Only 4 Selected in 60 Years Through Strict Exams... The Rarest Civil Servants Revealed [New Jobs]

Presidential Appointment Document Calligrapher
Only One Selected Through Strict Exam
Brush Master Crafting 4,000 Documents Annually

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Since 1962, there has been a national civil servant position held by only four people to date. This is the Pilgyeongsa (筆耕士). The meaning of the term is "a person who plows the field with a brush." In the past, while most people plowed fields with farming tools to make a living, Pilgyeongsa made a profession out of writing. Even in modern times, where printing machines, fax machines, and electronic documents have become commonplace, Pilgyeongsa have steadfastly survived and still play a significant role in Korea's public service.

A Civil Servant Position Held by Only Four People for Over Half a Century

All presidential appointment letters in Korea are written by calligraphers.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd of this month, the Ministry of Personnel Management issued an official notice for Pilgyeongsa recruitment. The number of positions available is just one. Since the Pilgyeongsa role was established in 1962, there have been only four Pilgyeongsa, and with the recent retirement of former officer Kim Ijung, the vacancy is being filled.

Their duty is to write, in brush calligraphy, the appointment letters for national civil servants ranging from Grade 5 officials to the Prime Minister. The qualification requirements include having at least two years of experience in a position equivalent to or higher than the one to be appointed, or at least three years of research or work experience in a related field in the private sector. Additionally, candidates must have a master's degree in fine arts, calligraphy, or a related field, or a bachelor's degree with at least two years of research experience in the relevant area.

If Candidates Do Not Meet Competency Standards, No One Is Selected

Former clerk Kim Ijung, who is known to have resigned last year for personal reasons. [Image source=YouTube capture]

Pilgyeongsa personally write all presidential appointment letters. The number of appointment letters they produce annually ranges from 4,000 to 7,000. Since appointment letters are important documents bearing the president's name and the national seal, the brush calligraphy on the paper must be of the highest skill.

Because of this, the Pilgyeongsa examination is known to be extremely challenging. Applicants must first pass a written test, followed by a practical test to determine the best brush calligraphy. All skills related to handwriting, including Korean script styles and character arrangement, are meticulously evaluated.

If the applicants' skills do not meet the standard in a given year, recruitment is postponed altogether. In fact, the Ministry of Personnel Management deferred Pilgyeongsa recruitment in December 2022 because all 21 candidates who took the practical test were deemed unqualified.

Replaced by Computers in the Private Sector... But the 'Symbolism' Remains

When the Pilgyeongsa civil servant position was first created in the 1960s, not only the government but also private companies hired Pilgyeongsa. At that time, the highest calligraphy skills were regarded as superior to typewriters. However, as computers, printers, and word processing programs became widespread, Pilgyeongsa as a profession quickly disappeared from the private sector.

However, Pilgyeongsa survived in the public sector due to irreplaceable 'symbolism.' In fact, in 2005, appointment letters for civil servants Grade 5 and above were digitized, but public officials raised objections, and the handwritten appointment letters by Pilgyeongsa were reinstated. They argued that such appointment letters, which are a milestone in one's life, cannot be replaced by dull photocopies.