Part-Time Officials' Union: "Now Is the Time to Abolish the System and Convert to Full-Time Public Officials"

Press Conference and Forum Held at the National Assembly
77.7% of Local Governments and 60.4% of Central Agencies Support Abolition
Conversion Official System Proposed as a Flexible Alternative

The Korea Federation of Public Officials' Trade Unions National Part-Time Public Officials' Union (hereinafter referred to as the "Part-Time Officials' Union," chaired by Jung Sung-hye) held a press conference on September 5, urging the abolition of the part-time public official recruitment system. The union argued that the system should be abolished and all employees converted to full-time public officials, while ensuring flexibility through a conversion official system for those who require reduced working hours.

On this day, the Part-Time Officials' Union held both a press conference and a forum at the National Assembly, calling for the abolition of the system. They argued that short working hours have resulted in discrimination in terms of pay, allowances, and promotions, and insisted that the system be abolished and the relevant laws on forced changes to working hours be revised.

At the National Assembly forum, Jung Sung-hye, chairperson of the Part-Time Officials' Union, stated, "In 2017, we held our first forum here to improve the part-time public official recruitment system, but ten years of experience have only confirmed the structural limitations of the system. 77.7% of local governments, 60.4% of central government agencies, and 92.1% of the officials themselves want the system abolished. Now, the answer is to convert all 3,500 or so officials to full-time positions and ensure flexibility for those who require reduced hours through the conversion official system."

Kim Hyunjin, chairperson of the Korea Federation of Public Officials' Trade Unions, said, "The part-time public official recruitment system has resulted only in discrimination and confusion, contrary to its original intent. The problems in the field are structural, and it is time to establish a roadmap for abolition." He called for support for conversion to full-time positions, the establishment of the principle of equal pay for equal work, and legal improvements to the personnel management system.

Park Junghyun, a member of the Democratic Party, stated, "Although the initial purpose of introducing the part-time public official recruitment system was good, in reality, it has been rife with discrimination and unfairness. It is unjust for officials to perform the same work as full-time employees while still facing discrimination. Since the conversion official system already exists, the recruitment system should be phased out."

Jung Chunsaeng, a member of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said, "Working hours are determined by the agency's notice, and despite performing the same work as full-time officials, part-time officials face discrimination in salary, promotion, and overall welfare. I will work to ensure the abolition of the system through legislation and budgeting."

Yong Hyein, a member of the Basic Income Party, said, "Rather than patching up a failed policy, we need a real alternative, namely, abolishing this system and converting all officials to full-time positions."

Lee Haesik, a member of the Democratic Party, stated in a written congratulatory message, "The right to choose working hours is limited, and despite working essentially the same as full-time employees, part-time officials have faced discrimination in salary and promotion. This is a structural issue that burdens not only the officials themselves but also the organization. I will do my best to ensure that follow-up measures are put in place after the abolition of the system."