From the New Year, Sergeant Monthly Pay 1.25 Million Won... 250,000 Won Increase from This Year

Increase in Short-Term Service Allowance for Junior Officers and Expansion of Housing Allowance Eligibility

Starting from the new year, soldiers' monthly pay will increase from 1,000,000 KRW to 1,250,000 KRW for the rank of Byeongjang, and from 600,000 KRW to 640,000 KRW for the rank of Ibyeong.

On the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense announced its major tasks for 2024, including this pay increase. According to the announcement, as a fair recognition and compensation for fulfilling military service obligations, the Ministry will raise the monthly pay for soldiers to 1,250,000 KRW for the rank of Byeongjang starting January next year. The pay by rank is set so that the increase amount grows as the rank rises, considering factors such as proficiency and mission difficulty.

The appearance of ROK Armed Forces soldiers conducting integrated defense training for post-management after a nuclear attack.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, the pay for Ibyeong will increase from the current 600,000 KRW to 640,000 KRW next year, Ilbyeong from 680,000 KRW to 800,000 KRW, and Sangbyeong from 800,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW. Soldier pay is planned to be gradually increased to 1,500,000 KRW for the rank of Byeongjang by 2025.

The Ministry of National Defense also decided to raise the government support for the Soldiers' Tomorrow Savings Plan, which helps soldiers prepare a lump sum upon discharge, from a maximum of 300,000 KRW per month to 400,000 KRW. Additionally, the short-term service incentive for officers will be increased from 9,000,000 KRW this year to 12,000,000 KRW, and the short-term service incentive allowance for non-commissioned officers will be raised from 7,500,000 KRW to 10,000,000 KRW. The housing allowance will also be expanded to include junior officers with less than three years of service.

Police-type sweaters, which were previously supplied only to existing officers, will be distributed to all enlisted soldiers starting in January to improve winter living conditions. The purpose is to guarantee winter living conditions and enhance soldier satisfaction by providing police-type sweaters to soldiers as well. The Ministry of National Defense stated, "We are reasonably improving soldiers' treatment, service conditions, and living conditions such as medical care, food, and housing to create a future-generation military environment and realize a country where military service is a source of pride."