[Changes from the Second Half of the Year] On-Site Internship University Students to Receive at Least 75% of Minimum Wage

Subscribers to Jangbyeong Naeil Preparation Savings Account Receive Additional 1%P Interest
Disclosure of Military Service Status for Grade 4 and Above Public Officials Expanded to Include 'Spouse'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Se-hee] To prevent the recurrence of the controversy over 'passion pay' during university students' field internships, the government will pay students participating in standard field internships at least 75% of the minimum wage. From now on, applicants for academy registration or changes will no longer need to submit an electrical safety inspection certificate to the relevant education support office. Military personnel will receive an additional 1% preferential interest rate on savings supported by national funds.

On the 28th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance published "Changes from the second half of 2021" containing these details.

Measures to Remedy Teachers... No Submission of Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate for Academy Registration or Changes

From the second half of this year, students participating in field internships under industry-academia cooperation education programs will receive internship support payments of at least 75% of the minimum wage. For the autonomous field internship semester system, paid internships will be the principle, but unpaid internships will be allowed only under strict conditions. Additionally, to strengthen the safety net for participating students, universities must enroll students participating in internships in accident insurance, and internship institutions must subscribe to industrial accident insurance.

Measures to remedy teachers who have received unreasonable disciplinary actions will also be established. This is to ensure that private schools and others comply with the decisions of the Teacher Appeal Review Committee to cancel or amend disciplinary actions. When a decision is made by the Teacher Appeal Review Committee, the authority responsible for the disciplinary action must take measures according to the decision within 30 days and submit the results to the committee. If the remedy order is not implemented, a coercive fine of up to 20 million KRW may be imposed, and those who fail to comply may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

From now on, applicants for academy registration or changes will no longer need to submit an electrical safety inspection certificate to the relevant education support office. Instead, the responsible official can verify it electronically through the system. Previously, applicants had to directly submit documents such as the principle, electrical safety inspection certificate, academy facility floor plan, board meeting minutes, and facility usage proof documents to the relevant education support office.

Alternative Service Personnel Also Eligible for Military Savings... Disclosure of Military Service Records for Public Officials Grade 4 and Above Expanded to Spouses

Subscribers to the Military Tomorrow Preparation Savings will receive an additional 1 percentage point in preferential interest rates. The eligibility has also been expanded to include alternative service personnel. Military personnel fulfilling their service obligations who subscribe to the Military Tomorrow Preparation Savings will receive a retroactive 1 percentage point preferential interest rate from the initial subscription date upon maturity. Additionally, alternative service personnel working at alternative service institutions due to conscientious objection based on religion, nonviolence, or pacifism can also subscribe to the product. As of March 2021, about 310,000 people had subscribed.

Military service obligations for those under criminal investigation will be postponed. This is because enlisting while under investigation for criminal charges disrupts the continuity of the investigation and prevents the individual from fully concentrating on service. If the head of the investigative agency requests a postponement of enlistment, the local Military Manpower Administration director can postpone enlistment for up to one year ex officio.

From October, the disclosure of military service records for public officials grade 4 and above will be expanded to include spouses. Currently, only the public official themselves and their direct descendants aged 18 or older are subject to disclosure. This expansion is considered necessary especially as women's participation in public service has become more active. The Military Manpower Administration expects this system to contribute to fostering a transparent military service culture in the public sector.

Video interviews for active duty recruit applicants will be expanded. This aims to alleviate the inconvenience of visiting interview locations for those living far away and reduce the burden of face-to-face interviews. From July, video interviews will be extended to the Navy and Marine Corps. Accordingly, all recruit interviewees will be selected through non-face-to-face interviews. However, some specialized technical soldiers who undergo language or practical skill evaluations are excluded.

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