Veterans residing in Seosan, Asan, and Dangjin in South Chungcheong can receive a total of 1.05 million won monthly as a veterans honorarium. This amount includes the 450,000 won provided by the government and an additional 600,000 won given by local governments. However, in Jeonju and Iksan, North Jeolla, the stipend is about half that amount at 570,000 won, as the local government's support is only 120,000 won.
The support funds received by veterans who have devoted themselves to the nation vary depending on their place of residence. This has raised concerns over discriminatory treatment despite the similar contributions to the country. Kim Tae-yong (94), a veteran of the Korean War, said on the 6th, "The number of Korean War veterans is gradually decreasing, but many are suffering from financial difficulties." In response, local governments noted that their financial situation is not favorable.
◇Metropolitan governments provide up to 250,000 won monthly in Jeju; basic local governments in Seosan, Asan, and Dangjin provide 500,000 won
The veterans' stipend is provided to veterans aged 65 and older who participated in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and so forth, by both the government and local governments. This has been in effect since 2002 following the amendment of the Veterans Welfare Law. The stipend given by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs starts at 50,000 won per month and has steadily increased to 450,000 won this year, granted uniformly to all veterans.
In contrast, the stipends provided by local governments differ by region. This is further divided into stipends provided by metropolitan and basic local governments. Each local government sets its amounts based on its financial situation. For instance, stipends supported by the government are separate from what Seoul and each district provide monthly. Thus, even if residents live in the same city or province, the stipend may differ depending on the district.
Among metropolitan local governments, Jeju offers the highest support at 250,000 won per month, while North Jeolla provides the least at 40,000 won monthly. The rest include Seoul at 200,000 won, Gwangju at 155,000 won, Sejong at 150,000 won, Daegu and Ulsan at 140,000 won, Busan at 130,000 won, Gyeongnam at 120,000 won, and Incheon and South Chungcheong at 100,000 won. However, Jeju, Gwangju, and Sejong do not provide additional support from basic local governments.
Among basic local governments, Seosan, Asan, and Dangjin give the highest at 500,000 won per month. Some districts in Busan do not provide any additional payments. In this case, veterans in Busan receive 30,000 won more than those in South Chungcheong. However, without basic local government support, a gap of 470,000 won can occur.
◇Minimum stipend for veterans in Jeonju is 290,000 won with participation in senior employment
Veterans are reportedly using the stipends provided by the government and local governments as retirement funds. According to a survey conducted by the government in 2021 on the living conditions of veterans, the top means of preparing for retirement among Korean War veterans is the Veterans Benefits Payment, including participation stipends. This survey first started in 2018 and is conducted every three years, but results from last year have yet to be released.
The stipends for veterans residing in Jeonju and Iksan, North Jeolla, are the lowest in the country. It totals 570,000 won, including 450,000 won from the government, 40,000 won from North Jeolla, and 80,000 won from Jeonju and Iksan. Kim Tae-yong, vice president of the Jeonju branch of the Korean War Veterans Association, stated, "Among the veterans, there are about 10 who participate in government senior employment, working three days a week and earning 290,000 won monthly to cover living expenses."
The government is disclosing the status of stipend payments by local governments annually to reduce these disparities between local governments. This is intended to encourage local governments to raise veteran stipends considering their financial conditions. Last year, they were advised to implement payments of at least 80,000 won for basic local governments paying below that amount. Still, more than 50 out of over 200 local governments continue to pay below 80,000 won. A local official noted, "In regions with low fiscal independence, there's a reality where they cannot afford to allocate a budget."
◇"In the next five years, there will be almost no Korean War veterans"
In the meantime, the number of Korean War veterans is rapidly decreasing. In the 2000s, there were about 300,000, but it decreases by about 10,000 each year. As of April this year, the total number of veterans is 197,840, including 30,766 Korean War veterans, 166,115 Vietnam War veterans, and 959 veterans of both wars.
More than 90%, or 27,985 individuals, of the Korean War veterans are over 90 years old. In the case of Vietnam War veterans, 70% (115,058 individuals) are in their 70s. This pattern follows closely the timing of the Korean War, which broke out in 1950, and the Vietnam War, which started in 1964. A spokesperson from a Korean War veterans organization stated, "In the next five years, there will be no more Korean War veterans left," adding, "Soon, only descendants will remain." Another official remarked, "The central government must take action to reduce the disparities in stipends by region."