In regard to the media coverage of “Falsely Issued Pension Pending”, the Ministry of National Defense has provided the following explanation today (22nd): 
1.Investigation shows that there are 53 members in the 1997 and 1998 class who have applied to be discharged in July 2018, however, the discharge procedure handled by the Ministry of National Defense and each military command headquarter must be approved 45 days before the date of discharge according to the regulations, and veteran withdrawal must be approved in May, hence each military command headquarter follows the “Act of Military Service for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces” that has been implemented since January 1st 1997 and combines the seniority from the old system of the military school to approve an one-off compensation across seniority from the old and new pension systems; all procedures are conducted in accordance with the regulations, and there have been no falsely issued pension. 

2.Since the amendment of the Act of Military Service for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces on June 23rd 2018, article 47 of such act has stated that the one-off compensation is calculated according to the service time, and the seniority of military school will not be combined with the active years of service; as the 53 members began their service after the new pension system was implemented on January 1st 1997, they do not have the seniority across the old and new pension system and are not eligible to collect the one-off compensation. Furthermore, the discharge time is depended on personal preferences and is conducted after the amendment, therefore, each military command headquarter administers according to the law and has sent letters to the 53 members respectively to notify them to return the one-off compensation. 

3.Since the amendment of the Act of Military Service for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces, as the service time for those who were in classes between 1997 and 2000 and have applied for discharge began after the new pension system implemented on January 1st 1997, they are not eligible to collect the one-off compensation; however, article 23 of the Act of Military Service for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces has stated that those who discharge after the amendment of this act can convert their seniority into their retirement pension subsequent to their seniority of military school being deducted after paying for the pension fund, and their retirement pension will be calculated according to the regulation of 55% + 2%. Each military command headquarter continues to process payback procedure as of now. 

4.The payback of one-off compensation is implemented by the paying agency council, and the council for this case began proceeding in accordance with the law straight after receiving the correction letter from each military command headquarter. Among the 53 members in this case, 52 of them have been notified domestically and have cooperated with the follow-up procedure, and the 1 remaining member did not receive the notification as he was out of the country, although the misunderstanding has been explained and cleared with the thorough explanation of the specialist. Should there be any questions regarding the one-off compensation or the amendment of the Act of Military Service for Officers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces please contact the following numbers and the relevant unit will provide a thorough explanation. 

Ministry of National Defense: 02-23116117 extension 637120-23
Army Command Headquarters: 03-4792111 extension 339256-60
Navy Command Headquarters: 02-25333181 extension 682918-20
Air Force Command Headquarters: 02-25321610 extension 674166-69