By Xinhua
Seoul : South Korea’s incoming administration said Monday it is considering allowing foreigners to compete for all South Korean government positions, except those related to national security and intelligence.
The transition team of president-elect Lee Myung-bak said it would table a bill at the national assembly later Monday to amend the public service law to open government jobs to eligible foreigners.
“We have decided to revise the law so that competent foreigners can be appointed to needed positions,” transition committee spokesperson Lee Dong-kwan said in a briefing.
“We will also seek measures to commit foreign officials to confidentiality even after retirement,” he said.
The decision came after Lee last week told his team to work out measures to take advantage of foreign specialists’ expertise in helping South Korea revitalise and upgrade its economy.
The current public service law allows temporary recruitment of foreign nationals only in a small number of fields such as research, technology and education.
Lee will assume office Feb 25.