Collective Resignation Requests for All Grade 1 Officials Across Ministries
Unprecedented Move Causes Stir Among Government Officials
National Public Service Act: "Ex Officio Dismissal Possible with Organizational Changes"
Reshuffling of Se
As major government ministries have received collective resignations from their highest-ranking senior officials (Grade 1), there is growing consensus that the pace of organizational restructuring is accelerating.
On September 19, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eogwon requested a tea meeting with all Grade 1 officials and asked them to submit their resignations. Some Grade 1 officials immediately expressed their willingness to resign on the spot, while the rest reportedly did not comment.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol also requested resignations from all Grade 1 executives. He asked for resignation letters from all seven Grade 1 officials, including the Vice Minister, Director General for International Economic Affairs, Director General for Fiscal Management, Directors General for Budget, Tax, and Planning & Coordination, and the Spokesperson.
It has been reported that, in addition to economic ministries, all Grade 1 officials across government ministries have been asked to submit their resignations. While it is not uncommon for a new administration to request collective resignations, it is rare for such a request to be made to all Grade 1 officials across every ministry. This is interpreted as a strong signal of the new administration’s intent to overhaul personnel during the government reorganization process involving the Ministry of Economy and Finance, financial authorities, and the prosecution service.
A government official stated, “The collective resignations were not targeted solely at Grade 1 officials in the Ministry of Economy and Finance or the Financial Services Commission, but rather at Grade 1 officials across all ministries,” adding, “It was not the minister’s personal decision, but rather reflected the intention of the presidential office in Yongsan.”
Some observers note that, given the change of administration following the president’s impeachment, the submission of resignations by Grade 1 officials was an expected step. The National Policy Planning Committee has finalized its blueprint for government tasks, and the process of reappointing senior civil servants is underway.
There is also a view that the government has officially begun the process of organizational restructuring from a legal standpoint. According to Article 70 of the National Public Service Act, an appointing authority may dismiss a civil servant ex officio if their position is abolished or there is a surplus of personnel due to organizational or staffing changes, or budget reductions.
Currently, discussions on organizational restructuring are underway, led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Accordingly, the total workforce, organizational structure, and authority of the newly established Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Financial Supervisory Commission are being coordinated with relevant ministries.
Another government official commented, “Collective resignations from Grade 1 officials are not unprecedented,” adding, “However, it remains to be seen whether follow-up appointments will be made immediately.”
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