Do Officials Below Grade 1 Also Return Salaries... Some Local Government Heads Participate, What About Public Institution Leaders?

On the 15th, disinfection work was carried out at Korea Building in Guro-gu, Seoul, where a large number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Following the decision for government ministers and vice ministers to return 30% of their salaries for the next four months, a plan is being discussed for public officials below grade 1 to also partially participate.

Some local government heads have already expressed their willingness to join the government's salary return policy. Although not included in this round, heads of public institutions who receive ministerial-level treatment are also expected to voluntarily participate in the return.

According to the Prime Minister's Office and other government departments on the 22nd, the government reviewed this plan at an emergency Cabinet members workshop chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 21st.

A government official said, "The Cabinet members who attended the workshop decided to return 30% of their salaries for four months as a way to share the public's hardship, and during this process, a plan for some public officials below grade 1 to participate also emerged," adding, "It was intended for public officials to take the lead."

He continued, "Although heads of public institutions are not included in this target, voluntary returns are expected to continue, broadening the scope," he added.

On the same day, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin announced at a regular COVID-19 briefing, "I will participate in the campaign to return 30% of my salary." He added, "Willing public officials can join, but it will not be forced."

Employees of Gyeongbuk Province also decided to voluntarily return the portion of their March salary increase. About 7,000 people from the provincial government headquarters, affiliated agencies, business offices, regional headquarters, fire headquarters, city and county fire stations, and the provincial council will participate. The approximately 230 million won collected will be used to support the livelihoods of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon will also join the government's salary return policy. A Seoul city official said, "Mayor Park agrees with and will participate in the government's salary return policy," adding, "No separate statement will be made."

This is not the first time that ministers and vice ministers have returned their salaries due to economic downturn. In December 1997, during the IMF foreign exchange crisis, former Prime Minister Ko Gun proposed that the Prime Minister return 30% and other Cabinet members return 20% of their salaries to the national treasury. Additionally, during the global financial crisis in 2009 and 2010, public officials' salaries were frozen for two years.