The Saenuri Party said Tuesday all of its lawmakers will give up their salaries for this month in accordance with the party leadership's decision to stick to the "no-work, no-pay" principle, a cornerstone in the ruling party's parliamentary reform measures.
The measure to forfeit salaries when the parliament is out of work is one of six major reform measures the party is seeking to reduce privileges and benefits given to lawmakers and tighten their ethical standards in an effort to woo voters in a presidential election year.
The new 300-member National Assembly, elected in April's general elections, began its four-year term on May 30, but it has not formally opened yet, as the ruling and main opposition parties are locked in a standoff over control of key parliamentary committees.
The Saenuri lawmakers' decision to give up their June salary averaging 11 million won ($9,515) per person was reached during the party's general conference at the National Assembly.
"There was some objection to the no-work, no-pay system being applied to parliament. But the absolute majority of lawmakers agreed to abandon their salary, holding themselves responsible for the failure to open the Assembly on time," Saenuri floor spokesman Hong Il-pyo said.
Earlier Tuesday, Saenuri floor leader Lee Hahn-koo urged the main opposition Democratic United Party to abide by the no-work, no-pay principle. (Yonhap News)
