In the future, if a public official dies while performing their duties and is posthumously promoted, the salary paid to their family will increase compared to before.
The Ministry of Personnel Innovation announced on the 8th that it plans to introduce a legislative notice for the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Public Officials Disaster Compensation Act, the Enforcement Decree of the Public Officials Pension Act, the Public Officials Appointment Act, and regulations concerning the appointment of research and guidance personnel.
According to the revision, the survivor's salary paid to the family of a public official who received a posthumous promotion will be calculated based on the 'promoted rank.' Previously, it was based on the 'rank before promotion,' but in the future, it will include the 'increase in salary considered due to posthumous promotion.' For example, if a firefighter who died in the line of duty is posthumously promoted to fire captain, the survivor's salary, which was previously calculated based on the firefighter's monthly income, will now be calculated based on the assumed monthly income of a fire captain.
The salaries subject to payment include ▲ occupational hazard death survivor's pension ▲ death survivor's pension ▲ compensation for death ▲ lump-sum retirement benefits for the family ▲ severance pay ▲ additional payments for retirement survivor's pension, totaling seven categories that families can receive.
The principle is that this will apply from the enforcement date, July 8th, to deaths or fatalities occurring after this date; however, the Ministry of Personnel Innovation plans to apply the same standards to families already receiving pensions and provide increased salaries.
To ensure a fair review of posthumous promotions, a 'Public Review Committee' will also be established. Previously, posthumous promotions were honorary measures to honor public officials who died in service and were decided at the discretion of the head of the respective organization. In the future, the decision on whether to posthumously promote a deceased public official will be reviewed by a public review committee that includes external individuals based on the relevant minister's decision.
Vice Minister Park Yong-joo noted, 'Posthumous promotions must relate to death or illness connected to public service, and exceptional merit during their tenure is required for them to take place,' adding, 'While posthumous promotions were previously just honorary measures, they will now relate to survivor's salaries, so we plan to operate them more fairly and rationally through the Public Review Committee.'
According to the Ministry of Personnel Innovation, the average number of individuals posthumously promoted is 28 per year. There are about 370 people who will be eligible for retroactive application of pensions, with an additional annual budget of around 1 billion won expected to be needed.