The Democratic United Party on Sunday announced plans to reduce privileges afforded to lawmakers, as rival parties compete for stronger self-reform measures in the hope of winning public support.

The ruling Saenuri Party got a head start earlier this month by releasing a six-point plan aimed to curb lawmakers’ privileges. They included abolishment of pension, waiving the privilege of freedom from arrest, and prohibiting lawmakers from profit-generating posts outside the National Assembly. Saenuri Party lawmakers also voluntarily returned their June pay, as the 19th National Assembly has been unable to open due to differences over standing committees.

The DUP denounced the move as “putting on a show” and blamed the Saenuri Party for the delayed negotiation.

According to the DUP’s plans, the 1.2 million won ($1,000) monthly pension will be abolished completely from the current National Assembly. However, lawmakers who served for more than four years in previous national assemblies and have income and assets below certain levels will be allowed to continue drawing the pension.

Former lawmakers who have been found guilty of breaking the law will also be excluded from the pension system.

The DUP also plans to establish a pension system similar to the national pension scheme in which the government and the lawmakers contribute to the funds.

In addition, lawmakers will be prohibited from holding income-generating posts outside the National Assembly and from investing in companies whose operations are related to a lawmaker’s official duties.

The DUP will also review plans for giving voters the option of removing lawmakers from office, and for updating regulations regarding the privilege of freedom from arrest. Under the current regulations, lawmakers in office cannot be arrested without consent from the National Assembly.

However, unlike the Saenuri Party, which plans to remove the privilege all together, the DUP said it plans to strengthen the National Assembly’s powers to penalize lawmakers when their actions including insults and violence are deemed excessive.

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