"COVID-19 Pain Sharing" Ministers and Vice Ministers Return 30% of Salary for 4 Months

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is entering Donggyo Elementary School in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 20th to conduct an on-site inspection of emergency care following the delay of the school opening. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The government has decided to forgo 30% of the salaries of ministers and vice ministers for the next four months to share the burden caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

The Prime Minister's Office announced that the government made this decision at an emergency Cabinet members' workshop presided over by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at the Government Seoul Office on the 21st.

At the meeting, Cabinet members including Prime Minister Chung, as well as heads of institutions participating in the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) such as the Financial Services Commission, Korea Communications Commission, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Personnel Management, and National Police Agency, were present.

The meeting focused on specific methods to implement social distancing and ways to enhance its effectiveness, the government's role in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and achieving a new leap forward. Ongoing government projects will also be reprioritized and promoted according to the crisis situation, and preparations will be made in advance regarding the direction Korean society should take after overcoming COVID-19.

In particular, since only fifteen days remain until the reopening of schools at all levels on the 6th of next month, there was consensus on the need for measures to ensure the practice of social distancing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Temporary suspension recommendations for religious facilities, indoor sports facilities, entertainment venues, and administrative orders in case of non-compliance will also be implemented.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Chung reportedly urged at the workshop, "I ask the entire Cabinet to respond with extraordinary determination to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people due to the COVID-19 crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.