[Changes in the Second Half of 2022] Soldier Meal Allowance Increases by 2,000 Won... Military Introduces 'Optional Meal System'

Soldiers' Meal Allowance Increased from 11,000 Won to 13,000 Won
Civil Judicial Agencies to Handle Military Sexual Violence Crimes and Others

The offline job fair for military personnel, which had not been held due to COVID-19, was held for the first time in three years. On the 11th of last month, soldiers were looking for jobs at the "2022 First Half 1st Military Personnel Job Fair" held at Hall 5 of KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. This event featured over 120 company booths for recruitment interviews and consultations, as well as recruitment briefings and special lectures by notable figures. The Ministry of National Defense plans to hold a total of three job fairs this year, including this first fair, with additional events scheduled for June and September. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] Starting next month, the daily basic meal allowance for military personnel will increase by 2,000 won. The government plans to raise the basic meal allowance to 15,000 won by 2024.

The government published a booklet titled "Changes Starting from the Second Half of 2022" on the 30th, which clearly summarizes the systems and laws that will change from the second half of this year.

First, from next month, the daily basic meal allowance per soldier will be raised from the current 11,000 won to 13,000 won, an increase of 2,000 won. This is a follow-up measure to the introduction of the "selective meal system," a national agenda of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The rise in food ingredient prices due to supply chain instability also influenced this increase.

The increased meal allowance will be used to expand popular items among soldiers, such as meat. The Ministry of National Defense intends to maintain nutritional balance through vegetables and fruits and procure ingredients with guaranteed quality.

The government plans to continue raising the meal allowance for soldiers. It is reported that the Ministry of National Defense aims to raise the daily basic meal allowance to 15,000 won by 2024.

Additionally, the government will expand the introduction of the latest cooking equipment, such as collaborative robots. It plans to improve the environment of military dining halls and strengthen the expertise of cooking personnel.

From next month, the system and organization of military judicial institutions, such as military courts and military prosecutors, will also be reorganized. This is because the amendment to the Military Court Act, promoted as part of military judicial reform, will take effect on the 1st of next month. According to the amendment, cases of sexual violence by military personnel and crimes committed before enlistment, which were handled by military judicial institutions, will be investigated and tried by civilian judicial institutions.

Appeals for military trials will also be transferred to the Seoul High Court. The High Military Court, which previously handled appeals for military trials, will be abolished.

Military courts established in each branch of the military will be integrated into military courts directly under the Minister of National Defense. The Ministry of National Defense will establish regional military courts responsible for first-instance trials in five regions nationwide. Each court will be composed of three military judges.

Prosecutorial offices under the Minister of National Defense and the chiefs of staff of each military branch will also be established. The prosecutorial offices will limit the exercise of specific command rights over military prosecutors. The amendment to the Military Court Act also stipulates the obligation of cooperation between military prosecutors and military judicial police officers.

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