The Ministry of Unification announced on November 8 that it is likely to employ 3 North Korean defectors as regular civil officials, all of whom applied through the open career recruitment process last year. The positions include one grade 7 administrative official, and two grade 9 administrative officials.
To apply for a position as a grade 7 administrative official, a Master’s degree in humanities and social sciences is required, while grade 9 positions require professional experience in general office work. The final decision will be made at the end of November following interviews and an examination of the candidate’s records.
The Ministry of Unification noted that more than 40 people applied for the positions during the recruitment period from October 28 to November 1, meaning that the competitive ratio was 13.6 to 1.
As of the end of last year, the number of defectors working for South Korea’s central and local government bodies is 133, of which 33 are full-time staff. Last year, the Ministry of Unification employed five defectors as grade 7 and 9 administrative officials, marking the first time that a defector has been employed as a grade 7 civil servant.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Unification noted, “As with last year, the recruitment is expected to create an optimistic atmosphere among the defector community and also enhance the diversity and openness of the government by providing opportunities for defectors.”
“The Ministry of Unification is planning to increase employment opportunities for defectors in the government and public institutions to keep pace with a community of 30,000 defectors,” the spokesperson added. The ministry estimates that the number of North Korean defectors will exceed 30,000 by the middle of this month.
