The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced the results of a calculation of fundraising done by Political Fund Associations (PFAs) in 2016 showing that 298 PFAs raised a total of 53.5 billion Korea won ($46 million USD).The average fundraising per PFA was 179 million Korean won ($146,000 USD), an increase of 55 million Korean won ($39,000 USD) compared to the average amount raised in 2015, which was 124 million won ($107,000 USD).

This increase is attributed to the fact that constituency members of the 19th National Assembly who had PFA’s before and who registered as candidates and won reelection could raise double the limit usually imposed during non-election years._​[1]

The average amount raised by PFAs broken down according to political party is 180 million Korean won ($156,000 USD) by Saenuri Party members, 184 million Korean won ($159,000 USD) by Minjoo Party of Korea members, 140 million Korean won ($124,000 USD) by People’s Party members, 174 million Korean won ($150,000 USD) by Justice Party members and 201 million Korean won ($181,000 USD) by independent candidates.

On the other hand, the total number of PFAs that raised donations exceeding the annual fundraising limit totaled 68, down from 73 in 2015.

The NEC shall return the excess funds exceeding the annual fundraising limit to the sponsor except if the donation was made by credit card, bank transfer, telephone or Internet electronic payment system. If it is difficult to return the funds due to reasons such as no contact information, the funds are expected to be transferred to the national treasury. 

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