[Government Scene in] Despite Calls for a "Space Powerhouse," Korea Aerospace Administration Shunned by New Junior Officials

Not Even One New Junior Civil Servant Chose the Korea Aerospace Administration Among Their Top Three Preferred Departments

The Korea Aerospace Administration, which was ambitiously launched last year under the banner of becoming a "space powerhouse," is in fact being overlooked by new junior civil servants.

According to an investigation by Asia Economy on August 7, among the 306 prospective junior civil servants currently undergoing training at the National Human Resources Development Institute, not a single candidate selected the Korea Aerospace Administration as one of their top three choices in any of the three job categories: general administration, mechanical engineering, and information technology. These individuals are set to receive their first departmental assignments next month. They submit their top three preferred departments, and interviews and self-introduction reviews are conducted within this range.

Due to this system, departments that are not chosen within the top three preferences are referred to as "remaining departments" among the junior civil servants, and final assignments are made from applicants who listed them as their fourth choice or lower. This year, the Korea Aerospace Administration was included among these remaining departments. In this round of applications, the only agencies that received zero applicants within the top three preferences across all relevant job categories were the Korea Aerospace Administration and the Saemangeum Development Authority (general administration and civil engineering).

One new junior civil servant, who requested anonymity, said, "Many people didn't even consider applying after hearing that the workplace would be Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province," and added, "Even if assigned there, many are concerned because it is a department they never hoped for in the first place."

The Korea Aerospace Administration, launched on May 27 last year in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province as Korea's version of NASA, took a considerable amount of time to recruit personnel. Major projects such as the next-generation launch vehicle and the Korean Positioning System (KPS) are also facing repeated delays.

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This agency, established during the presidency of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, has found itself in an even more unstable position following the change in administration. Even the reappointment of Commissioner Yoon Youngbin remains uncertain. There are also assessments that the government's commitment to fostering the space industry appears relatively weak compared to its focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

In contrast, the Financial Services Commission, which continues to enjoy strong popularity, saw 34 applicants compete for five positions in the finance and economics track, resulting in a high competition ratio of 6.8 to 1 (based on top three preferences). This is attributed to the fact that, unlike many other economic ministries that have relocated to Sejong City, the Financial Services Commission remains in Seoul.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance, once called a "power ministry," barely exceeded a competition ratio of 2 to 1, with 43 applicants for 20 positions. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, which is scheduled to relocate to Busan, recorded a competition ratio of 1.83 to 1. This stands in stark contrast to just three years ago, when the top-ranking civil service exam candidate selected it as their first choice.