Sim Sang-jung Tops Last Year's Donations... 6 from Democratic Party and 3 from People Power Party in Top 10

Sim Sang-jung, former leader of the Justice Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering an opening speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The member of the National Assembly who raised the most sponsorship funds last year was Shim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, with approximately 318.8 million KRW. Among the top 10, six members were from the Democratic Party and three from the People Power Party. By party, the Justice Party received the highest amount of sponsorship funds.

According to the 2020 sponsorship fundraising data obtained on the 25th through a request for information disclosure from the National Election Commission, following Shim Sang-jung were Democratic Party members Ahn Ho-young (317.9 million KRW), Jeon Jae-soo (310.8 million KRW), and Lee Jae-jung (310.6 million KRW).

In the People Power Party, Lee Cheol-gyu raised the most sponsorship funds with 310.5 million KRW. Following were Democratic Party members Kim Byung-wook (307.7 million KRW) and Kwon Chil-seung (306.6 million KRW), and Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, ranked high with 306.4 million KRW. People Power Party member Yoon Han-hong (363 million KRW) and Democratic Party member Kim Young-joo (358 million KRW) also ranked within the top 10.

Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon raised 149.9 million KRW, and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon raised 293.4 million KRW.

Twenty-four central party sponsorship committees raised about 6.433 billion KRW, and 300 National Assembly member sponsorship committees raised about 53.824 billion KRW. The Justice Party raised the most with 1.84 billion KRW, followed by the Progressive Party with 1.025 billion KRW, the Open Democratic Party with 640 million KRW, the Democratic Party with 621 million KRW, the Our Republican Party with 660 million KRW, the People Power Party with 497 million KRW, and the Liberty Dawn Party with 359 million KRW.

The average fundraising amount for National Assembly member sponsorship committees was 179 million KRW, an increase of about 59 million KRW compared to 2019. Members of the 20th National Assembly who were elected in the 21st National Assembly elections can raise up to 300 million KRW, which is twice the usual fundraising limit of 150 million KRW. There are 74 sponsorship committees that exceeded this limit, and the excess amount will be included in the fundraising limit for the following year.

The National Election Commission stated that it plans to conduct focused investigations into illegal donations and solicitation of donations by corporations and organizations, private use and misuse of political funds, and donors exceeding their annual donation limits, and will take strict action if violations are found.

Additionally, political fund crimes can be reported anywhere nationwide by calling 1390, and whistleblowers and informants are thoroughly protected by law and can receive a reward of up to 500 million KRW.