South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will receive a 3% salary increase despite his impeachment following his brief imposition of martial law.
The government announced that Yoon’s salary would rise to 262.6 million won ($179,000; £147,000), in line with the standard for government officials, BBC reports.
Since his impeachment in December, Yoon has resisted efforts to investigate and arrest him for alleged insurrection and abuse of power, deepening the nation’s political turmoil.
While suspended, Yoon remains in office until South Korea’s constitutional court rules on his impeachment.
Initially, Yoon justified his martial law declaration by citing threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea.
However, it was soon revealed that his decision was motivated not by external threats, but by domestic political troubles.
The announcement of his salary increase has sparked criticism, with many South Koreans unable to comprehend why Yoon continues to receive pay – and a pay rise – while suspended.
Some on social media pointed out that the 3% increase in Yoon’s salary is nearly double the national minimum wage increase.
“Minimum wage increased by 1.7% while [Yoon gets] 3% for what?” reads a post on X, which has gained thousands of likes.
Earlier in January, Yoon’s security blocked investigators from reaching him at the presidential residence. The initial arrest warrant expired on 7 January, but a local court extended it.
Investigators are now preparing another attempt to arrest him and have asked for police assistance.
Authorities have assured that any arrest attempt will be made to avoid “any casualties or bloodshed” and have warned that lawmakers and security staff obstructing the arrest could face arrest themselves.
Yoon’s lawyers have called the police involvement a “betrayal of the public” and claimed the arrest warrant is “illegal.” They also demanded that arresting personnel not wear masks to avoid impersonation by rioters.
In Seoul, thousands have joined large-scale protests, both supporting and opposing Yoon.
Critics of Yoon are calling for his impeachment and arrest over his martial law declaration, while his supporters argue that his actions were necessary to protect South Korea’s democracy.
Meanwhile, Han Duck-soo, who briefly served as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment but was later impeached himself, will also see a 3% pay increase, raising his salary to 204 million won ($138,000; £114,000).
For context, the US president earns $400,000 (£329,000), while the UK Prime Minister’s salary is approximately £172,000 ($209,000).
