The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that a revised ordinance on the appointment of local public officials was approved at a cabinet meeting on June 23 and will take effect on June 30.
This revision is part of the outcomes from the 'Task Force for Strengthening Public Sector Capabilities' announced by the Blue House in April. It grants promotion advantages to those in key personnel exchange positions related to national projects or local issues, as well as to public servants dedicated to attracting private investment.
Public servants in these positions can receive a reduction of up to one year from the minimum required promotion period, based on half of their exchange duration. Additionally, those who work for more than a year and achieve outstanding results will be eligible for special promotions. The benefit of reducing the evaluation period by 100% for personnel exchanges, previously applicable only to those in personnel exchanges, will now also extend to public servants dedicated to private enterprises.
Concerns about disadvantages in evaluations and bonuses have been addressed. Personnel exchange participants will be evaluated separately from regular public servants, with a guaranteed minimum performance rating of 'Good' and a minimum bonus rating of 'A'. Exceptional performers will also have the opportunity to receive special performance bonuses through separate payment units.
The recruitment system for local public officials will also see some improvements. Starting in 2027, the Korean history subject for the 8th-grade public competitive examination will be replaced with the Korean History Proficiency Test at level 3 or higher, aligning it with the 9th-grade exam. Furthermore, the application range for the recommendation recruitment system for outstanding talents will be expanded from positions below the 8th grade to include the 7th grade.
Barriers for low-income individuals entering public service will be lowered. The recruitment process for the 9th-grade public examination will now include young people preparing for independence and those extending their protection period. Additionally, the qualification maintenance period for basic livelihood recipients and single-parent family support recipients will be relaxed from two years to one year.
Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, stated, "This measure provides exceptional incentives to public servants participating in large-scale national projects through project-based personnel exchanges, helping to ensure more successful project implementation. We will continue to actively improve the local personnel system to enhance openness and vitality in the public sector."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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