South Korea's impeached president gets a pay rise

Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive a pay raise, official documents revealed on Monday, even as he faces impeachment and a probe into his martial law declaration.

According to the Ministry of Personnel Management, Yoon’s salary will increase by 3% to 262.6 million won ($178,400) in 2025.

Despite being suspended, Yoon retains his status as president while the Constitutional Court deliberates his impeachment, allowing him to draw his salary and security benefits.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the public. "He's getting paid for doing nothing," one viral post on social media platform X read, echoing widespread frustration.

Anti-Yoon protesters march during a protest against the impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near Gwanghwamun in Seoul, South Korea January 11, 2025.Reuters

Rival protests supporting and opposing Yoon have been held daily in Seoul since the crisis erupted.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting president and suspended, will receive a similar 3% raise, bringing his salary to 203.5 million won ($138,350).

Martial law declaration and standoff

Yoon is under investigation for declaring martial law on December 3, briefly suspending civilian rule, and deploying soldiers to parliament. Though the move was reversed within hours, it plunged the nation into its worst political crisis in decades.

Yoon has refused to cooperate with investigators, using his presidential guard to block a recent arrest attempt during a tense standoff. Prosecutors are reportedly preparing another attempt to detain him.

The final Constitutional Court ruling on Yoon's impeachment could seal his removal from office, intensifying the political uncertainty gripping South Korea.