By Yoon Ja-young
President Park Geun-hye is showing firm resolve to root out the "Gwanfia," or the practice of former high ranking officials taking top posts in the private sector.
But this has caused two dilemmas ― the problem of finding the right replacements and congestion in the government's human resources management.
"Gwanfia" is a portmanteau of "Gwan," which means government, and "mafia." It refers to officials taking key posts in the private sector, especially state-invested public enterprises or agencies, or companies regulated by their ministries, after quitting a government job.
It has been a preset course for the ranking officials to exert influence over these organizations and then get high salaries enjoying a comfortable second chance there.
On determination that such practices, including those by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries officials, led to slack supervision and the Sewol ferry disaster that hit the nation back in April, however, Cheong Wa Dae is determined to root them out.
However, these organizations are complaining they have problems finding suitable non-government figures for the posts. While the top government officials are refraining from handing in applications, these organizations are getting numerous applications from politicians and professors, but it is doubtful whether they would be better than the former officials.
The Korea Exchange got 17 applications for its auditor job, the largest number ever. The post is usually taken by former officials of the economy ministry, but most of the applicants were professors this time.
The Korea Gas Corporation selected four new outside executives at a shareholders' meeting last month, and three of these were from political circles.
However, there is some doubt over whether professors and politicians are more suited for some jobs than former officials.
"Government officials have over 20 years' experience in their specific areas, working with these organizations. For those state-run institutions, it would be difficult to find people with more expertise than former officials," said an official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
An insider of a state-run enterprise complained that professors generally lack experience in the field.
Some wonder whether there will be any positive change as networking with Cheong Wa Dae or the government continues regarding appointments. According to Rep. Min Byung-du of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, 114 people categorized as close aides of President Park were appointed to major posts of 84 state-run enterprises or institutions.
Fifty-five were from the governing Saenuri Party and 40 were from the President's election camp, though they have little expertise or experience in these sectors.
The move is also likely to make government officials seek easy-ways until their retirement age instead of taking up ambitious projects and gaining promotions.
"The official retirement age of a government official is 60, but it is impossible to remain in the government so long once you reach a certain rank," said an official at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.
"If you can't get a job after leaving government, isn't it natural that everyone would want to remain here?" he said.
President Park Geun-hye is showing firm resolve to root out the "Gwanfia," or the practice of former high ranking officials taking top posts in the private sector.
But this has caused two dilemmas ― the problem of finding the right replacements and congestion in the government's human resources management.
"Gwanfia" is a portmanteau of "Gwan," which means government, and "mafia." It refers to officials taking key posts in the private sector, especially state-invested public enterprises or agencies, or companies regulated by their ministries, after quitting a government job.
It has been a preset course for the ranking officials to exert influence over these organizations and then get high salaries enjoying a comfortable second chance there.
On determination that such practices, including those by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries officials, led to slack supervision and the Sewol ferry disaster that hit the nation back in April, however, Cheong Wa Dae is determined to root them out.
However, these organizations are complaining they have problems finding suitable non-government figures for the posts. While the top government officials are refraining from handing in applications, these organizations are getting numerous applications from politicians and professors, but it is doubtful whether they would be better than the former officials.
The Korea Exchange got 17 applications for its auditor job, the largest number ever. The post is usually taken by former officials of the economy ministry, but most of the applicants were professors this time.
The Korea Gas Corporation selected four new outside executives at a shareholders' meeting last month, and three of these were from political circles.
However, there is some doubt over whether professors and politicians are more suited for some jobs than former officials.
"Government officials have over 20 years' experience in their specific areas, working with these organizations. For those state-run institutions, it would be difficult to find people with more expertise than former officials," said an official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
An insider of a state-run enterprise complained that professors generally lack experience in the field.
Some wonder whether there will be any positive change as networking with Cheong Wa Dae or the government continues regarding appointments. According to Rep. Min Byung-du of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, 114 people categorized as close aides of President Park were appointed to major posts of 84 state-run enterprises or institutions.
Fifty-five were from the governing Saenuri Party and 40 were from the President's election camp, though they have little expertise or experience in these sectors.
The move is also likely to make government officials seek easy-ways until their retirement age instead of taking up ambitious projects and gaining promotions.
"The official retirement age of a government official is 60, but it is impossible to remain in the government so long once you reach a certain rank," said an official at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.
"If you can't get a job after leaving government, isn't it natural that everyone would want to remain here?" he said.
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