Public Service Loses Appeal: Level 9 Local Government Official Exam Sees 6-to-1 Competition, Lowest in Five Years

23,390 Positions Available, 141,546 Applicants
Competition Rate Drops from 10.7:1 in 2023 to 6.1:1
Sejong Records 12.5:1, North Chungcheong Province at 4.3:1

This year, the average competition rate for the Level 9 Local Government Official Open Competitive Recruitment Examination was recorded at 6.1 to 1. This marks the lowest level in the past five years.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on June 17, 2026 that a total of 141,546 applicants applied for the 23,390 positions scheduled for recruitment through the 2026 Local Government Official Open and Career Competitive Recruitment Examinations, resulting in an average competition rate of 6.1 to 1.

The competition rate had risen from 9.1 to 1 in 2022 to 10.7 to 1 in 2023, but then declined for three consecutive years, with 10.4 to 1 in 2024, 8.8 to 1 in 2025, and 6.1 to 1 this year. This year’s rate is the lowest in the past five years. By recruitment type, the open competitive recruitment recorded a rate of 6 to 1, while the career competitive recruitment was 11.2 to 1.

By region, Sejong City posted the highest competition rate at 12.5 to 1, with 953 applicants for 76 positions. This was followed by Daegu with 10 to 1, and Daejeon with 9.5 to 1. In contrast, North Chungcheong Province had the lowest rate, with 5,407 applicants for 1,253 positions, resulting in 4.3 to 1. Incheon recorded 4.5 to 1, and both South Jeolla Province and Jeju Province had 4.6 to 1, respectively.

By job group, the administrative job group saw 97,074 applicants for 14,530 positions, resulting in a competition rate of 6.7 to 1. The science and technology job group had 44,472 applicants for 8,860 positions, resulting in a rate of 5 to 1.

By age group, those aged 20 to 29 accounted for the largest share at 47.6% (67,367 applicants), followed by those aged 30 to 39 at 37.8% (53,440 applicants), those aged 40 and over at 13.8% (19,641 applicants), and those aged 19 or younger at 0.8% (1,098 applicants).

By gender, female applicants totaled 80,722, accounting for 57% of the total. Male applicants numbered 60,824 (43%). The proportion of female applicants increased slightly from 56.7% last year.

This year’s written recruitment examination will be held simultaneously at test centers in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide on June 20. Details on the test locations and schedule can be found on the websites of each city and province, as well as the Local Government Internet Application Center. The results of the written exam will be announced by each city and province in July. Jin Myeonggi, Director General of the Local Autonomy Innovation Office at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, “We hope to see many talented individuals enter public service and contribute to the development of local communities. As the number of positions has increased significantly compared to previous years, we will provide full support to ensure the examination proceeds smoothly.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.