Gov't aims to install air conditioners in all military dorms

South Korea's finance minister on Wednesday said the government plans to install air conditioners in all military barracks and police dormitories, adding it will allocate more funds toward improving conditions at such facilities.

Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said the government has allocated 63 billion won ($56.2 million) of next year's budget to installing some 30,000 air conditioners for the welfare of its soldiers and police officers who are serving their mandatory duties to defend the country.

Currently, all able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 35 must serve in the military for about two years.

Yoo added it will also replace 180 police buses to improve their air conditioning systems.

The government, meanwhile, will also increase the amount of monthly pensions to 2.5 million war veterans. Under the plan, the veterans of the Korean and Vietnamese Wars will receive 220,000 won every month next year, up from the previous 200,000 won.

The ruling Saenuri Party said the amount exceeds President Park Geun-hye's earlier pledge of 190,000 won.

The amount of funds allocated to prevent illegal Chinese fishing boats operating in South Korean waters will soar fivefold to 10 billion won in 2017 from this year's 2 billion won, it added.

A rising number of South Korean fishing boats filed complaints against illegal Chinese operators emerging as a major threat to their livelihoods.

The government will also spend 50 billion won in generating more jobs for elderly citizens. For single parents, the government plans to give 120,000 won subsidies every month, up from this year's 100,000 won.

Following the anti-graft law that takes effect in September, the government will also expand support to the agricultural industries and recoup potential losses.

Slated to go into effect on Sept. 28, the law is designed to bring more transparency among public officials, journalists and private school faculty. The law makes it illegal to accept meals exceeding 30,000 won, presents in excess of 50,000 won and money for congratulations or condolences of over 100,000 won.

Local farmers claimed that the law will hurt their profits as people will be no longer exchange high-priced agricultural goods during holidays.

"The combined budget (for 2017) will increase by 3.7 percent," a Saenuri official said, adding the fund allocated to create jobs will also increase 10 percent from this year's 2.3 trillion won.

Policy watchers said the budget for next year is estimated at 400.7 trillion won, marking the first time that the total has gone over the 400-trillion won mark.

The amount, however, may be cut after it is examined by lawmakers, they added.  (Yonhap)