Plan to Raise Public Health Doctor Stipend by 450,000 Won Next Year... Cap Increased to 2.25 Million Won

Ministry of Health and Welfare Requests Local Governments
to Prepare for Increased Work Activity Incentive Allowance
Monthly cap to rise by 450,000 won from next year

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is pushing to raise the monthly cap of the Work Activity Incentive Allowance, one of the stipends paid to improve the treatment of public health doctors, by 450,000 won starting next year.

According to the government on September 8, the Ministry of Health and Welfare sent an official letter to local governments nationwide on September 4, titled "Notice of 2026 Public Health Doctor Stipend Increase Plan and Request for Securing Funding."

In the letter, the ministry stated, "To improve the treatment of public health doctors and strengthen rewards for those who serve faithfully, we plan to reflect an increase in the Work Activity Incentive Allowance when revising next year's guidelines," and requested, "Please prepare to ensure smooth payment of the allowance, including reflecting it in next year's personnel expenses."

The Work Activity Incentive Allowance is an amount paid autonomously by each local government, in addition to the basic salary provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, depending on their budget. It is paid differentially based on factors such as the volume of medical services and research achievements. The current monthly cap for this allowance is 1.8 million won, and the ministry plans to increase it to 2.25 million won.

Previously, the Korean Association of Public Health Doctors and other medical organizations have argued for an increase, noting that the Work Activity Incentive Allowance, intended to boost the motivation of public health doctors, has been frozen for the past seven years.