Lay down your privileges, lawmakers

Kim Hyun-ki
The author is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo.

Choe Kang-wook, a former lawmaker of the majority Democratic Party (DP), sneered that former party peer Chung Bong-ju strives hard to return to the legislature because he misses the VIP treatment at airport. Chung ended up losing his hard-won candidacy in a Seoul district over past disparaging remarks toward soldiers lamed by a landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone.

I can now understand why the profession invites all types of thugs — a lawyer who proved to be a better hand in real estate investments than practicing law by owning 3.8 billion won ($2.8 million) in properties through debt worth 3.7 billion won; another lawyer who defended child molesters and boasted about winning the cases; and criminals of multiple counts ranging from drunk driving to embezzlement.

As Choe pointed out, lawmakers become addicted to the title because they cannot forget the taste of the juice. For instance, when Chung went on a family trip, airport authorities rushed out to greet him, and he would have been heartily pleased with the perks that come with the job, Choe observed.

A business-class flight, a prestigious seat on the KTX, a VIP parking space and greeting room are all reserved for free. A National Assembly member gets 500 million won a year to pay for 9 aides and extra money to run their office. They can collect 100 million won in annual donations that go up to 300 million won during an election year. Although their official salary is set at 157 million won, the compensation actually tops 500 million won when counting all the free entitlements. The barber shop, fitness center, sauna and drugstore in the Assembly building are all free.

Their families can also get free care at the clinic, dentist and oriental medicine clinic in the legislative building. The list of prerogatives for lawmakers runs up to 186. If the National Assembly in Seoul is relocated to Sejong City, the benefits would surely become larger. The job indeed is a holy grail.

I once flew on the same flight with Sen. Rand Paul from Kentucky on my way to Boston from Washington D.C. Senators commanding the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress are numbered at 100 with two representing 50 states and enjoy president-like status. But the senator wearing a baseball cap and backpack stood in line and self-collected his bags like other passengers. The congressmen I met during my years in Washington D.C. all moved around in Uber, not the chauffeured sedans Korean legislators use.

Japanese lawmakers enjoy more luxury than their American counterparts. But the perks are limited to one year of free rides in green cars (the first-class section in Shinkansen train) and three free flights per month for travel to and from Tokyo and their constituencies. Sweden, whose GDP doubles Korea’s, pays legislators 100 million won a year. The luxuries don’t matter if Korean lawmakers are worth it. Among 35 OECD members, Korea ranks No. 3 in lawmaker salaries against national income — and yet, it is second from the bottom in the effectiveness of the legislature. Indulging lawmakers with so much tax money and all kinds of liberties is a complete waste.

Just 12 days are left before the April 10 parliamentary elections. Parties promise free university tuition for up to three children and the cancellation of the financial investment income tax. The populism rivalry will only worsen toward the end of the campaign. Voters have heard the cries of wolf too many times to believe any of them. What should really be cancelled are the privileges our lawmakers enjoy. Voters have seen the abysmal nomination system and the hideous political debuts by questionable figures through the bizarre proportional representation system based on satellite parties. No one can explain whether they really deserve the best treatment in the world.

None from the opposition — the DP, the New Reform Party or the weird party founded by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk — has an answer to this question. At least Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the governing People Power Party, proposes scrapping lawmakers’ Constitutional right of immunity from arrest while the legislature is in session and reducing the 300-member legislature to 250. But that can only be a gesture. Lawmakers must vow to relinquish all of the 186 benefits so that there are no political aspirants like Chung who has eyes on the perks rather than the responsibilities. Legislators must serve the people, not stand above them. Whichever party makes the bold promise deserves votes. The legislature will never change if it does not start now.