A basic pension that burns 300,000 won per month for Cho Doo-shun, and 0 won for Vietnam veterans

Cho Doo-soon (68), who was released after serving 12 years in prison on charges of sexual assault against a child, is on the morning of December 12, last year, moving to the Ansan Compliance Support Center for administrative procedures. News 1

Some people are more shocked by the fact that Jo Doo-soon (68), a child sex offender, receives a monthly welfare benefit of about 1.2 million won including the basic pension. Among the more than 600,000 people of national merit in the Republic of Korea, these are those who do not receive a basic pension. They are complaining, saying, “The courtesy of giving their bodies for the country is a reality that even criminals cannot.”

At a commemorative event held at the hangar of Seoul Airport in Gyeonggi-do on the evening of June 25 last year, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, President Moon Jae-in and his family are offering a wreath and incense to the 147 lords of the patriots who returned to their country. [청와대사진기자단]

Jeon Mo, 71, a veteran of the Vietnam War, lost his hearing in one side of the war. Chun, who managed to step on the land of his homeland with barely saved his life in various battles, was judged as a second-class military policeman. However, Chun does not receive a basic pension. This is because they are receiving veteran benefits from the National Veterans Affairs Office. Mr. Jeon said, “The compensation money of the military officers and policemen is compensation for the disability of the disabled, which was obtained through sacrifices for the state. ”And burst into anger.

The basic pension, which Doo-soon Cho receives at a monthly rate of 300,000 won, is given to those aged 65 or older whose income-recognized sum of income and property falls within the bottom 70%. As of 2021, the monthly income recognized for a basic pension is 1.69 million won or less for single households and 2.7 million won or less for couples. Ansan City explained that couples Cho Doo-soon, who do not have any other income and have no housing assets, are naturally eligible for basic pension in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Depending on the degree of achievement or injury, national merit will receive a differential payment (as of 2021) from a minimum of 340,000 won to a maximum of 8.5 million won as a veteran benefit. However, since veteran benefits are included in the’recognized income amount’ that determines whether or not to pay the basic pension, it is difficult to receive both veterans benefits and basic pensions. If you have a lot of veterans benefits due to great achievements or severe injuries, you will not be able to receive a single penny of the basic pension due to the higher income recognized.

Among those of merit with a low dissimilar military and police level, there are cases of receiving a lower basic pension than Cho Doo-soon. Choi Jung-ho (78), a national merit who lives with his wife in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do, is equivalent to Level 6, and receives 1.75 million won in veterans’ salary per month. Choi’s basic pension this year is 240,000 won, which is 60,000 won less than Cho Doo-soon. This is because, in order to prevent income reversal, the basic pension is partially reduced if the income is high. Choi said, “Isn’t it unreasonable for those who took the lead for the country to not receive the basic pension that criminals also receive?”

President Moon Jae-in is greeting at a luncheon inviting national merit and veterans families at the Blue House Guest House on the afternoon of September 4, 2019. [청와대사진기자단]

Last year, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs introduced the’selective waiver of veterans’ benefits’ and was beaten by the national merit. This was to allow some of the national merit to drop out of the medical benefits provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare or various support policies of local governments due to the relatively large amount of veteran benefits, so that some of the veterans benefits could be selectively abandoned.

“The National Veterans Affairs Office is forcing the giving up of the courtesy that the national merit deserves, without intending to make any effort to exclude income recognition for the veteran benefits,” said Roh Yong-hwan, the representative of the group that loves people of national merit. To give up the veterans’ benefits is a violation of the rights and honors of those of merit.”

The National Assembly tried to improve the system to solve this problem. In June of last year, Rep. Kim Jung-jae of the People’s Power proposed the’basic pension law partial amendment bill’ that excludes veteran benefits of national merit from the basic pension income recognition amount. Rep. Kim pointed out, “The problem of national merit’s inability to receive basic pensions due to veteran benefits is not consistent with the purpose of introducing veterans benefits to provide compensation to those who have sacrificed for the country.”

However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, “The Constitutional Court decided that including compensation in the basic pension income recognition amount did not infringe on the rights of persons of national merit.” It is excluded.”

Reporter Garam Lee [email protected]