[Changes from the Second Half of the Year] Public Disclosure of Child Sexual Exploitation Offenders...Significant Strengthening of Military Injury Compensation

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Starting from the second half of this year, offenders of child and adolescent sexual exploitation crimes will be subject to orders for disclosure and notification of their personal information. Additionally, the 'Yeogwontongmun Day (September 1)', designated to commemorate the first women's rights declaration day in Korea, will be officially observed as a legal memorial day for the first time.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance published "Changes Starting from the Second Half of 2020," summarizing the institutional and legal changes effective from the second half of this year on the 26th.

First, in the education, childcare, and family sectors, the foundation of child and adolescent sexual protection policies will be strengthened, including reclassifying children and adolescents involved in prostitution from 'target children and adolescents' to 'victimized children and adolescents.' These victims will no longer be subject to protective dispositions under the Juvenile Act but will receive legal protection through victim support centers for children and adolescents. Furthermore, the scope of offenders subject to disclosure and notification of personal information will expand from sexual violence offenders against children and adolescents to all sexual offenders against children and adolescents. Accordingly, those involved in prostitution or crimes related to child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials will also be subject to orders for disclosure and notification of their personal information.

September 1, 'Yeogwontongmun Day,' will also be designated as a legal memorial day for the first time. Yeogwontongmun Day commemorates September 1, 1898, the date of Korea's first women's rights declaration. At that time, in Bukchon, Seoul, a women's rights declaration was announced, advocating for modern women's rights such as the right to education, employment, and suffrage.

In the defense and military service sectors, the scope of various supports will be expanded. Since the 11th, with the enforcement of the Military Injury Compensation Act, the state's responsibility for injuries, illnesses, and deaths during military service has been strengthened. Compensation for general disabilities of soldiers has been raised from the current individual standard monthly income (approximately 2.26 million KRW in 2020) to the average monthly income of all public officials (5.39 million KRW in 2020). For death compensation of those killed in action, the amount has increased from 57.7 times to 60 times the average monthly income of all public officials. Special duty death insurance has been raised from 44.2 times to 45 times, and general duty death insurance from 23.4 times the individual standard monthly income to 24 times the average monthly income of all public officials. The payment rate for survivor pensions has been unified at 43%, and a new survivor addition system has been introduced, adding 5% per survivor up to a maximum of 20%. This has been in effect since December 10 of last year.

Additionally, patients with severe and intractable diseases developed during military service can receive discounted medical treatment at veterans' entrusted hospitals. Upon the revision of the 'Act on Support for Veterans' Enforcement Decree' on September 25, discounted treatment will be available at six national veterans' hospitals and 322 veterans' entrusted hospitals nationwide.

From July, the enlistment dates and units for active-duty soldiers for the following year, previously announced in December, will be notified six months in advance. This change addresses concerns that recruits enlisting in January and February had insufficient time to prepare and faced difficulties managing academic or employment schedules.

A pension division system will also be implemented to split military pensions with spouses divorced from soldiers. The retirement pension corresponding to the actual marriage period during military service (excluding periods of separation or absence) will be equally divided and paid. Eligibility requires a minimum of five years of actual marriage during service and divorce from the spouse. This applies to divorces occurring after June 11 of this year.

Residents in noise-affected areas near military airfields or shooting ranges will be eligible for compensation for noise damage. Previously, no compensation system existed for noise damage, requiring lawsuits and court rulings. However, since noise impact surveys are necessary for compensation payments until the second half of next year, compensation payments will begin in 2022.

Furthermore, military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and public officials can register as national merit recipients six months before discharge (retirement), preventing interruption of state support. This will take effect from September 25.

To minimize damage caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), low-interest loans will be provided for idle defense industry facilities. Idle defense industry facilities refer to production facilities for wartime mobilization items and defense materials owned by defense companies that have ceased operation or operate at 40% or less capacity. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration will cover up to 87.5% of interest for up to seven years.