Government's treatment of war veterans under scrutiny

Korean War veterans pay silent tribute during a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Sunday. Yonhap

Monthly average allowance for veterans stands at just $70

By Jun Ji-hye

The treatment of war veterans by central and local governments has been called into question following news of a Korean War veteran stealing food due to his economic plight.

The veteran in his 80s was booked by police in Busan earlier this month for allegedly stealing several bottles of sesame oil, “jeotgal” (fermented fish) and other food products worth 83,000 won ($64) between April and May.

According to police, the veteran relied on government subsidies but evidently, it was not enough and, therefore, stole the food due to financial difficulty.

The issue has raised questions over whether the central and local governments have properly protected former soldiers who have risked their lives, fought and survived war.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Wednesday, since May 2003 it has paid a monthly allowance to Korean War and Vietnam War veterans over the age of 65. This year, that figure amounts to 390,000 won ― paid monthly.

In addition, 17 separate local governments across the country also pay an allowance to these war veterans, with the monthly average standing at just 92,000 won.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province pays the highest allowance of 220,000 won, followed by Sejong City at 150,000 won and Ulsan at 140,000 won.

North Jeolla Province pays the lowest allowance of just 20,000 won, while both South Jeolla Province and South Chungcheong Province pay 30,000 won. These figures are far below the average.

Four local governments including Gwangju and South Gyeongsang Province have differential rates of allowance, as they pay 50 percent to 78.6 percent less than original amounts to veterans under 80.

In addition, South Gyeongsang Province and North Gyeongsang Province pay Vietnam War veterans 50 percent to 58.3 percent less than the amounts paid to Korean War veterans.

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The total allowances that the veterans receive are widely considered insufficient unless they earn additional money from personal economic activities.

But according to the ministry, the average age of surviving Korean War veterans is 91, and that of surviving Vietnam War veterans is 76, most of whom are not economically active anymore.

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-shik said that the ministry will distribute guidelines to local governments to encourage those that pay less than the average to increase the amount.

“The ministry also advises some local governments, which have differential rates regarding an allowance in accordance with the type of veterans and their age, to abolish such a policy,” Park said.

Politicians have also joined a move to tackle the financial difficulties faced by war veterans.

Rep. Ahn Gyu-back of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea submitted a bill on Tuesday to clarify the liabilities that central and local governments should bear to guarantee the basic living requirements for war veterans.

The bill obligates the central and local governments to carry out programs to offer the veterans food, clothing and shelter that form the prerequisites of a dignified life, in addition to the payment of their respective allowances.

The bill calls for the patriots and veterans affairs minister to survey the living conditions faced by the veterans in order to collect information necessary to facilitate such programs.

“Treating war veterans with respect is directly related to the rise in national dignity,” Rep. Ahn said. “I hope Korea, which has stepped up as a big economy in the world, will fulfill that basic responsibility.”