Attention is focused on how much reimbursement candidates can receive for their campaign expenses after the 21st presidential election.
According to the National Election Commission, each candidate and party must claim reimbursement for election expenses by the 23rd.
The National Election Commission plans to reimburse campaign expenditures within the limit of 58.85 billion won, the maximum for the 21st presidential election, based on each candidate's vote percentage. After reviewing for any violations regarding campaign activities and donation restrictions, expenses will be reimbursed by Aug. 12.
If a candidate's vote count is 15% or more of the total valid votes, the party or candidate will be reimbursed in full for their election expenditures. If they receive 10% to 15%, half will be reimbursed.
Accordingly, President Lee Jae-myung, who won 49.42% of the votes, and former People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who received 41.15%, are expected to receive full reimbursement for their election expenses. The total reimbursement they will receive is estimated to reach 115.5 billion won. Previously, the maximum campaign expense for the 20th presidential election was 51.39 billion won, with the Democratic Party being reimbursed 43.1 billion won and the People Power Party 39.4 billion won respectively.
On the other hand, former Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok is unlikely to receive reimbursement for election expenses, estimated to be about 3 billion won. Lee's vote percentage was 8.34%, and former Democratic Labor Party candidate Kwon Young-guk's was 0.98%, both failing to reach the 10% threshold.
However, the Reform Party has taken the stance that election expenses were covered by donations. Seo Jin-seok, deputy spokesperson for the Reform Party, noted on Facebook on the 3rd, “The election expenses have already been fully covered by donations. Even if we return all the subsidies, we are still in surplus.”
In addition, independent candidates like Song Jin-ho, and former independent candidates Hwang Kyo-ahn and Koo Joo-wa, who withdrew mid-campaign, will not receive reimbursement for election expenses but must submit financial reports to the National Election Commission.