The South Korean Ministry of Personnel Management announced that a new amendment to the Public Officials Disaster Compensation Act was approved in a cabinet meeting on 24th. This amendment expands the recognition and compensation for public officials who are killed while performing dangerous duties for the state and the public, specifically those involved in anti-spy operations. Previously, this compensation was limited to police officers; the new law now extends this to all public officials who die in the line of duty under such circumstances.

The compensation amount has been set at 60 times the average monthly income of all public officials, significantly higher than the typical compensation for regular duty deaths, being approximately 3.4 billion won. In addition to this, the amendment includes provisions that recognize work supervision officers conducting investigations and arrests under serious punishment laws as engaged in dangerous duties. There will also be improvements in the veterans' benefits system, ensuring that even general public officials can be recognized as national heroes under the law, enabling their families to receive benefits and allowing for burials in national cemeteries without additional requirements.

Moreover, the amendment outlines responsibilities for disaster prevention, establishing that both the national and local governments, as well as the Ministry of Personnel Management, have obligations to ensure staff safety. It mandates that these organizations appoint health and safety officers to create and implement management regulations. With the changes set to take effect in different phases, the government expects this legislation to aid in creating a safer working environment for public officials and reduce gaps in disaster prevention within the public service sector.