In the End, Soldiers' Monthly Salary of 2 Million Won Falls Through... Candidate Lee Says "Financial Resources Are Insufficient"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop said regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign promise of ‘soldiers' monthly salary of 2 million won’ that "due to financial conditions, it cannot be realized immediately."

At the National Assembly confirmation hearing on the 4th, in response to a related question from Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo, the nominee said, "I have thought a lot about actively promoting it, but due to financial conditions, it was adjusted to gradually increase partially."

During the presidential election campaign, President-elect Yoon pledged to significantly improve the pay and treatment of ordinary soldiers by promising a ‘soldiers' monthly salary of 2 million won.’ However, the Presidential Transition Committee announced the national agenda the day before, stating that it would be realized by 2025 through lump-sum payments and other methods, drawing criticism that this was a step back from the original promise.

The soldiers' salary is expected to be applied by 2025 based on the pay for the rank of Sergeant, combined with an asset formation program to reach 2 million won per month. The asset formation program is known to be a method where soldiers deposit a certain amount as savings, and the state compensates a certain amount to increase the accumulated funds.

People Power Party lawmaker Shin Won-sik also said, "Although they cannot openly express dissatisfaction, quite a few soldiers may feel a sense of loss inside," and urged, "It would be good if the minister visits the field and explains the measures in detail during such times."

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