On Jan. 1, Minister Choi Dong-seok of the Ministry of Personnel Management said in a New Year's address that he would realize "civil servants who are loyal to the people and competent, and a public sector that is clean and vibrant."
Minister Choi said, "We will establish the values of the Constitution and popular sovereignty, as well as autonomy and responsibility, as principles for performing duties," and added, "We will build a position management system that allows capable civil servants to grow into experts, and expand personnel exchanges with the private sector to cultivate talent that excels at work."
Choi also said, "We will create reasonable working conditions," adding, "We will foster a public service environment where all members of the public sector want to work energetically together, including actively raising the pay of civil servants from the younger generation."
He went on to say, "We will strictly hold to account serious misconduct and thoroughly manage the assets held by senior public officials."