The number of prosecutors and Ministry of Justice or prosecution service officials who are so-called "two-job" holders has been steadily increasing in recent years. Some of them have been found to run "personal broadcasting" channels on platforms such as YouTube, or to earn rental income as landlords. Within government circles, there is a growing expectation that, due to public servant pension reform and resulting reductions in pension payouts, more civil servants will turn to side jobs as they become increasingly concerned about their financial security in retirement.
According to the "Status of Concurrent Employment Permits for National Civil Servants by Ministry" submitted by the Ministry of Personnel Management to the office of Representative Kim Sungwon of the People Power Party, the number of concurrent employment permits granted to officials affiliated with the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has increased each year: 45 cases in 2022, 63 cases in 2023, and 78 cases in 2024. Among these, the number of permits granted for "personal broadcasting" also showed an upward trend, with 6 cases in 2022, 8 cases in 2023, and 18 cases in 2024. The same trend was observed for permits granted for "rental business," which increased from 15 cases in 2022 to 20 cases in 2023, and 35 cases in 2024.
Previously, most applications for concurrent employment permits were related to university lectures or consulting for public institutions. However, the range of side jobs has diversified to include more stable sources of income such as rental businesses, as well as broadcasting on internet platforms like YouTube and Twitch, reflecting changes in the times. A central government official working in Sejong City commented, "Concurrent employment serves as a way to supplement the low salaries of young civil servants or the reduced public servant pension payouts," adding, "If the standards for allowing concurrent employment are relaxed, the popularity of civil service jobs among young people could increase."
In September 2020, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced the "Side Job and Concurrent Employment Promotion Guidelines" and shifted to a policy of generally allowing side jobs and concurrent employment for public officials. They established the principle that time after work belongs to the employee, and that only basic conditions such as personal health management, working hours, and confidentiality of official duties must be observed. Another central government official said, "Japan relaxed its prohibition on concurrent employment for public officials as a result of the deterioration of the public servant pension fund," adding, "Korea will eventually have to change its system as well, and there is a growing sentiment to prepare in advance."
According to Article 64 of the National Public Service Act, civil servants are, in principle, prohibited from engaging in "for-profit activities outside public service." However, they may do so with prior approval from the head of their agency. Under Article 25 of the National Public Service Code of Conduct, even non-profit activities require approval if they do not interfere with the performance of official duties.
Regulations related to the conduct and discipline of national civil servants define "internet personal broadcasting activities" as sharing and interacting with a large number of users through internet platforms by distributing video or audio content created by oneself or others. Internet platforms subject to this regulation include YouTube and Twitch. Content related to hobbies, self-development, and other aspects of private life is generally not subject to regulation. However, the conduct and discipline regulations include a provision stating that "special care must be taken to ensure that non-public job information is not disclosed to the outside through vlogs or similar content." If certain income thresholds are met or any income is generated, prior application and approval for concurrent employment are required.
Kim Jihyun, Law Times Reporter
※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.
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