The two main political parties appeared likely to agree on overhauling the controversial lawmaker pension system on Thursday.

“Providing 1.2 million won ($1,000) each month from the age of 65 even if the (lawmaker’s) post was held for as little as one day is clearly problematic and should be improved,” Rep. Lee Yong-sup of the Democratic United Party said in a radio interview.

He added that while the DUP has not decided on an official stance on the matter, the system as it stands is “very unfair” as it entitles those who have only held office for a short period of time to the life-long pension.

Lee’s comments came a day after the ruling Saenuri Party’s floor leader Rep. Lee Hahn-koo indicated similar intentions.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Lee said that the pension system should be reformed within “logical boundaries to reflect the public opinion.”

According to Rep. Hong Il-pyo of the Saenuri Party, the party is considering changes such as restricting lawmakers involved in corruption cases from drawing pension and setting a minimum service period to become eligible for the pension.

Under the Act on Promotion of the Constitutional Government Society of the Republic of Korea passed during the 18th National Assembly, former lawmakers are eligible to receive 1.2 million won per month pension from the age of 65.

At present there is no limit on the duration of service to be eligible for the pension including the lawmakers whose terms were cut short due to involvement in corruption cases.

The two parties’ stances on the pension system mark a rare moment of agreement between the left-leaning DUP and the conservative Saenuri Party.

However, the two parties appeared to have differing stances on the immunity from arrest for acts conducted within the National Assembly afforded to the lawmakers.

While Rep. Lee of Saenuri Party said that measures will be introduced to reflect that the party’s decision to give up the privilege, the DUP’s Lee said that measures for protecting lawmakers from “politically motivated investigations” were necessary.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)