The South Korean government is set to implement a zero-tolerance policy that will exclude public officials from their positions even for a first-time intentional drug offense. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean government is set to implement a zero-tolerance policy that will exclude public officials from their positions even for a first-time intentional drug offense.
This initiative is part of a broader plan to improve public service integrity and deter misconduct within the ranks of government employees.
Additionally, the government plans to incorporate virtual assets into the mandatory asset declaration for public officials, introducing rigorous auditing methods to ensure strict compliance.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced the ’2024 Major Policy Implementation Plan’ on February 22, which includes these measures among its key strategies for the upcoming year.
The plan is aimed at preventing and eradicating drug crimes among public officials by dismissing or discharging those who commit intentional drug offenses.
To further strengthen governance and integrity within the public sector, the government will establish guidelines for maintaining political neutrality among public officials and intensify management by operating a dedicated reporting period for concurrent positions every month.
With the inclusion of virtual assets in the property declaration required from this year, the government will develop and apply in-depth auditing techniques to thoroughly review these declarations.
The employment screening process for areas directly related to public safety, such as architectural design and supervision, will also be expanded to ensure higher standards of accountability and safety.
In an effort to establish stringent public service ethics while also boosting morale through improved compensation, the government has outlined several measures.
These include a 6% increase in the starting salary for Grade 9 entry-level positions compared to last year, a monthly loyalty allowance of KRW 30,000 for employees with less than five years of service, and an increase in annual leave days for junior public officials.
The plan also focuses on enhancing the welfare of frontline public officials working in areas such as safety, by providing housing allowances to military personnel with less than three years of service, increasing teaching allowances for homeroom and specialized teachers, and introducing a special duty allowance of KRW 80,000 per month for officials dedicated to disaster and safety tasks.
Additionally, the liability insurance coverage for public officials at high risk of litigation will be increased, and compensation for medical and nursing expenses for on-duty injuries will be raised, along with an expansion in the scope of work-related injuries eligible for expedited processing.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
