Their compensation was higher than what all ambassadors have received combined over the past five years.
Reported on Nov. 7, KST, New Jeans they are the highest paid honorary ambassadors of the city of Seoul.
According to data obtained from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the Seoul Provincial Assembly, NewJeans received 240 million KRW (about $171,000) for their compensation as honorary ambassadors of Seoul City, the highest compensation highest ever received from anyone for this role.
NewJeans’ compensation was more than half of the ₩450 million KRW (about $321,000 USD) paid to 55 people appointed as public relations ambassadors for the city of Seoul over the past five years.
Traditionally, public relations ambassadors of local governments do not receive any compensation for their activities, as these positions are considered honorary, with the exception of the city of Seoul. The Seoul government compensates its ambassadors and classifies them as non-government workers.
Interestingly, Article 6 of the Public Relations Ambassadors Operation Ordinance of the Seoul Metropolitan Government clearly states that public relations ambassadors are honorary and unpaid positions. However, it also allows ambassadors to receive”necessary expenses” such as travel expenses, etc., for the role. The amount paid to NewJeans, however, has attracted criticism as far exceeding the threshold for necessary expenses. Councilor Kim Hye Young stressed that it should be seen as such compensation received by the group for its promotional activities.
There are currently 34 honorary ambassadors for the city of Seoul, including singers, actors and hosts. 29 of them worked without compensation for the role. In addition to NewJeans, a designer who also works as an honorary ambassador reportedly received ₩40.0 million KRW (approximately $28,500 USD) from the city of Seoul. Another ambassador, a broadcaster, received 25.0 million KRW (about $17,800).
Meanwhile, NewJeans were named honorary ambassadors of Seoul last year, along with a popular YouTube creator and others TikTok influencer. Since then, the group has participated in numerous events related to the city of Seoul, including Seoul Fashion Week.
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