South Korea’s electoral watchdog said on Monday it was considering limiting the amount of funds lawmakers receive at book launches ― social gatherings often used as means of exchanging large amounts of money for political favors.

The National Election Commission’s move comes amid increasing public criticism of lawmakers who have used the events as an alternative way to collect political contributions.

Legislators regularly hold book launches to advertise books they have recently penned and invite guests to buy copies.

But junior politicians and lobbyists seeking favors from lawmakers often use the showcases as opportunities to donate large sums in return for cozy relations.

According to related laws, lawmakers are limited to receiving up to 150 million won ($144,000) from sponsors to fund election campaigns. However, candidates for parliament and incumbent lawmakers have taken advantage of the book events as a legal means of gathering additional funds, as the money earned at the events does not officially count as political contributions.

Public opinion has turned against the thinly veiled political lobbying events in recent months. Two lawmakers accused of graft said some of the cash prosecutors found hidden in their safes was from book publishing events.

Monday’s announcement by the NEC included additional proposals. Officials suggested that the books in question should be beneficial to the public. The NEC is likely to allow lawmakers to hold publishing events only for books directly related to “legislative activities” such as studies on public policy-making, or summaries of election campaign pledges. Lawmakers usually publish books that are autobiographical in nature.

Disclosing the names of guests invited to the book launches and the sums each invitee donates to the lawmaker could also become mandatory. Up to now, lawmakers have not had to reveal how much money they receive from each guest.

Officials are also considering requiring lawmakers to disclose how and where the money earned at such book events is spent.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)