Political donations collected by lawmakers fell short of the upper limit in 2014, official data showed Tuesday, in an apparent reflection of growing political apathy.

A total of 299 lawmakers received just over 50.4 billion won ($45.7 million) in political donations through their supporters’ associations, according to the country’s election watchdog, the National Election Commission.

Rep. Choi Min-hee of the main opposition party New Politics Alliance for Democracy was excluded from the tally as she does not have her own supporters’ club.

On average, each lawmaker collected 168.6 million won, or just over half the maximum amount of 300 million won allowed in an election year. Nationwide local elections were held in June.

The total amount was an increase of some 12.2 billion won from 2013.

Lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party collected the most, with each person earning an average of 175 million won, followed by NPAD lawmakers with an average of 164 million won and the minor opposition Justice Party with an average of 156 million won.

By individual, Rep. Kim Jae-won of the Saenuri Party earned the most with 311 million won, while Rep. Kwon Eun-hee of the NPAD earned the least with 17 million won. 

(Yonhap)