Despite having the financial capacity to pay over 5 million won in comprehensive income tax, the number of high-value long-term delinquents who have failed to pay national pension contributions for more than a year and owe over 200 million won has surged by 65% in two years, exceeding 46,000 individuals. This moral hazard is exacerbated by a collection rate that remains in the 10% range, increasing the frustration of compliant contributors and threatening the financial stability of the fund.
According to data submitted by Kim Kyo-hung, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, as of July this year, there are 45,985 individuals classified as high-value long-term delinquents, with their total delinquency amounting to 204.8 billion won.
The National Health Insurance Corporation established a special management category for high-income delinquents in 2024, targeting those who have been delinquent for 12 months or more or owe more than 200 million won while having a comprehensive income tax of over 5 million won.
High-Value Long-Term Delinquents Surge 65% in Two Years; Collection Rate at 10.6%
Although the special management category for high-value long-term delinquents was created in 2024 to prevent intentional delinquency, the number of delinquents and the total amount owed have ballooned. The number of high-value long-term delinquents rose from 27,923 in 2024 to 44,216 in 2025, and reached 45,985 by July this year, marking an increase of approximately 65% over two years.
In contrast, the collection performance is dismal. As of July this year, only 21.8 billion won has been collected from these delinquents, resulting in a collection rate of just 10.66% of the total delinquency amount of 204.8 billion won. This is only half of the average collection rate of 19.18% for all special management targets.
20 Years of Evasion and 50 Million Won Delinquency; Clear Moral Hazard
A closer look at the details of high-value long-term delinquents reveals a troubling pattern of intentional evasion. One individual in this category has not made a single pension payment for an astonishing 20 years (240 months), accumulating a debt of 36,351,180 won.
Additionally, the individual with the highest delinquency amount in this category has refused to pay for 155 months, totaling 50,319,720 won. Despite having the financial means to pay over 5 million won in income tax, the prevalence of intentional delinquency is alarming.
Total Special Management Delinquency Reaches 1 Trillion Won; Urgent Need for Stronger Collection Measures
Including high-value long-term delinquents, the overall situation among special management targets is even more severe. As of July this year, there are 262,266 individuals who have been delinquent for more than five months and owe over 1 million won, with their total delinquency amounting to 1.061 trillion won.
Notably, the delinquency amount for those classified under the 'comprehensive income' category, with an income of over 12 million won, is the highest at 565.5 billion won. Furthermore, the number of delinquents in the 'overseas travel' category, who have traveled abroad more than six times in the past three years, has tripled compared to 2022, reaching 39,803 individuals with a total delinquency of 98.2 billion won, indicating widespread moral hazard.
Kim Kyo-hung emphasized, "Society as a whole must prepare for retirement so that everyone can maintain a minimum standard of living in old age. We need effective collection measures for habitual delinquents to protect compliant contributors and enhance financial stability."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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