What is a truly sound society? I think that a society, which compensates people for their efforts and sacrifices, is a sound society. There is a proverb "One beats the bush and another catches the birds."This shows that there are situations where the person who strives is not the one to benefit. In such cases, the person who does all the work might try to understand the situation and yield at first. However, if the situation repeats itself, a conflict or quarrel between the two people will clearly develop. The relationship between an individual and society is similar. A society which forces an individual to make sacrifices can't be a sound society. In this respect, we should compensate those who contribute to the nation for the sacrifices they make.

      Who is a national contributor? National contributors are the people and bereaved families who contribute to and make sacrifices for their nation; they are the patriots, the soldiers and policemen who were wounded during war and public service, the volunteer student soldiers, those injured during the April 19th revolution, the heroes of the May 18th movement for democratization, among others.

      How are national contributors compensated? Although it is different according to their classification, national contributors are generally given a basic pension, additional pension, living adjustment bonus, nursing bonus, financial compensation for death, provision for school expenses, provision for scholarships, exemption from tuition fees, protection of the rigth to education, employment protection, support for taking loans, free medical examinations, reduction of medical examination fees, free or discounted use of public transportation, exemption from paying radio or television receiving fees, exemption from military service and the Civil Defense Corps, and other benefits.
      Now you may think that the compensation is tremendous. However, appearances are deceptive. Actually, of the 0.7 million soldiers that have served, only about 18,000 of them are receiving 65,000 won a month as financial aid. The chart of pensions below shows the actual benefits situation in comparison with other countries.  
      
     

The families of those who have sacrificed for the nation are also suffering. For example, there is a family  head who has been treated in the hospital for the last 10 years. The family can't afford the medical fees with the money the government has given them. Everyday, the children take turns nursing him and earning money through part-time jobs. They are fighting daily with school expenses and the cost of living.

        Our nation must ensure rational benefits for national contributors. Currently, the benefits that national contributors are receiving are poorer than expected and the benefit's value is low. Developed countries like the U.S.A give a few major benefits to their national contributors. In contrast, Korea grants a lot of minor benefits. Korea scarcely guarantees benefits but rather gives small perks. I believe that most people agree with the need for a rational benefits system.

      Compensating national contributors is a problem which should not only be solved by The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. It is also problem which needs the attention of the nation. The nation as a whole should recognize and appreciate the contributions made by those who made sacrifices for their nation. Developed countries including the U.S.A regard the defense of the fatherland as the fundamental spirit of their nation. Americans respect the little heroes who make sacrifices for and contribute to their country. The heroes are celebrated by naming buildings and streets after them, by holding great ceremonies in their hometowns and alma maters, and by having the press headline stories about them. This quality is maybe one of the reasons the U.S.A is the strongest country in the world.

       The ancient Greek philosopher Plato said, "A man is born not only for himself but also for his nation." Plato emphasized the importance of loving one's

country and the spirit of sacrifice. From now on, we should recognize  national contributors and their bereaved families, serve them, and greet them warmly and openly. We should show our appreciation and respect for them by routinely visiting the national cemetery, which is the graveyard for deceased patriots and our war dead. We can humbly express our patriotism through such gestures.


 

 

 

 

By Kim Do-yeong
Cub-reporter
dreamer0206@cheju.ac.kr

 

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