Senior Civil Servants Tender Resignation
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
A group of top civil servants collectively submitted their resignations right after the inauguration of President Lee Myung-bak so that he can reorganize senior government positions.
The resignation by level one administrators ― out of a nine-level system ― is virtually an established custom.
However, considering Lee's plan to reduce the number of public officials, they are worried the resignation will turn into a permanent pink slip. Lee will likely accept a majority of resignations, though his predecessors dismissed only some, according to sources.
Five officials in the Ministry of Construction and Transportation tendered their resignations, which were not delivered to Chung Jong-hwan, the minister nominee, as he is yet to take office.
``It has been routine for senior level one officials to resign when a new President comes in. Some of them will be retained while the rest will have to quit,'' an official said on condition of anonymity.
Top officials of other ministries, such as planning, finance and technology, have not yet resigned, but they are expected to follow suit following National Assembly endorsement of minister-designates on Friday.
Once selected, the government will likely appoint level two and three officials. Though they don't collectively submit resignation, they will also have to quit unless they get a position.
``Level one officials are usually in their early 50s and scared of being laid off,'' a director general said.