Salaries of high-ranking officials to be frozen

The government decided Tuesday to impose a freeze at this year's level on the salaries of 254 high-ranking officials, including civil servants at vice minister-level and above and employees of independent public agencies at first-class level and higher. In line with the move, budget outlays earmarked for pay rises will be returned to the state coffers in the form of voluntary contributions. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Lee

Han-Dong. Government Information Minister Oh Hong-Keun said the measure was meant as a sign of the administration's willingness to share the pain of the economic downturn and its determination to restore the nation's economic vitality. He added, however, that the pay freezes was not part of any effort to slash next year's budget bill, now under deliberation at the National Assembly. Oh's response was an indication that pay hikes for lower-level officials would remain intact.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com