Daejeon elementary school student murderer teacher will receive a lifelong government pension of 1 million won per month

It has been confirmed that Mr. A, a teacher in his 40s who murdered an elementary school student in Daejeon, will receive lifelong public servant pension benefits. Despite committing a crime that warrants dismissal, he is eligible to receive half of his pension, leading to concerns about pension entitlement rights.

Disciplinary actions for civil servants and school staff are divided into reprimand, salary reduction, suspension, demotion, dismissal, and removal. Unlike dismissal, which only revokes qualifications, removal also reduces retirement benefits and severance pay. If employed for less than five years, the reduction is 25%, and if five years or more, it is 50%.

 

As of 2023, the number of public officials who have been dismissed is 81.

 

A representative from the Public Officials Pension Service stated to Newsis, "There are no provisions in the National Pension to restrict pension benefits due to crimes, but in the case of public officials, such laws are in place to enforce dignity and duty of fidelity."

 

Teacher A, who has been in the teaching profession for 20 years, is estimated to receive a lifelong monthly pension of approximately 1 million won after the age of 65.

There are suggestions that measures such as deprivation are necessary.

According to researcher Yoon Seok-myeong from the Pension Research Society, unlike the National Pension, which will see its income replacement rate drop to 40% in 2028, South Korea's civil servant pension system requires a contribution of 18% (9% from the government and 9% from individuals) and guarantees an income replacement rate of 68%.

 

The pension payout rate for Finnish civil servants who successfully reformed their pension system is 1.5%, with an income replacement rate of 60%. Finnish civil servants contribute over 28% in insurance premiums. In contrast, the burden level of South Korea's civil servant pension is significantly lower than this.

 

Based on a very conservative calculation using Mr. A's age, the starting age as a public official, the teacher's salary, and the recent increase in contribution rate to 9%, if the monthly salary is 4 million won, the total contribution over 20 years is 86.4 million won; if it is 5 million won, the total is 108 million won; and if it is 6 million won, the total is 129 million won.

 

If it is 7 years, 9 years, and 11 years respectively, the period for receiving benefits equal to the contributions has ended. Considering that the average lifespan of women is 85 years, Mr. A can enjoy a pension life exceeding his contributions for 13 years, 11 years, and 9 years.

 

Thanks to this public servant pension structure, Mr. A can commit a serious crime and still receive a pension guaranteed by the state.

 

There are criticisms that the Public Officials Pension Act should be amended to revoke pension rights for public officials involved in serious crimes.

 

Under the Public Officials Pension Act, only when a person commits treason or insurrection under the Criminal Act, or rebellion, treason, or is convicted of imprisonment or higher under the Military Criminal Act or the National Security Act, can they receive a refund of the total contributions paid plus interest. Otherwise, they can receive 50% of their pension for life.

 

 

An anonymous pension researcher told Newsis, "Public servant pensions are fundamentally structured to receive too much compared to contributions, especially when compared to the National Pension, and there is a need to revoke the pensions of public officials who commit serious crimes like this incident."

 

 

On the afternoon of the 10th, Mr. A attacked and killed Sky Yang, who was returning home after class at an elementary school in Daejeon, with a weapon. It is reported that he lured Sky Yang into the audiovisual room claiming he would give her a book before committing the act. The weapon was identified as having been purchased at a supermarket on the same day.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. A is also reported to have received his salary for this month.

 

According to the Ministry of Education and Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education, teacher Mr. My, the suspect in the murder case, was suspended from his position immediately after the incident, but he will continue to receive his salary, family allowances, and other benefits on the scheduled payday, the 17th. The salary will be reduced proportionally until the disciplinary action by the education office is finalized, but payments will continue during that period.

 

According to the civil servant compensation regulations, 50% of the salary is paid when dismissed from a position. In Mr. Myung's case, normal wages are calculated for the days he worked normally from February 1 to 9, and from the 10th, when the incident occurred, he is in a dismissed status and only receives half of the salary. Various allowances are also paid at 50%. Afterward, 50% of the salary is paid for three months, and starting from May 10, the amount is reduced to 30%.

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It's like a government official's iron rice bowl. 😢