Choi Dong-seok, Minister of Personnel Management: “Grade 9 Open Competitive Exam to Switch to PSAT; ‘Learning Expense Accounts’ for Civil Servants to Be Introduced” [2026 National Assembly Audit]

[Financial News]  Choi Dong-seok, Minister of Personnel Management, said the Grade 9 civil service recruitment exam would be changed from one focused on knowledge and memorization to the Public Service Aptitude Test (PSAT), which assesses comprehensive thinking skills. He also said pay and benefits for early-career civil servants would be improved and paths for capable civil servants to advance more quickly would be expanded.
In his opening remarks at the National Assembly audit on the 7th, Choi said, “We will replace the Grade 9 exam subjects, which focus on knowledge and memorization, with the PSAT, which assesses comprehensive thinking skills.” He also said individual learning expense accounts would be introduced so civil servants could choose the training they need for themselves.
Reforms to the personnel system to enhance professional expertise in public service are also being pursued.
Choi said, “We will establish a personnel management system that enables civil servants to develop into experts and promote the recruitment of professionals from the private sector,” adding, “We will also expand pathways for capable civil servants to be promoted early.”
He said, “We will expand opportunities for young people and regional talent to enter public service and improve pay and benefits for young civil servants in the early stages of their careers.”
He also outlined measures to strengthen discipline and accountability in public service. Civil servants who engage in proactive administration will be protected, while disciplinary action for passive administration will be strengthened. Measures will also be pursued to prevent drugs from entering public service. Standards for senior public officials’ asset management and leadership will also be tightened.
Regarding work-related injuries, a support system linking prevention, compensation, rehabilitation and return to work will be established. Measures to increase the proportion of women among senior civil servants and improve working conditions for civil servants with disabilities will also continue to be pursued.
Choi said, “I will do my utmost to build a public service trusted by the people and a government that delivers results through competence and responsibility.”

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter