[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Measures to improve age restrictions for civil service exam applicants by rank are being promoted. This is to allow all citizens to take various civil service exams based on their abilities.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on the 1st that it will work to improve discriminatory systems and practices in daily life.
Currently, civil service recruitment exams only allow those aged 18 or older to apply for grades 8 and 9, and those aged 20 or older for grades 5 and 7. The age restrictions by rank have been criticized as unreasonable discrimination based on age rather than ability.
Public officials subject to property registration, such as those of grade 4 or higher, must report not only their own property but also that of their spouse and direct ascendants and descendants. However, the reporting obligations differ between married 'sons' and 'daughters.' Married sons are subject to property reporting, but married daughters are not. This outdated practice contradicts the principle of gender equality and has faced much criticism.
Accordingly, the Commission plans to promote institutional improvements in related areas to address ▲ age restrictions on civil service exam applicants ▲ discriminatory factors in property registration of public officials based on gender ▲ prevention of reverse discrimination in subsidy payments for vehicle emission reduction projects.
Yang Jongsam, Director of the Policy Improvement Bureau at the Commission, said, "We will continuously listen to and respond promptly to the public's demands for 'fairness' and 'elimination of discrimination' raised in various sectors of our society."
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