NPAD should abandon its plan to increase the number of lawmakers

New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) floor leader Lee Jong-geol has made a proposal to increase the number of lawmakers to 390 and cut their pay into half. Unfortunately, the proposal is a typical trick. According to the data that the Dong-A Ilbo obtained from the National Assembly Secretariat, the direct expense for one lawmaker amounts to 700.188 million won (approx. 597,260 U.S. dollars) including the pay (147 million won or 125,391 dollars), labor cost for aid staff, expense for legislative activity, and operating cost of the lawmaker office. The yearly pay for a lawmaker accounts for only 20 percent of the entire expense. Even though the annual pay is cut into half, the result is 70 million won for each. Supposing the all 300 lawmakers are subject to the cut, it saves 21 billion won (17.91 million dollars) per year. On the contrary, if the number is increased by 90, it requires 42 billion won (35.83 million dollars) per year in spite of cutting the annual pay into half.

When the number of lawmakers is increased, it will push up election expenses borne by the national treasury and subsidies for political parties. In the 19th General Election, the election expenses amounted to 239.3 billion won (204.12 million dollars). Last year, the Korean government spent 80 billion won for subsidies to political parties. The increased number of lawmakers would increase the number of standing committees and special committees in the Assembly, of which expenses will be considerable. Financial support for a lawmaker is 150 million won for a year without a nation-wide election and 300 million won for a year with a national election. Financial supports from the public would increase too, according to the increased number of lawmakers. Based on the past practices of lawmakers, the annual pay that is cut into half would be restored finally under a variety of excuses.

On the NPAD’s proposal to increase the number of lawmakers, the ruling Saenuri Party balks at it considering political variables. But the proposal would be tempting to individual lawmakers. Especially, lawmakers of constituencies in rural areas to be abolished will be pleased with the proposal since the population deviation per constituency will be decreased from the current 3 to 1 to the 2 to 1. However, it is to get the cart before the horse if increasing the number of seats in the Assembly as a trick to secure parliamentary seats for them.

The current constitution stipulates that the number of lawmakers shall be over 200. This holds a meaning that the number should be over 200 but not exceed 299. If increasing the number of lawmakers to exceed 300, it can spark a controversy over a possible violation of the constituency. In the 19th National Assembly, the number of lawmakers has increased from 299 to 300 due to the Sejong City. But it was possible because the ruling and the opposition pledged that the increased number is limited to the 19th National Assembly. According to the pledge, the number should be decreased to 299 in the 20th National Assembly. Given public sentiment, the number of lawmakers must be cut and their benefits and annual pays need to be reduced.