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Former lawmakers employed as privileged civil servants

Posted June. 25, 2016 07:21,   

Updated June. 25, 2016 07:29

한국어

Former lawmakers Shin Jeong-hoon and Kim Seong-joo of the main opposition Minjoo Party, who failed to win re-election in the April 23 elections for the 20th General Assembly, have been appointed to privileged civil servant positions, it was reported on Friday. Those civil servant positions at the National Assembly are customarily appointed by respective parties at their own discretion, but it is unusual that former assemblymen are named to the posts.

Earlier on June 9, Minjoo floor leader Woo Sang-ho appointed the two former first-term lawmakers of the 19th General Assembly as his "special advisors for the Jeolla region." The problem is that since they are registered as policy researchers for a parliamentary negotiating block under the National Assembly Act, they are set to be paid with taxpayers’ money. Shin and Kim will be paid at least 87.36 million won (74,400 U.S. dollars, annual salary for Grade 1 civil servant) per year, and 74.65 million won (63,600 dollars, annual salary for Grade 2 civil servant), respectively.

People in and outside the party has criticized the appointments, saying, “They are not tasked with work for the National Assembly itself, and they might be engaged in their own political activities.” Under the National Assembly regulations, policy researchers are obliged to assist legislative activities of lawmakers affiliated with the concerned party.

Woo said, “There is no problem because they are working to set policy on the Jeolla region including attendance at meetings, while assisting the floor leader,” while a source at the National Assembly Secretariat also said, “There are no problems with the appointments because the two people meet qualifications.”



차길호기자 kilo@donga.com