The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 87

87. Political Reform (2)

At the entrance to the parliament building, guards allowed them in after showing their passes.

The guide explained,

“Swedish parliamentarians have badges, but they cannot enter without a pass. The badges don’t have personal information and can be bought easily.”

Korean lawmakers grumbled, unable to adapt.

“It’s not like we’re borrowing books from the library. Why do we need passes like students?”

The guide said,

“In Sweden, politics is a service. The National Assembly badge is merely a symbol of service. This isn’t the Middle Ages or the military, so why should we use badges to indicate rank?”

“…….”

The gold badges proudly pinned to their chests felt awkward.

The next place the guide led them to was the main assembly hall.

The hall was empty because the lawmakers had not yet arrived.

Korean lawmakers were unimpressed.

“Isn’t it ridiculous for lawmakers to tour another country’s National Assembly hall, like a field trip to a remote island?”

“I agree. It’s not particularly large, and the chairs are old-fashioned.”

The guide asked,

“In Korea, lawmakers sit by party in the National Assembly hall, right?”

In Korea, the ruling party sits on the right and the opposition on the left, based on the Speaker’s seat.

“Of course. Is it different here?”

“In the Swedish Parliament, they sit by region, not by party.”

“What? You mean the ruling and opposition parties sit together?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because they are lawmakers elected by local residents, not lawmakers of a political party.”

“…….”

“Also, in the Swedish National Assembly hall, experienced, veteran lawmakers sit in the front.”

“…….”

Everyone felt a twinge of guilt at the guide’s words.

In Korea, first-term members sit in the front, while veteran lawmakers and party leaders sit in the back.

It was similar to how kids with a bit of power would sit in the back of the classroom to goof off.

The visiting lawmakers were party officials, so they were in the back seats.

The guide asked,

“Don’t you think the desks are a bit strange?”

“The desks seem bare. There are no nameplates? Are they cleaning?”

The guide replied,

“There are no nameplates indicating the lawmaker’s position or name in the main assembly hall.”

“What?”

“It means the meetings are equal. It’s not important which party or whose opinion it is, but whether the opinion is correct.”

Korean leaders were in mental breakdown.

Once the leadership makes a decision, affiliated lawmakers must vote in unison, and if they violate the party line, they are branded as traitors, denied the next nomination, pressured to leave the party, and blocked from proposing bills.

If they are abandoned as independents, their political life is over.

It was truly clique politics.

But this parliament adopted a format that respects the opinion itself.

The lawmakers, who had been arrogantly touring, were busy looking around, embarrassed.

The guide said,

“Next, we have a tour of a lawmaker’s office. Please understand that the lawmakers are busy and cannot spend much time.”

* * *

Swedish lawmaker’s office.

When the guide knocked on the door, a man in his 30s wearing a shirt opened it.

“Oh, you’re the Korean lawmakers. Welcome. I’m sorry that not all of you can come in.”

The lawmakers behind the guide whispered.

“Looks like an aide. How many aides do they have here?”

The guide replied,

“Unlike Korean lawmakers, they don’t have personal aides or secretaries here.”

“What?”

Korean lawmakers can have a total of nine paid aides, including a Grade 4 aide, two Grade 5 secretaries, one each of Grade 6, 7, and 9 secretaries, and two paid interns (based on 2022).

Korean lawmakers were agitated.

“How can we legislate without aides?”

“The Swedish Parliament has one policy aide for every four lawmakers.”

“What? 1:4? Isn’t that completely backwards?”

“Lawmakers use legislative investigators instead of personal aides. The legislative investigators consist of 45 people, including lawyers and scholars, who can provide assistance with specialized materials.”

“…….”

“It’s similar to the function of the National Assembly Research Service in Korea. There is no need to hire a legislative investigator for each member of the National Assembly. The legislative investigator system reduces the probability of hasty laws because they review collectively.”

The visiting lawmakers couldn’t close their gaping mouths.

“Then is that man not an aide?”

“No, he is a two-term lawmaker.”

“What? He looks like he’s in his 30s?”

“About 20% of all Swedish lawmakers are under 36 years old. There are also seven lawmakers under 26 years old.”

“Kids are doing politics?”

“Perhaps Swedish lawmakers wouldn’t understand why Korean lawmakers don’t serve when they are young and energetic, but try to become lawmakers when they are old and weak.”

“…….”

The group of lawmakers, who had never been pushed back by words, had little justification to argue.

The guide went into the lawmaker’s office.

“Only four of you can come in.”

“Ah!”

There was one desk, and the wall was full of books like a study. It was reminiscent of a slightly larger studio apartment.

“No way! Is this the lawmaker’s office? Is there another office besides this?”

“This one room is all the Swedish lawmaker has.”

“…….”

Next, they had lunch in the lawmaker’s cafeteria.

Young lawmakers were holding trays and receiving food like in a university cafeteria.

A lawmaker asked the guide,

“Are those young people really all lawmakers?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Eating cafeteria food in the dining hall, it’s not like the military!”

“The meals are free. If you are treated to a meal during a business trip, the cost of the meal will be deducted from your travel expenses later.”

“Ha, that’s really harsh.”

“The Swedish Parliament does not provide official cars or vehicle maintenance expenses to lawmakers. Therefore, they mainly use buses and subways, etc., from the two-room apartment provided by the National Assembly.”

Korean lawmakers receive approximately 17 million won per year for vehicle maintenance expenses (2014).

“What is the salary level?”

“The salary is 30% higher than the average office worker. Without personal aides, they propose about 80 bills per person per year.”

“80 per year!”

In Korea, 80 bills during a four-year term is unthinkable. Some lawmakers can’t even get one bill on the agenda.

“You must attend the National Assembly every day, which is in session year-round. If you take a leave of absence from your lawmaker position because you cannot perform your duties for personal reasons, your salary (allowance) will be immediately suspended.”

“Every day….”

“The most difficult job among salaried workers in Sweden is a lawmaker. It is almost the only job in Sweden without overtime or special work, where overtime and special work continue. It’s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Friday, Friday.”

“…….”

“Swedes consider lawmakers to be ‘representative of 3D jobs’ [dirty, dangerous, and difficult]. About 20 percent of lawmakers give up their positions without completing their four-year terms due to tight schedules and murderous workloads, resulting in overwork and stress.”

“Give up!”

In Korea, they cling to life with a bulletproof National Assembly even after committing shameless illegal acts, but they quit because it’s hard!

The guide said something even more shocking.

“Oh, by the way, unlike Korea, Swedish lawmakers do not have immunity from arrest or liability.”

“Ahem, ahem!”

The visiting lawmakers were restless as if they had become prisoners.

“If a Swedish lawmaker shows up in a limousine, he will be immediately expelled from the National Assembly due to public criticism and media fire.”

“…….”

“Ahem, then what do Swedish lawmakers live on? No, why do they become lawmakers without such privileges? Is legislative activity even possible?”

“It’s possible because it’s not a position of power or a job, but a service. Do you consider salary and privileges when you do social service?”

“…….”

The meal received on the tray felt like chewing sand.

Even dogs aren’t bothered when they eat… are we worse than dogs….

* * *

A grueling two-night, three-day trip, the last day’s evening.

The bus carrying the Korean lawmakers was leaving the outskirts of the city.

The guide picked up the microphone and explained.

“You are now going to visit the home of the retired prime minister who held long-term power in Sweden for over 20 years. There will be a dinner there.”

The lawmakers had come out because they heard there would be a dinner with President Park on the last day.

A lawmaker asked,

“Even though it’s a parliamentary cabinet system, how is it possible to have a long-term rule of 20 years in a democratic country?”

“Former Prime Minister Tage Erlander, who retired last year, is the most respected politician in Sweden.”

“Ah, retired! What was his later life like?”

Looking at political history, the end of powerful figures is usually miserable.

In Korea alone, they were chased out by citizens, shot, or imprisoned even after completing their terms, not just long-term rule.

It was a question asked because the accumulated offensives of political rivals were expected after 20 years of long-term rule.

“Former Prime Minister Tage won all 11 elections during his tenure, and even in the last election, he was re-elected with more than half of the votes, and then voluntarily handed over the position to his successor and left.”

“Are you saying that the prime minister resigned voluntarily without losing the election?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It was a story that could only be found in dramas.

But the drama was just beginning.

* * *

After driving about two hours from Stockholm, they arrived at a quiet rural village called Bommersvik.

A calm and clear lake appeared.

There was a cabin by the lake.

The guide said,

“That’s where the dinner will be held today.”

“Oh, it’s perfect for a drinking party because it’s so secluded.”

The guide gave a warning.

“That’s where former Prime Minister Tage stays.”

“What? He lives in such a wooden house after 20 years in power?”

The guide explained,

“After Tage retired, people were surprised. That’s because they realized that the prime minister didn’t have a house to live in.”

“The prime minister didn’t even have a house?”

“Even during his time as prime minister, he lived in a rented house and paid monthly rent instead of the official residence. He also used a car driven by his mother instead of an official car for commuting. So he didn’t have a house even after retirement. So the party members hurriedly raised money to prepare a house, and that’s the cabin.”

“…….”

The visiting lawmakers became solemn at the aspect of the prime minister who had given up privileges beyond frugality.

And they began to guess why the dinner was being held at the retired prime minister’s cabin.

At this time, a familiar face appeared in the yard of the cabin.

It was the Korean president who had arrived in advance.

“Welcome!”

The bent-over former Prime Minister Tage also came out and greeted the lawmakers from Korea.

* * *

After the barbecue dinner, they had a glass of wine and held a meeting.

The president asked former Prime Minister Tage,

“I want to know the secret to 20 years of long-term rule.”

“Hahaha, politicians all seem to be curious about extending their rule.”

“The presidential system has advantages and disadvantages because there is a term limit. I think the most ideal politics is when a capable leader is supported by the people and rules for a long time.”

“That’s right. The people should decide the term.”

It was a short but truly meaningful statement.

The prime minister said,

“The secret to long-term rule was the villa meeting.”

“……”