The Overseas Koreans Foundation Cooperation Center, established in 2023, is set to close its doors on September 30th, a move that has left its employees facing significant job insecurity. The center was created to foster a sense of Korean identity and strengthen ties between Koreans abroad and their homeland through various programs including education, scholarships, cultural exchanges, and other collaborative initiatives.
Government Decision to Disband Center
The decision to dissolve the center after just three years originated from discussions initiated in December of the previous year. At that time, President Lee Myung-bak questioned the operational efficiency of the center during a briefing on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ work. He raised concerns about the cost-effectiveness of maintaining the center as an independent entity compared to integrating its functions and staff into the existing Overseas Koreans Foundation.
President Lee remarked, “When comparing operating the center separately versus converting the center’s staff into public officials and making them part of the Overseas Koreans Foundation’s organizational structure, which option incurs greater costs?” He further suggested, “It seems more expensive to maintain (the center) as an independent institution.” Following these remarks, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed an amendment to the Act on the Overseas Koreans Foundation. This amendment, processed by the National Assembly in April, aims to absorb the center’s functions into the Overseas Koreans Foundation. The revised law is scheduled to take effect on October 1st.
Staff Uncertainty Amidst Transition
The impending closure has caused considerable anxiety among the center’s employees, who face the prospect of losing their jobs. While the Overseas Koreans Foundation will inherit the center’s operations and assets, the 36 staff members are required to pass a national public official recruitment examination, scheduled for later this year, to secure positions within the foundation. This competitive examination is open to all applicants, not just current center employees, meaning there is no guarantee that all, or even any, of the center’s staff will be successful in securing new roles.
Adding to the uncertainty, some center employees reportedly do not meet the eligibility requirements for the examination, such as the necessary years of experience. The government’s stance is that automatically converting public institution employees into public officials without a competitive process could create fairness issues with other job seekers. Therefore, guaranteed employment transfer is deemed unfeasible.
Precedent and Current Discrepancies
When the Overseas Koreans Support Group, the predecessor to the current center, was dissolved in 2023, relevant laws included provisions for the transfer of employee employment. However, no such provisions have been established for the current center’s dissolution. The Overseas Koreans Foundation has stated that it is exploring options for center employees who do not pass the competitive examination, including assistance with finding employment in the private sector.
Despite these assurances, a palpable sense of unease persists among the center’s staff. Many express concern that transitioning to private sector positions may not offer the same level of job stability and long-term security as a public service career. “If we have to move to a private organization, it’s uncertain whether our careers will be as stable as public officials,” voiced one employee, reflecting a common sentiment.
Impact on Staff and Political Reactions
The anxiety over job security has already begun to manifest. According to data on staff status submitted by the Cooperation Center to Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, two employees at Grade 3 and Grade 5 levels resigned from the center after the dissolution was confirmed in May. Furthermore, four employees who were on parental leave have returned to work earlier than planned, and one employee withdrew their application for parental leave, indicating the immediate impact of the impending closure.
Ahn Cheol-soo criticized the government’s approach, stating, “While the state is inheriting the work and assets intact, requiring the very individuals who performed these duties to retake an exam and then offering them private sector employment if they fail is an irresponsible organizational restructuring.” He emphasized, “If the state is dismantling an institution it deems unnecessary, it is only right that it takes responsibility for the resulting employment instability.”
Conclusion
The closure of the Overseas Koreans Foundation Cooperation Center highlights a critical issue regarding the transition of public sector employees during organizational restructuring. While the government cites efficiency and fairness as reasons for the dissolution and competitive re-hiring process, the resulting job insecurity for dedicated staff members raises significant concerns about the human cost of such administrative decisions. The situation underscores the need for more comprehensive support mechanisms for employees affected by government-led organizational changes, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged and their futures are secured.
