GP Duty Second Lieutenant Earns 50 Million Won, Sergeant Earns 49 Million Won Annually

Goal for 2027, Byungjang to Receive 1.5 Million Won in 2025

The Ministry of National Defense has set a goal to raise the annual salary of second lieutenants serving in frontline units to 50 million won by 2027. Currently, the total income for a second lieutenant, including base pay, allowances, and duty pay, is around 39 million won.

Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense announced the '2023-2027 Basic Plan for Military Welfare,' which outlines welfare policies for soldiers over the next five years. Based on the first pay grade, the annual salary for second lieutenants and sergeants in regular units will increase by 14-15% compared to this year, while those in frontline guard units will see a 28-30% rise during the same period. According to this, the pay for junior officers is planned to be raised to the level of mid-sized companies by 2027.

This appears to be a measure to overcome the decline in junior officer recruitment caused by the lack of guaranteed monthly pay or living conditions proportional to the length of service.

The monthly salary for sergeants will increase to 1.5 million won by 2025. Including government subsidies under the 'Asset Formation Program,' soldiers can receive up to 2.05 million won. The Asset Formation Program is a system where soldiers save a portion of their monthly salary, and the government matches 100% of the principal amount. Starting in 2025, the monthly deposit limit will increase from 400,000 won to 550,000 won.

The Ministry of National Defense explained, "If a soldier enlisting in the Army in 2025 consistently deposits 550,000 won per month during the 18-month service period, they can accumulate 20 million won by discharge, including government subsidies and interest (5% annually)."

The Basic Plan for Military Welfare announced on this day is a fundamental document prepared every five years based on the 'Military Welfare Basic Act.'

Looking specifically at this plan, the annual salary for second lieutenants serving in regular units is 33.93 million won this year and will increase by 15% to 39.1 million won by 2027.

Sergeants in regular units will see their annual salary rise from 32.96 million won this year to 37.61 million won in 2027, a 14% increase. These figures include base pay, allowances, and duty pay.

Guard units such as GP (frontline observation posts) and GOP (general outposts) will see salaries increase twice as much as regular units. The annual salary for second lieutenants will rise 30% from 38.56 million won this year to 49.9 million won, and for sergeants, it will increase 28% from 38.17 million won this year to 49.04 million won in 2027.

The government subsidy calculation method for the 'Soldier Tomorrow Preparation Savings,' which was previously complicated, will be simplified from next year to provide 100% of the deposited principal as a government subsidy.

Additionally, the 'Tomorrow Learning Card' issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which is currently only available to soldiers with long-term service who are about to be discharged, will be expanded to include soldiers in phased service.