▲ Veterans Minister Kang Jung-ai speaks in her inauguration ceremony at the government complex in Sejong, 113 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 26, 2023. (Yonhap)

veterans minister-new year

Veterans minister vows to create culture of respect for those wearing uniforms

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's veterans minister vowed Tuesday to create a culture of respect for those in uniform protecting the public as she outlined major tasks for the ministry in the new year, her office said.

"Respecting and thanking those in uniform, who protect the daily lives of the people, is an important part of rewarding patriotism," Veterans Minister Kang Jung-ai said in her first New Year's message after taking office late last month. "I will work toward creating a developed culture in which heroes in uniform feel pride and are socially respected."

She also noted the ministry's other major tasks for the year, such as rationalizing the compensation system for people of distinguished service and expanding the country's medical infrastructure for veterans.

"(We) will strengthen the state's responsibilities for the devotion made by people of distinguished service and establish an economic safety net for them to live an honorable life," she said.

People of distinguished service, which includes soldiers and police officers wounded in action or in the line of duty, are currently eligible for state compensation, ranging from 568,000 won (US$438) to some 6 million won a month, excluding other benefits, according to the ministry.

As of last November, there had been 678 hospitals across the country that offered services for people of distinguished service, in addition to the country's six veterans hospitals. The ministry plans to increase the number of such hospitals to 1,140 by 2027.

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