Air force pilots to receive extra payment

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- The military is seeking to increase financial benefits
for air force pilots to slow an exodus of servicemembers to major airlines
offering higher wages, defense officials said Tuesday.
Under newly revised regulations, air force pilots who have been in the service
for more than 16 years will receive an extra 1 million won, or US$863, every
month, the defense ministry said in a press release.
A growing number of pilots in the military are moving to private airlines after
completing the 15 years of mandatory training due to the modest pay offered by
the military.
It costs more than 12 billion won to train one skilled pilot, according to the
ministry.
The defense ministry will make public a notice concerning the revision later
Tuesday, and officially promulgate the rules next month. The revision will be put
in effect retroactively from Jan. 1 this year.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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