Controversy in South Korea as impeached former president receives pay increase

Controversy erupted on Monday as the South Korean government confirmed that suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive a 3% pay rise, increasing his annual salary to 262.6 million won ($179,000; £147,000), despite being impeached for briefly placing the country under martial law.

The pay adjustment aligns with the standard annual increase for government officials, according to officials familiar with the matter. Critics have condemned the move as tone-deaf, given the political upheaval caused by Yoon’s impeachment in December.

Yoon faces allegations of insurrection and abuse of power after his controversial decision to impose martial law briefly, a move that many saw as a drastic overreach of executive authority. Since his impeachment, he has resisted multiple attempts by investigators to detain him, further intensifying the country’s political crisis.

The pay rise announcement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil rights groups.

“This is a slap in the face of democracy,” said a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea.

“Granting a pay increase to someone accused of undermining constitutional order is an insult to the people of South Korea.”

Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters argue that the salary adjustment is a procedural matter unrelated to the impeachment process.

“This is not a reward but a routine adjustment based on government regulations,” said a member of Yoon’s People Power Party.

“The president’s salary reflects his position, not the current situation.”

The decision comes amid growing public discontent over the political gridlock in Seoul. Large protests have erupted across the country, with demonstrators demanding accountability and transparency in government actions. The political crisis has also raised concerns about its impact on South Korea’s economy and international relations.

Legal experts note that while the pay rise is likely to be perceived as inappropriate, it is not illegal.

“There’s no provision in South Korean law that automatically suspends the president’s salary or benefits during impeachment proceedings,” explained Dr. Kim Hyun-jin, a constitutional law professor at Seoul National University.

The National Assembly is expected to debate potential legislative changes to address such situations, with several lawmakers proposing bills that would withhold pay for impeached officials until investigations are concluded.

As the nation awaits further developments, Yoon’s impeachment trial looms as a defining moment in South Korea’s political history. The Constitutional Court is set to begin hearings next month to decide whether to uphold the National Assembly’s impeachment vote, a decision that could permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him, further fueling the nation’s deep political divide.

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