $118,000 dollars, a 1.7% increase from last year. It has increased by about $ 2,500 dollars compared to last year (approximately $ 115,500 dollars).
As the 22nd general election is coming up in April and the electoral districts and voting systems have not been finalized, there is criticism in some quarters as the salaries of congress members increase.
Some pointed out that the salary of congress members is excessive, mentioning their criminal histories.
Recently, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon pointed out in a broadcast that “44% of the current Democratic Party congress members are criminals” (later corrected to 41%).
Moreover, last year, a civic group announced a shocking survey result that one in six of the 21st Congress members are criminals (excluding those with a criminal record related to democratization and labor movements).
One in three of the preliminary candidates preparing to run for the general election turned out to be a criminal. They have criminal records of embezzlement, fraud, abuse of power, insult, assault, drunk driving, etc., which are worth societal criticism.
Moreover, even if a current congress member is detained due to legal problems, allowances and holiday bonuses excluding special activity expenses are being paid.
In response, netizens said, such as, “This is ridiculous,” “Let’s reduce the number of congress members to 100. They don’t do their job properly anyway,” “If you work for the country, don’t take money,” “The salaries of congress members should be linked to the minimum wage,” and “There is no such waste of taxes.”
Meanwhile, congress members have immunity from arrest, which means they will not be detained even if they commit outrageous crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, and bribery, and also from liability, which means there is no problem even if they deliberately slander without facts.
Most Commented