Attention is focusing on a disclosure that a newly commissioned Navy sergeant's monthly salary is around 4 million won.
On the 18th, a video titled "If you serve on a Navy ship, does even a newly commissioned sergeant take home 4 million won after taxes? Full pay stub revealed" was posted on the Republic of Korea Navy's YouTube channel. In the video, economics YouTuber Syuka boarded the Second Fleet's combat ship Seoul and personally explained the pay system for junior officers.
Syuka said, "There's something that really surprised me today. The junior-most sergeant on Seoul. I looked at this month's pay stub for a step-2 sergeant, the lowest rank grade, and the base pay was marked at 2.35 million won," adding, "Overtime pay is 1.74 million won, and when you include ship-duty allowances and the additional charge, about 310,000 won is added for a total of 2.1 million won." He continued, "The allowances are almost similar to the base pay. Of course, since the time spent at sea is long, I think it's only natural there's compensation for that."
Adding it all up, the calculation shows that a newly commissioned sergeant who was commissioned last year could receive up to about 4 million won a month. However, that assumes the maximum in overtime pay, and the actual amount can vary by duty station and environment. In addition, holiday bonuses and performance bonuses are paid separately, and by using the "Long-term service leap savings" program, if you deposit 10.8 million won over three years, a government subsidy of 10.8 million won is added, allowing for a high rate of return.
Welfare benefits were also mentioned. Sergeant housing is provided as single-occupancy rooms, and reimbursement insurance support is also offered. After trying a meal aboard Seoul, Syuka said, "Given the grueling work environment, the food is very good." He added, "I hope the pay and welfare for Navy noncommissioned officers improve further so that the treatment of Navy NCOs who serve with a sense of duty and patriotism keeps rising."