Promoted One Rank Posthumously, but Survivor Benefits Remain at Previous Rank... Yoon Says "Will Correct This"

Yoon Seok-yeol's Heart-Throbbing Pledge to Establish Practical Compensation Measures for the Chuseo System

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, pledged on the 25th to provide survivor pensions and other benefits to the families of war casualties and those who died in the line of duty according to their posthumous ranks. Currently, although there are measures such as a one-rank promotion in honor of their service, survivor allowances and other benefits are paid based on the rank prior to the promotion. He intends to improve this system.

On this day, through his "Seok-yeol's Heart-throbbing Pledge," Candidate Yoon stated, "We will supplement the formal posthumous promotion system for sacrifices and dedication to the nation and establish practical compensation measures." He added, "We will ensure that pensions, various salaries, and other honors for those posthumously promoted, such as war casualties and those who died in the line of duty, correspond appropriately to their promoted ranks," and "By supplementing the formal posthumous promotion system with practical compensation measures, we will guarantee an improvement in the honorable quality of life for the bereaved families."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to current law, for war casualties, those who died in the line of duty, and individuals with distinguished service during national emergencies such as combat, wartime, or incidents, a posthumous promotion system is operated that promotes them one rank regardless of the minimum service period required for promotion. However, despite the posthumous promotion, survivor pensions, allowances, and other benefits are paid based on the rank prior to the promotion. For example, Major Yoon Young-ha, who was the commander of the Chamsuri-class patrol boat during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, was posthumously promoted to Major, but his pension is paid based on the Captain rank.

Regarding this, Candidate Yoon's camp pointed out, "Separate from the posthumous honors for sacrifices made for the nation, providing compensation based on the rank prior to the posthumous promotion cannot be considered a true posthumous honor for the warriors who sacrificed for the country."