Despite being embroiled in an impeachment trial and investigation over his controversial martial law declaration, suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive a scheduled salary increase, official documents revealed on Monday.
Yoon suspended civilian rule on December 3, sending troops into parliament and sparking the nation’s most severe political crisis in decades. After hours of chaos, he was forced to retract his actions. Lawmakers have since impeached him, and he is awaiting a ruling from the Constitutional Court, which could finalize his removal from office. In addition, he faces an investigation into possible insurrection, with authorities seeking to detain him for questioning.
However, despite the ongoing turmoil, Yoon will see his salary rise to 262.6 million won ($178,400) in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year, according to the civil servant salary table. As he remains holed up in the presidential residence, using his security detail to resist arrest, Yoon’s position as president is still intact, allowing him to retain his salary and security benefits during the impeachment proceedings.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is also suspended after being impeached, will receive a similar 3% pay raise, bringing his salary to 203.5 million won ($138,350).
The announcement has sparked outrage online, with one social media user writing, “It makes my blood boil. He’s (Yoon) getting paid for doing nothing.”
Yoon has refused to cooperate with the investigation into his martial law declaration, and his presidential guard unit blocked an arrest attempt earlier this month, resulting in a tense standoff. Authorities are preparing for another attempt to arrest him, as protests both for and against Yoon continue to erupt almost daily in Seoul.
