Put on hold Despite an impeachment trial and an inquiry into his disastrous proclamation of martial law, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive a scheduled wage increase, according to official documents released Monday.
On December 3, South Korea entered its biggest political crisis in decades when Yoon suspended civilian government and sent soldiers into parliament. Hours later, he had to turn around.
In addition to facing an insurrection probe with detectives attempting to detain him for interrogation, he has been impeached by parliament and is awaiting a final Constitutional Court decision that could definitively remove him from office.
The 2025 civil servant wage chart, however, shows that Yoon received a raise despite continuing to evade arrest by hiding out in the presidential palace with his security detail.
According to a Ministry of Personnel Management document obtained by AFP on Monday, Yoon’s pay will increase by 3% from the previous year to 262.6 million won ($178,400).
Yoon is only suspended from office since the Constitutional Court is currently considering the impeachment motion; as a result, he will continue to hold the office of president and be eligible to receive his salary and security benefits.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, his acting president and now suspended from office after being impeached, will also get a three percent pay increase to 203.5 million ($138,350).
It makes me furious. On the social media site X, a user posted, “He’s (Yoon) getting paid for doing nothing.” The remark swiftly gained widespread attention.
After a heated, hours-long confrontation this month, Yoon’s presidential guard unit prevented an effort to arrest him, and he has refused to meet with investigators and prosecutors looking into his proclamation of martial law.
Investigators are getting ready to make another arrest.
Since the start of the crisis, rival demonstrations for and against Yoon have taken place in the South Korean capital virtually every day.
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