"My Dream is to Become a Public Servant" Job Seekers Choosing to Become 'Gongsijok' Amid an Unstable Employment Market [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

Increase in 'Gongsijok' Due to Employment Crisis... 37.4% of University Students and Job Seekers "Preparing for Civil Service"
Experts "Concerned That Gongsisaeng May Experience Relative Deprivation"

Examinees are attending lectures at a specialized public service exam academy. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] [Editor's Note] How is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we share the joys and sorrows unique to 'youth.'

"I chose a stable government job because I didn't have a special dream.", "It's attractive because it guarantees retirement security."

Recently, as the job market has become unstable, more college students and job seekers are choosing to become 'Gongsisaeng' (civil service exam candidates). They perceive government jobs as more stable and relaxed compared to other occupations, and with generous pensions ensuring security even after retirement, many opt to become Gongsisaeng despite the high competition rates.

The problem lies in the prolonged preparation period for the exams, which causes various pressures leading some Gongsisaeng to take extreme measures. Experts point out that as competition for civil service exams intensifies, the psychological pressure on Gongsisaeng has also increased.

There are quite a few young people choosing to become Gongsisaeng. According to a survey conducted on the 20th by JobKorea in collaboration with Albamon targeting 1,962 college students and job seekers about their 'current civil service exam preparation status,' about 37.4%?roughly 4 out of 10?answered that they are currently preparing for the civil service exam.

Additionally, nearly half at 48.4% said they intend to prepare for the civil service exam in the future. In other words, interest in government employment among college students and job seekers remains high.

Kim (24), a college student, also stated plans to prepare for a government job after graduation. Kim said, "I don't have any particular dream, so I plan to prepare for the civil service exam after graduation. Many acquaintances have already taken a leave of absence from school to go to Noryangjin to prepare for the exam," adding, "I also plan to attend a government exam academy right after graduation. Since I don't have a specific job I want to do, I think I am choosing the stable government job."

Examinees are attending lectures at a specialized public service exam academy. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The preference for government jobs among young people is also reflected in related statistics. The competition rate for civil service exams varies by job category but ranges from dozens to hundreds of applicants per position. For example, in the 2020 local government level 7 open competitive recruitment exam held on the 17th, 39,397 people applied, recording an average competition rate of 69.73 to 1.

However, due to fierce competition, passing the exam is not easy. In early last year, the US daily LA Times reported on the craze for civil service exams in Korea, stating, "Passing the civil service exam in Korea is harder than getting into Harvard University."

At that time, LA Times explained that the surge of young Koreans flocking to civil service exams is due to a combination of factors including the global economic slowdown and intensified competition with China in export industries, as Korea is one of Asia's four major economic powers.

In particular, the media reported that over 200,000 candidates took a civil service exam in 2018, noting, "The pass rate for this exam was 2.4%, which is lower than Harvard University's 2018 acceptance rate of 4.59%."

Given this situation, among Gongsisaeng, there is a saying that "passing is like threading a needle." Lee (25), who identifies as a Gongsisaeng, said, "I've been preparing for the civil service exam for a year, but passing is not easy," adding, "Even with a college degree, many can't find jobs in this situation, and even those who do feel insecure. That's why I chose the government job, but I feel anxious because I don't know when I'll pass."

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The problem is that Gongsisaeng who fail the exam suffer from severe mental stress and psychological pressure. Moreover, as the preparation period lengthens, economic burdens also increase, causing many to feel overwhelmed.

According to a 2017 report by the Seoul Youth Activity Support Center and others, the average monthly expenditure of Gongsisaeng reached 836,000 won. Adding housing costs, their monthly expenses easily exceed 1 million won.

As a result, some Gongsisaeng, unable to endure the psychological pressure, have taken extreme measures. In June 2018, a Gongsisaeng A (then 25) was found dead in a vacant lot in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Also, in April 2017, a man in his 20s, B, took his own life in a restroom at a highway rest area in Cheongju, Chungbuk. According to the police, he had failed the civil service exam he had been preparing for four years and was on his way home with his mother.

Experts express concern that as competition rates increase, the psychological pressure on Gongsisaeng may also intensify.

Professor Kwak Geumju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "Young people prefer stable jobs and pursue 'work-life balance' (Work-Life Balance), so the preference for government jobs continues steadily," adding, "Recently, as the economic situation worsens, the tendency to seek stability seems to be growing stronger. However, as competition rates rise, the relative deprivation and frustration among Gongsisaeng may also increase."