President approves bill to freeze and donate part of certain officials salaries

President Yoon Suk Yeol at a Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan presidential office on Tuesday [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol will donate 10 percent of his salary to those in need amid concerns over a global economic crisis and inflation.

In a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Yoon approved a bill to freeze the salaries of grade 4 officials and higher, and to donate 10 percent of their salaries.

Due to the salary freeze, President Yoon Seok Yeol will receive some 245 million won ($192,300) this year.

Prime Minister Han Duk-soo’s salary is set at 189 million won, with the deputy prime minister to receive some 143 million won and those at minister levels 139 million won.

The total amount of donation, which is expected to be around two billion won, will be used to support 400 households as part of a donation project organized by the Korean Association of Social Workers under the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

A total of 147 high-ranking officials will donate a part of their salaries.

The annual salaries of civil servants at grade 5 or lower will be raised by 1.7 percent this year.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, LEE BO-RAM [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]