Recruitment for 19 Open Positions Including Director General for Startup and Venture Innovation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

19 Open Positions for Private Sector Talent Recruitment
Across 15 Ministries: 8 Director General and 11 Section Chief-Level Roles

The government is conducting an open recruitment for 19 open positions, including the Director General for Startup and Venture Innovation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, in order to attract talented individuals with expertise and capabilities.

On January 2, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced that it has designated positions requiring expertise or deemed necessary for efficient policy-making as open positions, and will publicly recruit outstanding talent from both inside and outside the public sector for the "January 2026 Open Positions."

This recruitment covers a total of 19 positions across 15 ministries, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with 8 senior-level (Director General) and 11 section chief-level positions. In particular, for six positions-including Director General for Emergency Preparedness Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Director of the National Geographic Information Institute at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Unification, and Director of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs-only private sector professionals with relevant experience and expertise are eligible to apply.

The eight senior-level positions include: Director General for Startup and Venture Innovation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Consul and Director of the Korean Cultural Center at the Consulate General in New York, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Director of the National Geographic Information Institute at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Chief Judge (Chemistry) at the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board, Korean Intellectual Property Office; and Director of the National Palace Museum of Korea, Cultural Heritage Administration.

The Director General for Startup and Venture Innovation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is responsible for overseeing and coordinating startup and venture policies, related policies and systems, as well as management and supervision. Experts in startups, venture policy, regulatory freedom, and regional specialized development zones are eligible to apply.

The Consul and Director of the Korean Cultural Center at the Consulate General in New York, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a senior-level position responsible for managing the cultural center in the host country, promoting Korean Wave (Hallyu), establishing networks for cultural and artistic cooperation, and planning promotional activities. Applicants must meet language requirements and have experience in cultural policy or related fields.

The Auditor at the Ministry of National Defense oversees audits and audit result processing for the ministry and its affiliated organizations, as well as anti-corruption and misconduct investigations. The Auditor at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for audits of the ministry and its affiliated agencies, establishing public service discipline, and anti-corruption efforts. Applicants must meet the qualifications stipulated by the Public Audit Act.

The Director General for Emergency Preparedness Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is responsible for formulating related policies and plans, enacting and revising laws and regulations, overseeing national mobilization and emergency preparedness, and managing civil defense and emergency preparedness. Only private sector experts in related fields may apply. The Director of the National Geographic Information Institute at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport oversees policy development for national surveying, production and distribution of national base maps, establishment and maintenance of national surveying standards and control points, and is open only to private sector experts in surveying, geospatial studies, civil engineering, transportation engineering, or related fields.

The Chief Judge (Chemistry) at the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board, Korean Intellectual Property Office, is responsible for making determinations on issues, applying laws, reviewing and processing trial requests, and judging the legality of procedures. Experts in industrial property rights examination, trial, or litigation in the field of chemistry are eligible to apply. The Director of the National Palace Museum of Korea, Cultural Heritage Administration, is responsible for investigating, researching, collecting, and improving the exhibition of royal artifacts, as well as developing and operating related systems and policies. Experts in archaeology, art history, history, or museology related to royal artifacts may apply.

At the section chief level, 11 positions will be filled, including: Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Unification; Director of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Director of Trade Dispute Response at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Director of Faculty at the National Tax Officials Training Institute, National Tax Service. The Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Unification oversees the development and planning of public relations strategies, operation of consultative bodies, publication of materials, and management of unification broadcasting. Only private sector professionals with experience or outstanding achievements in media, policy PR, or PR/content planning may apply.

The Director of Humanitarian Assistance at the Ministry of Unification is responsible for comprehensive planning of humanitarian aid to North Korea, coordination of statistical work, and drafting and planning of laws and systems. Experts with experience or outstanding achievements in unification or North Korea policy, inter-Korean talks, or inter-Korean cooperation may apply. The Director of Emergency Preparedness Training at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is responsible for enacting and revising systems related to emergency preparedness training, conducting system research, and planning and reporting on government exercises. Experts with experience in emergency preparedness, national defense, or security may apply.

The Director of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is responsible for promoting the spirit and ideals of the May 18 Democratic Movement, conducting ceremonies and events, and managing the burial and care of remains. Only private sector professionals with experience or outstanding achievements in education, public relations, architecture, civil engineering, or facility management may apply. The Director of Quality Inspection at the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, oversees agricultural product inspection, establishment and revision of standard specifications, and management of standard specification projects and products. Experts in agricultural production, distribution, processing, or agri-food development may apply. The Director of Trade Dispute Response at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy manages strategies and procedures for responding to World Trade Organization disputes and bilateral trade disputes. Private sector professionals with experience or outstanding achievements in trade law, World Trade Organization agreements, or free trade agreements may apply.

The Director of Metropolitan Transportation Economics at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is responsible for overseeing the K-Pass public transportation fare reimbursement program, building and operating integrated mobility services (MaaS), and related tasks. Experts with experience in public transportation policy or national land and transportation policy and implementation may apply. The Director of Faculty at the National Tax Officials Training Institute, National Tax Service, is responsible for determining the scope of instruction, assigning courses, and conducting curriculum research and educational guidance. Private sector professionals with experience in taxation, accounting, general law, or educational administration may apply. The Director of Digital Procurement Management at the Public Procurement Service oversees the operation and management of the national electronic procurement system (Nara Jangteo), and the budget for procurement informatization systems. Experts with experience in building and operating procurement (bidding, evaluation, contracts, contract management, etc.) information services may apply.

The Director General for Audit at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration is responsible for policy development, system improvement, and internal and external cooperation regarding verification and investigation of defense projects. The Director for Audit Support oversees legal review of relevant laws, rules, and regulations, as well as the conclusion of international treaties and inter-agency agreements. For both positions, experts with experience in public or private law, legal advisory, administrative appeals, or litigation may apply.

Meanwhile, the announcement and document submission period for open positions runs until January 12. Further details can be found on the National Government Employee Recruitment System and the recruitment announcements on each ministry's website.