Lawmaker Donates Chuseok Bonus, Criticizes Political Spending
SEOUL, September 1st - National Assembly member Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party announced today she will donate her approximately 4.25 million won Chuseok holiday bonus to those in need, continuing a practice she began last year. The total holiday bonus allocated to lawmakers this year amounts to 8.49588 million won, split between Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
In a Facebook post, Representative Kim expressed concern over the financial strain the holiday can impose on others, stating, “The long Chuseok holiday is a time of pain for more sad and busy neighbors.” She referenced previous expressions of discomfort with receiving the bonus and a desire to share with the community.
Kim also used the announcement to critique broader political spending, referencing her advocacy for fiscal duty during budget deliberations and disaster relief efforts. “We always shout the people and people… but even though it is becoming a debt bomb that brushes the pockets of the future generation, anger goes beyond despair,” she wrote.
She further criticized practices like publishing commemorative events and including account details on children’s wedding invitations, calling them “shameless.”
“Politics is eventually responsible and cheap,” Kim stated. “the parliament will change and Korean politics will change when you reduce the filling of my pockets and share with the suffering neighbors.”
The holiday bonus for National Assembly members is calculated at 60% of their monthly salary, as stipulated in Article 18-3 of the general public service allowance regulations. With parliamentary member salaries around 157 million won annually, the bonus has increased by approximately 10% over the last decade. Kim affirmed that donating the full amount would not impact her personal finances.
