The Ministry of Personnel Management announced its key business plan for next year, outlining various policies aimed at reforming the public service. The plan focuses on promoting proactive administration, reforming the personnel system, establishing public ethics, and improving civil servants’ welfare.
The recruitment process for grade-9 civil servants will shift from a knowledge and memorization-based exam to the Public Service Aptitude Test (PSAT), which evaluates comprehensive thinking skills. A separate personnel management system will be introduced for highly specialized roles, and a new early promotion system for grade-5 positions will support rapid advancement of capable personnel. Plans also include establishing a National Recruitment Center in Sejong by 2030.
Regular inspections will be conducted on stock sales and blind trust arrangements of senior officials, with authority-based investigations launched for suspected violations of duty-related restrictions. The disciplinary statute of limitations for stalking and distribution of obscene materials will be extended to 10 years, and the property declaration system will require reporting of all real estate transactions, including leases. The Public Ethics Committee can exclude violators from duties or impose penalties.
Welfare improvements for junior and young civil servants include raising the starting salary for grade-9 positions to 3 million KRW by 2027, providing special paid leave, and introducing low-interest youth-specific loans. The ministry also plans to increase the proportion of female senior officials to 20% by 2030 and develop indicators to promote inclusive and balanced hiring.