Did They Leave in Search of Their Dreams... Over 1,700 Staff Moves in the National Assembly in the Past Year [Staff Leaving the National Assembly④]

246 Cases in April and 200 Cases in June This Year... Presidential and Local Elections Impact
Average 167 Cases per Month in First Half of Year... Sharp Increase from 102 Cases in Second Half of Last Year
Notable Rise in Corporate Relocation Phenomenon

Seoul Yeouido National Assembly Building (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] In the past year, the number of resignations or transfers among National Assembly members' aides has exceeded 1,700 cases. Since each transfer or resignation by the same person is counted as a separate case, it is difficult to determine the exact number of individuals, but it appears that a considerable number of aides have chosen to leave or move. Notably, the average monthly number of resignations this year is 167, significantly surpassing the 102 cases recorded in the second half of last year.

On the 28th, the National Assembly Secretariat disclosed that the total number of aide resignations from July last year to the 17th of this month reached 1,738 cases over the course of about a year.

The period from March to June is particularly noteworthy. The numbers were 165 cases in March, 246 in April, 190 in May, and 200 in June. This month also showed 122 cases up to the 17th. Considering that the highest months in the second half of last year were August with 130 cases and September with 128 cases, this indicates a significant upward trend.

The period from March to June coincided with the presidential and local elections. It is analyzed that many aides in the National Assembly moved to the Presidential Office and local governments depending on the election results. A People Power Party aide explained, "Some aides who were dispatched to the presidential election campaign were recognized for their skills and contributions and moved to Yongsan, and aides of National Assembly members who ran in local elections also left. In some local governments, multiple positions opened up after the election, leading to the scouting of other aides."

The number of aides moving to corporations is also noticeably increasing. Especially among aides from the People Power Party, companies are expanding their recruitment. This is because the change in administration and the People Power Party's victory in local elections have increased the demand for them. Another People Power Party aide said, "Until before the presidential election, most companies hired aides from the Democratic Party of Korea, but now that the People Power Party network is needed, companies are taking them if they seem suitable."

Given this situation, the National Assembly is suffering from a manpower shortage. Experienced aides have left, but it is difficult to find experienced replacements. A National Assembly aide said, "If it were right after the general election, we could hire newcomers and start together, but since two years have already passed and we are at the halfway point, it is not easy to hire aides without experience. Because it is hard to find experienced personnel, transfers between offices happen frequently, and each office is putting effort into recruitment."

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