31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?

"(1) Subsidies shall be used only to cover the following expenses that are needed to operate political parties: 1. Labor cost; 2. Expenses for office fixtures and expendable goods; 3. Expenses for opening and operating offices; 4. Expenses for public utility charges; 5. Expenses for developing policies; 6. Expenses for training and educating party members; 7. Expenses for party activities; 8. Expenses for public relations; 9. Expenses for elections. (2) Every political party that is paid the ordinary subsidies shall use at least 30/100 of such ordinary subsidies for its policy development institute (referring to the policy development institute provided for in the provisions of Article 38 of the Political Parties Act; hereinafter the same shall apply), distribute and pay at least 10/100 thereof to its City/Do party branch offices and use at least 10/100 thereof for the development of female politics. (3) Every political party may pay its subsidies to its candidates and its preliminary candidates who are its members to run in elections for public office. The subsidies for fielding female candidates and those for fielding disabled candidate shall be used for the election expenses of female candidates and disabled candidates, notwithstanding paragraph (1). <Amended by Act No. 9975, Jan. 25, 2010> (4) The members and staff of election commissions at various levels (excluding Eup/Myeon/Dong election commissions) may, if deemed necessary to supervise political parties that are paid subsidies or any person who is paid subsidies and other related persons or to confirm whether the subsidies are used in violation of this Act, audit the expenditure of such subsidies.
Article 28, Public Funds Act, 2023"