Direction for Developing the Korean Civil Service System

Abstract

To keep pace with the trend toward a stronger and wider scope of administrative authority, quantitative and qualitative changes in public administration, in the areas of specialization, technology, and efficiency, governments seek more specialized civil servants to satisfy the idea of is best when it serves most. In the more than 40 years that have passed since the legislation and promulgation of the National Civil Service Act in 1949, the civil service system has changed gradually to accommodate Korea's current situations in public administration. The 1960s and 1970s saw Korean civil servants accomplish national development goals in the public as well as the private sectors. This was made possible to a succession of successful five-year economic development plans that supplemented the weaker segments of the private sector with Well-organized public administration based was on a firm foundation of public administrative power, expertise, and know-how. Even in the period of transformation during the 1980s, a stable organization allowed Korean civil servants to continue to perform. The performance fostered social stability, ensured continued economic growth, and promoted a spirit of autonomy, participation, and unity. At the same time, however, their performance was passive, cloaked in an atmosphere permeated with authoritarianism, coercion, favoritism, shortsighted and reactive policy-making, and secrecy. This situation was the predictable result of the inflexible approach adopted by the Korean government to carry out national policy. In the 21st century Korea will face many challenges, including efforts to achieve democratization, local autonomy, scientific and information-orientation, and internationalization. Collectively, these challenges will require new approaches to public administration and an urgent requirement to realign the functions and roles of the civil service. Changes in public administration will require civil servants to change their roles and attitudes. First, pluralization will make it necessary for civil servants to coordinate conflicts and disputes among numerous and diverse special interest groups. Second, consistent with their expanded role in developing national policy, civil servants must be willing to accommodate the advice, wisdom, and initiative spirit of all special interest groups and individuals. Such an objective approach will improve the effectiveness of national policy goals and foster the highest possible level of public acceptance of the national policy making process. Third, the variety of public administrative demands and the complexity and specialized nature of public administration make it imperative that civil servants acquire and use special techniques and state-of-the art technology in performing their roles. They can no longer use flawed common sense and culturally influenced approaches. At the same time, they must be willing to shoulder the responsibility of preparing themselves to deal with the ever-changing environment in public administration. Fourth, civil servants must develop the ability to anticipate potential problems and deal with them before they become actual problems. To do this, civil servants, at all levels, must foster a positive creative atmosphere for solving problems and carrying out effective public administration. Fifth, with the advent of a democratic society, civil servants must avoid authoritarianism and control-oriented performance of administrative affairs. At the same time, they must work to establish an image of civil servants who are dedicated to the goal of national development. Improving the Environment of Public Administration Balanced Development of Political and Public Administration Developing political democracy depends on how well the executive and legislative branches can separate and coordinate their respective functions with the other; how well the legislature can perform its mandated inspections and, at the same time, maintain the balance of separation and coordination; and how well the legislature controls the diverse functions of the civil service system. …