KB News Desk
Civil servant pay may rise 3.9 percent next year, the biggest increase in 16 years, bringing the starting pay of the lowest-rank officials to above 3 million won ($2,200) a month, according to a proposed government budget for next year.
The Ministry of Planning and Budget said the Cabinet deliberated on next year’s spending proposal on Tuesday, keeping the pay hike above 3 percent for a third consecutive year, following 3.0 percent in 2025 and 3.5 percent in 2026.
Next year’s raise, if confirmed by the parliament, will be the highest since 2011, when civil servant pay rose 5.1 percent to catch up after a two-year freeze caused by the 2008 global financial crisis.
The hike would outstrip both next year’s minimum wage increase of 3.7 percent and the inflation forecasts of the government and the Bank of Korea, at around 2.2 percent.
The ministry explained that once the raise takes effect, first-year Grade 9 civil servants will receive around 3 million won a month, including base pay and allowances. Currently, they take home an average of 2.86 million won.
