Kim Mi-ae Proposes Bill to Regularize Publication of 'Korean-style Plum Book'

Major Position Qualifications Eligible for Presidential Appointment Specified
U.S. Uses Presidential Personnel Guidelines Published Every 4 Years
Kim Mi-ae: "Possibility of Appointing Diverse Talents Will Increase"

A bill proposing the regular publication of a "Korean-style Plum Book" that specifies the qualification requirements and personnel records for major national positions appointable by the president has been introduced.

On the 2nd, Kim Mi-ae, a member of the People Power Party, announced that she had taken the lead in proposing a partial amendment to the National Public Service Act containing such provisions.

Kim Mi-ae, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In the United States, positions influenced by the president's personnel authority, qualification requirements, and appointment methods are compiled and published once every four years in line with the presidential election as the "Plum Book," officially titled "United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions," which serves as a personnel guideline for the president.

In South Korea, the Ministry of Personnel Management currently compiles and publicly discloses twice a year, in the first and second halves, a "List of Major National Positions" for Grade 4 and above positions on the internet. However, there is no separate legal basis for this, and it only contains information such as affiliated department, position name, incumbent, rank, and duties, so comprehensive information is not provided.

In response, Representative Kim proposed a bill to introduce a Korean-style Plum Book so that the president-elect can use it as a personnel guideline. The bill requires the head of the Ministry of Personnel Management to prepare a directory of major positions appointable by the president, specifying the incumbent's name, duties, qualification requirements, appointment methods and procedures, term, salary, and so forth, and to report it to the president-elect and the National Assembly, thereby allowing the president-elect to refer to it during the government’s inauguration and operation process.

Representative Kim said, "If the bill is enacted, every five years when a presidential election is held, lists of national talents by field and qualification requirements for major positions will be updated, increasing the likelihood that diverse talents meeting the public’s expectations will be appointed."