Addressing an alarming exodus of civil servants

As many as 13,566 civil servants quit their jobs less than five years into their careers last year. Of them, 3,020 walked out in their first year. The competition ratio of the difficult state exam for a ninth-grade civil servant, once peaking at 93.3:1, plummeted to a 32-year low of 21.8:1 this year. Once one of the dream jobs for life, the civil service is now being shunned as an unappealing profession.

The biggest drawback is low pay. The starting pay for a ninth-grade official is 1,877,000 won ($1,397), less than the monthly minimum wage of 2,060,000 won and monthly pay of military conscripts that goes up to 2,050,000 won from next year when counting the subsidy for savings. Men choose to find other jobs as the civil service can hardly provide for a family.

The rigid and demanding bureaucratic work culture also is a damper. Unpaid overtime is a norm, and many often have to devote their weekends to handling local government events. Appointments are also random. In a seminar hosted by the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), there was a complaint about dumping the most difficult work on a new recruit while assigning simple office work to a senior with a license to practice law.

Dealing with malicious civil complaints can be greatly stressful. Some use violent language or force against employees. Some post the names and phone numbers of civil servants online when they are not pleased with their service. It is why the profession no longer appeals to the younger generation.

Government employees that attain higher ranks after passing the state exam are faring no better. According to a KIPA survey, 72.7 percent of grade five government employees in their 20s and 52.7 percent in their 30s want to find another job if they have the chance. In the past, there had been pride in serving the government despite the overwork and meager salary. Today, the job is regarded as “servitude” for the presidential office and the legislature. Those who dutifully follow the orders of their bosses can end up in prison for “abuse of power” after a new governing force moves in.

The public sector can cover blind spots the private sector cannot. It sets long-term goals and presents various incentives. Civil servants check on the wellbeing of the people through everyday contact. If they relinquish their role due to poor pay and an outdated organizational culture, the damage is incurred by the people.

The drain in young government employees sounds serious alarms over our public service. To get good service, we must pay the proper dues. The organization must be healthy. Young civil servants must be protected from malicious complaints and verbal harassment. They, too, are citizens of this country.