TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) on Wednesday (June 11) raised concerns that a dramatic boost in military compensation could potentially squeeze other critical defense expenditures. The warning comes after Taiwan's parliament, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), approved a measure a day earlier granting approximately 150,000 active-duty volunteer soldiers a monthly allowance of NT$30,000 (about US$1,003) beginning Jan. 1, 2026 — a substantial NT$20,000 (about US$669) increase from current levels.
Koo urged Taiwan's parliament to consult with the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's cabinet) and the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) before implementing such significant budget increases. The defense chief emphasized the necessity of thoroughly examining funding sources before proceeding. Soldiers work very hard, and the ministry hopes for appropriate adjustments in their treatment, Koo remarked, noting that allowances for volunteer and combat troops had already been increased on April 1 following President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) directive, with additional adjustments for cyber warfare and electronic surveillance units implemented on June 1.
Koo emphasized the critical need to adhere to the Fiscal Discipline Act (財政紀律法) and established budget regulations to maintain transparency in funding sources while protecting essential operational expenses and military systems from budgetary shortfalls. The defense minister revealed that internal discussions would center on striking a delicate balance between various allowances and determining the ministry's budgetary capacity. The ministry plans to consider three main components: operational maintenance, military investment, and personnel maintenance, Koo explained, highlighting the complex financial considerations facing Taiwan's defense establishment.
The Ministry of National Defense implemented its initial salary adjustment plan in April, boosting monthly allowances by up to NT$15,000 (about US$502). The newly passed legislation, championed by the opposition Kuomintang party (KMT, 國民黨), significantly expands these benefits by standardizing the volunteer allowance at NT$30,000 (about US$1,003) while explicitly incorporating additional compensation for combat duty, remote or overseas service, and overtime responsibilities. This comprehensive package represents one of the most substantial military compensation increases in recent years. ◼