Recommendation to Abolish the 'Gongjik Gyeongryeok Teukrye Jedo' Causing Distress to Young Applicants

For 15 Types of National Professional Qualification Exams

The special exemption system recognizing public service experience in national professional qualification exams such as patent attorney and customs broker is expected to be completely abolished.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the 3rd that it has prepared measures to improve the operation and fairness of the national qualification exam system and recommended them to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and other relevant ministries in charge of individual laws.

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

There has been criticism that the regulations granting automatic qualification without exams or exemption from exam subjects solely based on public service experience in national professional qualification exams are excessive special cases. In fact, in September 2021, during the 58th Certified Tax Accountant second exam, the failure rate for subjects exempted only for public officials was an unprecedentedly high 82.1%, causing anger among young examinees.

In response, the ACRC has prepared a system improvement plan centered on abolishing the special recognition of public service experience in the 15 types of national professional qualification exams where automatic qualification or exam subject exemptions are currently reflected in individual laws.

Additionally, those who have been dismissed or discharged due to disciplinary actions will be excluded from recognition of public service experience. The reasons for excluding disciplinary actions from public service experience recognition will be expanded to include sex crimes and hiring irregularities, establishing grounds for verification and confirmation procedures. Furthermore, a new regulation will be introduced to restrict retired public officials who hold qualifications from accepting assignments from their former affiliated institutions for a certain period.

Kim Tae-gyu, Vice Chairman of the ACRC, said, "We hope that abolishing the public service special exemption in national professional qualification exams will guarantee fair opportunities for young people and serve as a chance for active entry into the expert market. The ACRC will continue to improve the system to meet the aspirations of the younger generation for a fair society."