South Korea will give as much as one billion won in rewards to North Korean defectors who have important intelligence and knowledge about North Korea.

The amount represents a four-fold increase from the 250 million won maximum amount offered at present.

The Unification Ministry said on Sunday that it recently issued advance notice of a revision to the law on state support for North Korean defectors.

Currently, the law stipulates the unification minister may provide a certain amount of reward to North Korean defectors who have intelligence or equipment that helps enhance South Korea’s security.

Under the revision aimed at giving substantial monetary rewards to those North Koreans, rewards for equipment brought over by North Korean defectors will also sharply increase.

The reward money for people who come over on a military plane or vessel will be raised from 150 million won to one billion won.

Those that turn in tanks, armored vehicles and guided weapons can expect to get 300 million won in compensation, up from just 50 million won.

North Koreans who defect with small arms will get a max 50 million won from ten million won.