The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Federation of Public Officials' Unions (Civil Servants' Union) held a "Public Consensus Flash Mob" in downtown Seoul on July 16, demanding improved treatment and wage normalization for civil servants.
Members of the Civil Servants' Union are performing a demonstration demanding improved treatment and wage normalization for civil servants. Provided by the Civil Servants' Union.
This performance, titled "Let My Bank Account Smile Too," featured frontline civil servants from across the country who voluntarily participated to symbolically express the reality of low wages. The event was designed to raise public awareness of the crisis in the civil service, as seven out of ten civil servants with less than five years of experience are reportedly considering resignation.
According to the "Organizational Culture Perception Survey of the Civil Service Targeting Junior Civil Servants" released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 68.2% of junior civil servants responded that they were considering leaving the service due to reasons such as low pay and malicious complaints from the public.
The Civil Servants' Union satirically highlighted the reality that "there is no severance pay and allowances are minimal," while also expressing pride in the idea that "civil servants are Korea." Shin Dongkeun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Civil Servants' Union, who attended the event, emphasized, "Fair compensation is a right to a humane life guaranteed by the Constitution," and added, "Even now, the state must fulfill its responsibilities toward civil servants."
The event was organized by the "Civil Servants' Right to Survival Struggle Committee," which consists of approximately 260,000 civil servants and teachers affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. The committee is also encouraging online participation through the "Let My Bank Account Smile Too" challenge video contest, which runs until July 20. Anyone can participate by submitting a dance video of at least 20 seconds, with a total prize of 1 million won at stake.
The Civil Servants' Union stated, "We will continue to work together with citizens, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and the Civil Servants' Right to Survival Struggle Committee to expand social consensus and push for institutional reforms to normalize civil servant compensation."
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