Big Changes Coming for Soldiers’ Paychecks: S.Korea Plans to Boost Soldier Morale

Ministry of National Defense’s Plan
Ensuring Fair Compensation
Increasing Satisfaction for Junior Officers
Attracting Young Generations as Junior Officers

Is it possible to improve the declining enrollment rate for junior military officers and enhance the morale of young soldiers?

On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense unveiled a plan to establish a minimum wage for soldiers and a starting salary for junior officers equivalent to that of medium-sized enterprises. The aim is to boost the morale and satisfaction of young junior officers and the new generation of soldiers, who form the backbone of our military. It remains noteworthy whether this generous compensation will actively encourage young individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for junior officer roles, promote retention, and enhance satisfaction with mandatory military service. Therefore, it reduces the inclination to avoid military duty as regular soldiers.

The military has paid particular attention to improving the treatment of junior officers. According to the 2023-2027 Military Welfare Basic Plan announced by the Ministry of National Defense, the annual salary of sergeants and lieutenants in general units will increase by 14-15% compared to this year by 2027. The annual wage of sergeants and lieutenants in forward guard units will increase by 28-30% during the same period.

Overview of the 2023-2027 Military Welfare Basic Plan

A sergeant’s annual salary (basic salary + allowance + on-duty work pay) in a general unit (from now on, based on 1st grade) will increase by 14% from 32.96 million won (US$25,000) this year to 37.61 million won(US$ 28,500) in 2027. The annual salary of a lieutenant in a general unit will increase by 15% from 33.93 million won (US$25,700) to 39.10 million won (US$30,000).

Above all, the increase rate is twice as high in boundary units such as the General Post (GP) and General Outpost (GOP), sea and river coasts, ships, and air defense, compared to general units. The personnel working in the boundary units account for about 20% of all junior officers. Accordingly, the annual salary of a sergeant working in a boundary unit will increase by 28% from 38.17 million won (US$29,000) this year to 49.04 million won (US$37,000) in 2027. The annual salary of a lieutenant working in a boundary unit will increase by 30% from 38.56 million won (US$29,000) to 49.90 million won (US$38,000) during the same period, receiving compensation at the level of a medium-sized company.

Doubling Incentive Money

Starting next year, one-time incentive payments for short-term service officers and non-commissioned officers will also double.

The incentive money for short-term service officers will increase from 6 million won (US$4,500) last year to 12 million won (US$9,000) next year. For short-term service non-commissioned officers, it will increase from 5 million won (US$3,800) in the previous year to 10 million won (US$7,600) next year.

In particular, the Ministry of National Defense plans to increase the salary to the level of other public agencies to prevent the outflow of executives with professional qualifications, such as pilots, cyber experts, and military officers.

The reason for focusing on improving the treatment of junior officers is that although the term of service is shorter and the salary is higher for soldiers, it is challenging to secure junior officers because the term of service is longer than that of soldiers. The pay is lower than that of new employees of medium-sized companies.

The Ministry of National Defense explained, “We will pay compensation equivalent to the level of a medium-sized company to junior officers, not only to provide fair compensation for the performance of the duties of professional soldiers but also to prevent the outflow of the core power of the military and to form the basis for maintaining combat power.”

Guaranteeing Minimum Wage for Soldiers

According to the plan to guarantee the soldier’s salary at the minimum wage level, which is also a pledge of President Yoon Seok-yeol, the monthly pay of a corporal will increase to 1.5 million won (US$1,140) by 2025. According to the Ministry of National Defense, when government support funds under the ‘Asset Formation Program’ are added to the monthly salary of soldiers, a corporal can potentially receive up to 2.05 million won (approximately US$1,550) by 2025.

In addition, the Asset Formation Program is a system where if soldiers save a part of their monthly salary, the government supports 100% of the deposit principal. From 2025, the monthly deposit limit will increase from 400,000 won ($300) to 550,000 won ($420). Hence, if a soldier enlisting in 2025 consistently deposits 550,000 won ($420) per month throughout their 18-month service period, they can accumulate a lump sum of 20 million won ($15,000) upon discharge. This sum includes government support funds equivalent to 100% of the deposits and interest at 5% annually. It is a measure to block attempts to avoid military support due to negative perceptions of military life while increasing the satisfaction of military life and receiving lump-sum retirement money after 18 months of military life.

In addition, they will take measures such as guaranteeing one room per person in officers’ quarters, improving military life quarters to 2-4 rooms, expanding universities that recognize military service credits, strengthening support for re-employment of discharged officers, expanding education and education support for children of military personnel.

Improving Living Conditions

By 2026, all officers’ quarters will be assigned one room per person. They will support individual appliances such as washing machines and induction cooktops to create a living environment suitable for the younger generation. In addition, they plan to expand the officers’ quarters where officer families live from 92 square meters (996 square feet) for four people to 105 square meters (1138 square feet) and to fully improve essential living facilities to achieve zero rusty and leaking officers’ quarters. The military life quarters will be adjusted to a combined living space for 2-4 people.

Support for Military Families

The welfare of military families will see enhancements. By 2027, 21 military daycare centers will be established, increasing the total to 178. Furthermore, military children receiving online learning and scholarship support will rise from 1,500 to 3,200 and 4,000 4,100, respectively.

Enhanced Medical Services

Expanding remote treatment will be prioritized to improve the quality of medical services. Dedicated medical transport helicopters will increase from 7 to 11 by 2027. Additionally, the remote treatment system will be extended to 105 locations, including coastal areas, riverbanks, and border units. In addition, they plan to build a rehabilitation hospital by increasing the operation of the Armed Forces Trauma Center.

Abolishing Mandatory Meals

They will also abolish the mandatory meals for soldiers and significantly expand the selection of meals. The plan includes improving the process of determining standard meal items and quantities, establishing contracts for procuring agricultural, livestock, and marine products, and ensuring that the same menu is provided uniformly across all military units.

From now on, there will be no standard meal items, and the new generation of soldiers can choose and procure the food materials they prefer. Improving the menu composition unit to the division level guarantees the opportunity for soldiers to select meals, thereby increasing meal satisfaction. In addition, they plan to provide items that significantly improve the activity and warmth of the soldiers’ uniforms.

Supporting Post-Service Employment

They will also establish a system for issuing military job capability and recognition certificates by 2025 to support employment linked to military service experience. In addition, they plan to expand the startup support project within the military to lead to actual startups and productization. In addition to increasing the use of mobile phones in the army, they will also introduce additional e-books and audiobooks. The outdated and unused military library will undergo continuous improvements and transformation into a book cafe-style library by 2027.

An official from the Ministry of National Defense said, “We aim to establish a foundation for fostering an elite advanced strong army,” and “We will improve the quality of life of military personnel and their families to boost morale and concentrate on their duties.”

By. Hyun Ho Lee