President Yoon: "Soldier Salaries to Be Raised by 2 Million Won Without Delay" (Comprehensive)

Ministry of National Defense Work Report Discusses 'Expansion of Korea-type 3-Axis System Posture and Normalization of ROK-US Joint Exercises'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan, Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nakgyu] On the 22nd, President Yoon Seok-yeol urged Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop to raise soldiers' salaries and thoroughly conduct combined South Korea-U.S. military exercises. Minister Lee reported to President Yoon that he would strengthen the posture of the Korean-style 3-axis system, including the Kill Chain, and normalize the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises. Regarding the key national agenda of raising soldiers' salaries, he presented a plan to increase it to 2 million won by 2025.

On the morning of the same day, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building, President Yoon received a briefing on the Ministry of National Defense's work from Minister Lee and conveyed additional instructions, saying, "Please make every effort to promote Defense Innovation 4.0 and Defense AI." President Yoon emphasized, "In line with strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance, joint exercises and drills must be thoroughly conducted, including normalizing live-fire exercises," and added, "Please carry out the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with substance."

In particular, to improve military service culture, he mentioned the digital cyber adaptation rate should be significantly reflected in personnel evaluations, referring to the digital cyberization of the entire military. Regarding the MZ generation's military life, he said, "Please continuously improve military service culture so that military life can be safe and beneficial," and instructed, "Ensure the smooth implementation of raising soldiers' salaries to 2 million won."

On the same day, the Ministry of National Defense focused its report on the implementation plans for major tasks such as expanding the Korean-style 3-axis system, promoting defense artificial intelligence strategies, and strengthening South Korea-U.S. joint exercises. The Korean-style 3-axis system is a concept to respond to North Korea's increasingly advanced nuclear and missile threats, consisting of the Kill Chain, which detects, tracks, and strikes North Korean missiles; the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), which intercepts North Korean ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM); and the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), which annihilates enemy command facilities. To enhance the Kill Chain, reconnaissance satellites such as military satellites will be strengthened, and a multi-layered missile defense system will be established early through medium-range surface-to-air missiles (M-SAM) Cheongung-II and long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM).

Before the briefing that day, President Yoon stated on his way to work regarding North Korea's nuclear test trends, "We believe they are in a state where they can conduct a test anytime once they make up their mind." This was in response to the U.S. Department of Defense's statement on the 20th (local time) that "North Korea is assessed to have completed preparations for a nuclear test at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site as early as this month."

The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the name of the second half combined exercise to be conducted by South Korea and the U.S. next month as UFS (Ulchi Freedom Shield). This reflects the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's intention to normalize joint exercises that had been scaled down during the Moon Jae-in administration due to denuclearization negotiations. The increase in soldiers' salaries was also reiterated. Minister Lee reported, "To provide appropriate treatment and compensation for fulfilling military service obligations, we will combine salaries with asset formation programs and raise the salary to 2 million won by 2025." Earlier, President Yoon stated at the first National Fiscal Strategy Meeting after his inauguration on the 7th, "National agenda items promised to the people, such as raising soldiers' salaries, must be implemented without fail using saved resources."

Following the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Unification also held a presidential briefing on the same day. At this meeting, Minister Kwon Young-se is expected to discuss policies to lead North Korea's complete denuclearization and improve humanitarian conditions such as human rights for North Korean residents with President Yoon. Additionally, as attention has been drawn to the issue of repatriation of North Korean fishermen through the release of photos and videos, a report on fact-finding investigations is also expected to be made.

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