The 2025 Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation in South Korea, jointly conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, aims to improve the quality of public service across administrative agencies. Since its introduction in 2016, this annual evaluation has become a cornerstone for measuring and enhancing civil service delivery. The evaluation covers a wide range of agencies, including central government bodies, local governments, and educational offices. Its primary purpose is to identify best practices, reward excellence, and provide targeted support for agencies needing improvement.
This year, 308 administrative agencies were assessed, including 48 central agencies, 243 local governments, and 17 educational offices. Thirty-two agencies, representing the top 10%, were recognized as outstanding, such as the Rural Development Administration, Daegu Metropolitan City, Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province, Jindo County in Jeollanam-do, Seongdong District in Seoul, and Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. The evaluation criteria included civil service strategy, system operation, complaint handling, grievance resolution, and citizen satisfaction. Notably, the Rural Development Administration achieved a 30% reduction in complaints through improved certification standards, while Jindo County reduced illegal parking complaints by over 50% with a smart parking system.
The 2025 evaluation introduced new measures to ensure a safer and more responsive civil service environment, such as expanded safety indicators and the inclusion of call recording and recommended call duration standards. Agencies were also assessed on leadership engagement, citizen feedback, and the quality of responses on the national e-petition platform. The results were made public, and high-performing agencies will receive government awards, while those with lower scores will be offered customized training and consulting to raise service standards. The evaluation process is set to continue annually, with adjustments to criteria reflecting emerging public needs.
Frequently asked questions include which agencies were selected as top performers and what changes were made to the evaluation criteria. The Rural Development Administration, Daegu Metropolitan City, and Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education were among the highest scorers. New criteria focused on workplace safety, comprehensive call management, and enhanced citizen engagement. The evaluation also considered efforts to resolve grievances and improve administrative communication, ensuring that the process remains fair and responsive to public expectations.
Metaqsol opinion: The 2025 Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation reflects a robust, data-driven approach to improving public service in South Korea. By rewarding high-performing agencies and supporting those needing improvement, the government fosters a culture of accountability and innovation. The introduction of new safety and engagement criteria shows responsiveness to evolving public expectations. This policy model can serve as a benchmark for other nations aiming to enhance civil service quality and citizen satisfaction.