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REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Kuk Hoe (National Assembly)
PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Mandate module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Kuk Hoe / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Unicameral
NATURE
Nature of the mandate Free representation
Start of the mandate From the day following the expiration of the preceding legislature
Validation of mandates
End of the mandate 4 years after the start of the mandate
Can MPs resign? Yes
Can MPs lose their mandate? Yes - If found to be holding a concurrent job prohibited under the law.
- If found to be exercising the authority of one's previous job after the
commencement of one's duties.
- If one loses the right to stand for elections.
- If the court nullifies the election or its result.
- If the National Assembly decides to dismiss the assemblyman.
- If the National Assembly disqualifies the assemblyman after screening.
- If a lawmaker elected through the proportional representation system changes his/her party affiliation or leaves the original party.
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy
Indemnities, facilities and services - Stipends, incentives, and allowance for legislative activities
- Car maintenance expenses
- 6 aides and secretaries
- 2 interns for inspection of the administrative affairs
- Free use of national transportation means such as railroads, ships, and airlines
(Provided that the National Assembly is in session)
Obligation to declare personal assets Yes
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability - Stipulated by the Article 45 of the Constitution
- Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament.
- Can be subjected to ethical investigation and disciplinary measures within the National Assembly.

Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability - Stipulated by the Article 44 of the Constitution
- An assemblyman shall not be arrested or detained without the consent of the National Assembly except in the case of flagrant offenses.
- Applies only to criminal proceedings.
- The National Assembly may request lawmakers arrested or detained before the opening of the session to be freed.
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training - Provides study meetings and training course to newly elected MPs
- Provides handbooks for reference
- Collection of Proceedings of the National Assembly
- Collection of Interpretation of the National Assembly Act
- Collection of the Precedents of the National Assembly
Participation in the work of the Parliament - MPs are obliged to be present at plenary sittings and committee meetings.
- An MP can face disciplinary measures if he/she fails to fulfill one's duties to attend meetings within 7 days since the convocation without any justifiable cause.
Discipline o Stipulated by the National Assembly Act
(Paragraph 2 of the Article 155, Article 163)
o Disciplinary measures foreseen (types of discipline)
- Warning at an open meeting
- Apology at an open meeting
- Suspension of attendance for a period not exceeding thirty days
- Expulsion
o Major reasons for discipline
- Committing an act contrary to the provisions of Duty of Integrity, Prohibition of Grafting and Prohibition from Speaking such as contempt.
- Allowing others to inspect, transcribe, or reproduce confidential or non-
published materials for the sake of national security.
- Publishing the contents of a closed meeting.
- Causing disturbance in the chamber and disobeying the orders of the Speaker or committee chairmen.
- Failure to attend plenary or committee meetings without any justifiable reason within seven days from the convocation day or within five days after receiving a written request for attendance.
- Receiving two or more warnings from the Special Ethics Committee for violating the assemblymen's ethical principle and the assemblymen's ethical practice regulations.
Code (rules) of conduct o Stipulated by the Article 155 (1) of the National Assembly Act, the assemblymen's ethical principle, and the assemblymen's ethical practice regulations.
o Penalties foreseen for violation of the code of conduct
- Receiving two or more warnings from the Special Ethics Committee for violating the assemblymen's ethical principle and the assemblymen's ethical practice regulations.
o Competent body to judge & impose penalties
- Competent body to judge violation: Special Ethics Committee
- Competent body to impose penalties: Plenary meetings
Relations between MPs and pressure group - There is no legal provision in this field although a regulation does exist that forbids MPs from engaging in interest-seeking activities.

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