Pyeongchang County to Significantly Raise Veterans' Allowances... Spouse Allowance for War Veterans to Quadruple

Pyeongchang County in Gangwon Province will significantly increase allowances related to veterans' benefits starting in 2026, in order to honor the dignity of national merit recipients who have served the country and to support their stable livelihoods.

Pyeongchang County Office building. Provided by Pyeongchang County

This increase will apply to the "Veterans Honor Allowance" and the "Spouse Allowance for War Veterans."

The Veterans Honor Allowance will be raised by 50,000 won, from the current 250,000 won per month to 300,000 won. In particular, the Spouse Allowance for War Veterans, which had previously provided relatively little support, will be dramatically increased by 150,000 won, from 50,000 won per month to 200,000 won.

To provide substantial recognition for veterans' families, Pyeongchang County revised the "Ordinance on the Recognition and Support of National Merit Recipients in Pyeongchang County" in December 2025, establishing a legal basis for the changes. The county has also secured a total budget of 2.8 billion won for related expenditures in 2026.

In addition, the Veterans Honor Allowance (60,000 won per month) and the War Participation Honor Allowance (60,000 won per month) provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province will continue to be offered in parallel, further strengthening the economic benefits for veterans in Pyeongchang County.

Furthermore, the county will invest 115 million won in 2025 to reinstall the aging flame monument at the Memorial Tower and to improve the surroundings of veterans' memorial facilities such as the War Memorial Tower, thereby reinforcing the symbolic significance of these sites.

To address gaps in veterans' welfare, the county also conducts a comprehensive survey twice a year in cooperation with the Gangwon Eastern Regional Veterans Affairs Office to ensure that no eligible recipients are left out. Through these efforts, Pyeongchang County is establishing a robust safety net to honor national merit recipients.

Yoo Hyangmi, Director of Welfare Policy at Pyeongchang County, stated, "Pyeongchang County will continue to do its utmost to foster a social atmosphere in which national merit recipients feel pride and are respected, including through the increase in allowances."