Bill proposed to halt salary, privileges for impeached Yoon
Rep. Park Yong-gab of the Democratic Party of Korea / Courtesy of Park's office
Rep. Park Yong-gab of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea has introduced a bill to suspend salary payments and revoke the issuance of diplomatic and official passports for a president whose duties are suspended following an impeachment vote.
The proposed amendment to the State Public Officials Act stipulates the full suspension of pay for civil servants impeached by the National Assembly. If passed, it would also restrict impeached officials from accessing state secrets or information related to their duties.
The proposed amendment to the Passport Act prohibits the issuance of diplomatic or official passports to former presidents who have been impeached. This would also block benefits such as airport protocol exemptions, immunity from baggage inspections and legal immunity for minor offenses committed abroad.
Park said, Monday, "Currently, there are no provisions in the law to stop salary payments to an impeached president. As a result, Yoon Suk Yeol continues to receive his monthly salary and can access state secrets despite the impeachment vote."
He added, "Providing a salary of 21.2 million won ($16,308) and various privileges to a president who has undermined constitutional order and caused national turmoil through impeachment is out of step with public expectations."
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.