SEOUL — The Korea Anti-Drug Headquarters is poised for a significant financial expansion as lawmakers move to bolster its operational framework amid rising national focus on drug prevention and rehabilitation.

The National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee’s Budget Settlement Sub-committee announced a proposed budget increase of over 1.3 billion won ($1.31 billion won explicitly for staff welfare) for the agency under the 2027 fiscal budget of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

During a review session held on the 12th, legislators agreed that enhancing the working environment and compensation for the headquarters' personnel is essential given their critical role in substance abuse prevention and social rehabilitation programs.

The approved amendment allocates 1.31 billion won primarily toward employee compensation and welfare upgrades. This includes 425 million won for mandatory statutory allowances, 464 million won for performance bonuses and incentive pay, 233 million won for social insurance contributions, 75 million won for retirement pension funds, and 113 million won for general employee welfare benefits.

In addition to staff-related improvements, the budget earmarks an extra 55 million won dedicated to facility safety. These funds will cover engineering, design, and administrative costs required to implement comprehensive seismic retrofitting for the headquarters building.

With the initial 2027 draft budget previously set at 17.81 billion won—up from this year's allocation of 17.067 billion won—the newly added funds will push total expected support past the 19 billion won threshold, pending final approval from the full Health and Welfare Committee.

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