[Gwanga in] Young Ministry of Economy and Finance Officials Leaving for Law Schools and Dental Schools

Four Low-Experience Employees Pass
"Confusion Over 탈(Giving Up) Ministry of Economy and Finance Trend"
Chronic Causes Such as Personnel Bottleneck, Relatively Low Pay, and Workload

Recently announced final acceptance lists for major domestic law schools (law schools) and dental schools have included four low-ranking officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, causing a stir in the public service community. Although the departure of low-ranking public officials is not a new phenomenon, the number four carries a greater weight than before. Chronic issues such as personnel stagnation, relatively low salaries, and excessive workload are cited as the causes.

According to related ministries on the 11th, three officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance passed the law school entrance exam, and one passed the dental school entrance exam. All are low-ranking officials with six years or less of experience who passed the administrative exam, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance is on high alert about the occurrence of these departures. It is known that the four officials mostly passed into SKY (Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University) graduate schools. Among fellow officials, reactions alternate between "I'm jealous" and "I feel empty."

The phenomenon of low-ranking officials leaving the Ministry of Economy and Finance is not unusual in the public service. There was even a shock when a probationary official chose to move to a private company (Naver), and transfers to other ministries have also occurred frequently. However, this time the number of graduate school passers reached four, creating a significant impact. An official A from the Ministry of Economy and Finance said, "When one or two people left, I thought it was an exceptional choice," adding, "But now that it's four, it feels like leaving the Ministry of Economy and Finance has become a trend, which is bewildering."

The background behind more and more officials giving up the path of elite bureaucracy and changing their career path to graduate schools, requiring another exam, is complex. Factors cited include lower salaries compared to large corporations, excessive workload, persistent personnel stagnation with no signs of resolution, and reduced compensation structures. In the Ministry of Economy and Finance, it takes at least 20 years after entry to be promoted from official (Grade 5) to senior official (Grade 4) and then to deputy director (Grade 3). In other ministries, colleagues who entered at the same time have already become directors, while many remain section chiefs in the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Official B from the Ministry of Economy and Finance said, "Since personnel stagnation is severe even among executives, it seems there is no room to consider promotion issues for officials," adding, "Opportunities for recharging such as studying abroad or dispatch to international organizations are decreasing, and with work instructions continuing 24 hours via Telegram, the compensation feels insufficient compared to the workload." Official C said, "I feel disheartened seeing section chiefs and directors in their 40s and 50s who stay up all night working yet worry about their children's education expenses," adding, "I think that will be my future." Official A stated, "Although work-life balance after law firms may not be good either, the starting salaries at major law firms differ significantly from public official treatment, so it seems people make this choice."