South Korea's government said suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol will receive an annual salary increase despite being accused of briefly subjecting the country to martial law.
Yoon's salary will increase by 3% to 262.6 million won ($179,000, £147,000), in line with standards for government officials.
Since his impeachment in December, Yoon has resisted attempts to investigate and arrest him on charges of rebellion and abuse of power, exacerbating political unrest in the country.
While suspended from his duties, Yoon will remain in office until South Korea's Constitutional Court upholds his conviction.
Yoon cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea to justify declaring martial law. However, it soon became clear that his move was not motivated by external threats, but rather by his internal political problems.
News of Yoon's salary increase has sparked criticism among South Koreans, some of whom say they cannot believe he is still getting paid – let alone getting a raise – while suspended.
Some on social media pointed out that Yoon's 3% salary increase is almost double the increase in the country's minimum wage.
“The minimum wage went up 1.7% while Yoon got 3% for what?” reads a post on X that has garnered thousands of likes.
Earlier this month, Yoon Security And prevent investigators from accessing him At the presidential residence. The impasse saw the initial arrest warrant expire at midnight on January 7, but was extended by a local court.
Investigators are preparing another attempt to arrest Yoon and have requested assistance from the police.
Authorities said on Monday that any attempt to arrest Yoon would ensure “no injuries or bloodshed” would be avoided. They also warned that security personnel and lawmakers could be arrested if they obstruct the arrest process.
Yoon's lawyers said that assigning police officers and investigators to arrest the president was a “betrayal of the public.” They claimed that the arrest warrant was “illegal.”
They also asked members of the arrest team not to wear a mask “to prevent rioters from breaking into a secret national site and impersonating police officers.”
In the capital, Seoul, thousands joined widespread protests, both in support of and against Yoon.
While his critics would like to see the ill-fated president impeached and arrested for trying to impose martial law, Yun's supporters see the short-lived martial law order as justified to protect South Korea's democracy.
Han Dak-soo, who became acting president after Yoon's impeachment but has since been removed by Parliament itself, will see his annual salary increase by 3% to 204 million won ($138,000, £114,000).
For comparison, the US president earns $400,000 (£329,000). Salary of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom About £172,000 ($209,000).
