ABSTRACT
The Korean personnel administration, from a systematic perspective, is based on a career civil service system that is based on the principles of the merit system. The Korean government has enhanced work–family compatibility for both men and women by enforcing a flexible working system from a perspective that allows flexibility when building one's career. Reforming the Korean career civil service refers to modifying the rank system, closed recruitment, and the appointment system focused on individuals with general capacity level in order to improve public officials' responsiveness, professionalism, and efficiency. The Senior Civil Service plays a key role in setting and determining main policies of the Korean government, and it is managed separately from general government officials. As the opportunity for social advancement for women is increasing, a number of maternity protection systems for women's work–life balance that take females' life span characteristics into consideration are in effect.
