By Lee Tae-hoon
The bereaved families of Sgt. Seo Jeong-woo and Pvt. Moon Gwang-wuk, who lost their lives in North Korea’s shelling on Yeonpyeong Island, will receive almost 200 million won ($174,100) in compensation from the government.
Under the Veterans’ Pension Act, the families of soldiers killed in action are entitled to immediate compensation worth the equivalent of six years salary of a major, who receives roughly 33.3 million won per year.
The bereaved will receive additional compensation of 930,000 won each month, as stated under the Veterans’ Entitlement Act, according to the Navy and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
The relatives of the two civilians found dead in Tuesday’s attack will likely receive around 100 million won each from Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, according to officials.
Insurance companies are mulling to what extent they should compensate victims of the artillery attack on the island in the West Sea as damage resulting from the North’s military attacks are mostly excluded from coverage.
Military and civic groups are planning to raise money for the families of the four victims.