The Ministry of Personnel Management announced its key business plan for next year, which includes reforms in civil service recruitment and personnel systems, strengthening ethics for senior officials, and revitalizing the public service environment. The plan involves transitioning the grade-9 recruitment exam to the Public Service Aptitude Test (PSAT), introducing early promotion for grade-5 officials, and expanding disciplinary time limits for stalking and distribution of obscene materials to up to 10 years.
To improve public service culture, the plan emphasizes proactive administration, accountability for senior officials, and enhanced protection and compensation for work-related injuries. It also includes establishing a leadership model for senior officials, introducing a ‘citizen participation panel’ for reviewing cases of public officials’ deaths in the line of duty, and strengthening systems for regular performance management and rewards.
Personnel system reforms include converting the grade-9 exam to PSAT, introducing early promotion for grade-5 officials, and expanding special recruitment positions up to grade-6. A permanent performance management system will be established, and a National Recruitment Center in Sejong will be built by 2030. Incentives for field workers and award-winning officials will also be provided.
To strengthen ethics among senior officials, the plan introduces regular inspections of stock transactions and disqualification from related duties, along with a ‘Stock Blind Trust Reporting Center’. Disciplinary time limits for misconduct are extended, and real estate transaction reporting is mandated for asset disclosure subjects. A Real Estate Fair Reporting Center will also be established to ensure transparency and restore public trust.