In a twist of bureaucratic irony, South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive a salary increase despite his embroilment in an impeachment trial and a separate investigation into his controversial declaration of martial law. On December 3, 2024, Yoon made headlines by suspending civilian rule, a move that saw military forces surrounding the parliament, igniting the nation’s most profound political crisis since its return to democracy. The backlash was swift, and within hours, Yoon had to retract his decree.
Currently, Yoon is in a state of suspension, awaiting the Constitutional Court‘s final verdict on his impeachment. This judicial process has put his presidency on hold, but it hasn’t halted his paycheck. According to documents from the Ministry of Personnel Management reviewed on Monday, Yoon’s salary is scheduled to increase by three percent, bringing his annual earnings to 262.6 million won (approximately $178,400). This raise aligns with the standard civil servant salary adjustment for 2025, showcasing an administrative continuity that contrasts sharply with the political upheaval.
This salary increment has not gone unnoticed or without criticism. One particularly viral post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) expressed public frustration: “It makes my blood boil. He’s (Yoon) getting paid for doing nothing.” This sentiment reflects a broader public discontent with the situation where a leader, accused of undermining democratic norms, continues to enjoy state benefits while his fate hangs in the balance.
Adding to the complexity, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has stepped in as acting president and was himself impeached, will also see his salary increase by three percent to 203.5 million won ($138,350). This scenario underscores the peculiarity of South Korean law where even officials under suspension or legal scrutiny maintain their entitlements unless formally removed by the court.
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