The daily allowance for soldiers involved in clearing search routes in unidentified minefields within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has been revealed to be approximately 3,000 Korean won. The DMZ is estimated to contain around 2 million mines scattered since the Korean War, with North Korea having buried hundreds more south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) since 2024. Calls are growing for appropriate compensation for troops deployed in high-risk operations.
According to People Power Party Rep. Yu Yong-weon, the Army currently pays a ‘special area duty allowance’ of 90,000 Korean won per month (45,000 Korean won for enlisted soldiers) to reconnaissance battalion members and Army Engineer Hazardous Explosives Clearance Team (EHCT) personnel tasked with opening new search routes in the DMZ. This allowance is distinct from hazardous duty pay (120,000–220,000 Korean won per month, depending on rank), which applies to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit directly responsible for mine removal. However, reconnaissance battalion members and engineers overseeing route clearance are not eligible for hazardous duty pay.
On September 21, three individuals—including a reconnaissance battalion commander and two EHCT non-commissioned officers engaged in mine detection—were injured in a North Korean mine explosion within the DMZ. The Army has recommended to the Ministry of National Defense since 2024 that hazardous duty pay be extended to reconnaissance battalion personnel. However, no such recommendation has been made for EHCT engineers, who lead mine detection efforts. A military official stated, “The injury risks in DMZ mine detection operations are undeniably high, yet compensation remains absurdly inadequate.” The Army also reported a mine explosion injury case in November of last year.
Following the September 21 incident, the Ministry of National Defense announced plans to remove mines planted by North Korea south of the MDL. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul emphasized, “We will continue to remove them,” indicating increased troop deployments for future search operations in unidentified minefields. Rep. Yu criticized, “The outdated system that fails to guarantee even basic hazardous duty pay disregards soldiers’ dedication,” urging the swift establishment of a realistic compensation framework.
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