The recruitment exam for Grade 9 civil servants will be changed from a knowledge and memorization focus to a Public Service Aptitude Test (PSAT) that evaluates comprehensive thinking skills, and an early promotion system for Grade 5 will be introduced. Additionally, regular inspections of high-ranking officials’ stock sales and blind trusts will be conducted, and those suspected of violations will be investigated ex officio. The disciplinary statute of limitations for excessive approach behaviors (stalking) and pornography distribution will be extended to 10 years. The Ministry of Personnel Management reported these plans on the 17th as part of the ‘2026 Major Work Promotion Plan’ to create a loyal and competent civil service and a clean and vibrant public sector.
To improve the rigid public service culture, the Ministry will strengthen active administration and enhance the effectiveness of protection while managing the accountability of high-ranking officials to increase the policy experience effect from the public’s perspective. Measures will be taken to prevent and compensate for work-related accidents, creating a public service society where civil servants can dedicate themselves to the public and fulfill their responsibilities. A democratic public service culture will be fostered through dialogue, discussion, and consultation.
The overall personnel management system, from recruitment to position management, performance evaluation, and rewards, will be restructured to focus on competence and performance, nurturing talented individuals with expertise. The Grade 9 exam subjects will be changed from knowledge and memorization to the PSAT, which evaluates comprehensive thinking skills. To support overall public sector recruitment, the National Recruitment Center Sejong will be established by 2030 to consolidate recruitment tasks currently divided between Gwacheon and Sejong.
The blind trust system will be improved to prevent high-ranking officials from being involved in duties related to their stock holdings. Strict public service ethics will be established to restore public trust by severely punishing passive administration and serious misconduct. The disciplinary statute of limitations for excessive approach behaviors (stalking) and pornography distribution will be extended to 10 years, and the disciplinary system will be improved to notify victims of the results of the perpetrator’s disciplinary actions.