South Korean lawmakers face scrutiny over 4.4 million won Chuseok bonuses

South Korean National Assembly members are facing scrutiny over holiday bonuses for Chuseok, which amount to approximately 4.4 million won per person. This figure exceeds the average monthly income of many wage earners and is significantly higher than the bonuses provided by private sector companies.

Data from the Korea Federation of SMEs indicates that only 45.1% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to pay Chuseok bonuses, with the average fixed bonus being around 665,000 won. This makes the lawmakers' holiday pay more than six times higher than the average SME bonus. Additionally, the Korea Enterprises Federation reported that the percentage of companies planning to pay bonuses has decreased compared to last year, with many citing worsening management conditions.

Amid the controversy, Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party announced she has donated her full holiday bonuses for both Lunar New Year and Chuseok to various social welfare facilities, including centers for single mothers and children with disabilities.