The Presidential Office announced on July 7 that it will create a dedicated 'Youth Coordinator' position responsible for improving the lives of young people in South Korea through targeted policy initiatives. The selection process for the role will be conducted through a fair and blind recruitment system, ensuring that factors such as academic background, professional experience, and family status do not influence hiring decisions.

According to Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, the Youth Coordinator will work under the Office for National Unity. The appointed individual will oversee the formulation of youth policies, the improvement of systems impacting young people, and the management of youth engagement platforms.

Two coordinators—one woman and one man—will be recruited publicly. In a bid to cast a wide net for talent, the selection process excludes all materials related to academic qualifications, career history, or family background, except for basic documentation needed to confirm age, Kang Yujeong clarified.

“Applicants will be assessed solely based on a written proposal outlining their aspirations and plans, as well as through presentations and interviews derived from that proposal,” Kang Yujeong emphasized during the briefing. The initiative is positioned as a key measure to promote fairness and transparency in government hiring.

The same fair recruitment standards are expected to be expanded to youth internship programs in the public sector, the Presidential Office added.

Political analysts view the introduction of the Youth Coordinator as a continuation of President Lee Jaemyeong’s emphasis on open and transparent dialogue with the younger generation. Notably, during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2019, President Lee also adopted blind recruitment for hiring young secretaries, a process through which current Democratic Party lawmaker Mo Kyungjong was appointed.

The formalization of direct communication channels with youth is widely interpreted as an effort to expand interaction and policy outreach to people in their 20s and 30s.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News