Choi Minjun, 18-Year-Old Senior at Yeongnam High School in Daegu, Becomes Youngest Nationwide to Pass Level 9 National Civil Service Exam

Choosing a Different Path Over University
Aspiring to Become a Logistics Expert

Yeongnam High School (Principal Kim Kyungkyu) announced on September 8 that Choi Minjun, an 18-year-old third-year student, achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest person nationwide to pass the 2025 National Civil Service Level 9 Open Competitive Recruitment Exam.

The exam, administered by the Ministry of Personnel Management at the end of June, attracted a total of 105,111 applicants, resulting in an average competition rate of 24.3 to 1. Choi Minjun successfully overcame this intense competition and earned the honor of passing the exam.

Choi Minjun, 18-year-old, 3rd year student at Yeongnam High School

Choi Minjun began preparing for the exam during the summer vacation of his first year in high school. Despite the prevailing expectation that “getting into a good university” is the obvious goal, he decided to challenge himself by pursuing the civil service exam, dedicating 6 to 8 hours each day to consistent self-directed study. He built a solid foundation in Korean, English, and Korean history, and strengthened his skills in administrative law and public administration by repeatedly solving past exam questions. In particular, after passing the first written exam, he actively utilized new learning tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) and related books, to prepare for the interview.

Choi Minjun stated, “While attending a good university is an important path, I wanted to show that there is another stable and practical way forward.” He added, “From now on, I aspire to become a public servant who contributes to the organization, and in the long term, I hope to grow into a logistics expert in the postal administration.” He also expressed his gratitude to the school, which provided him with the time and space for self-directed learning, and to the teachers who always encouraged him to do his best in pursuit of his dreams.

Principal Kim Kyungkyu said, “I am proud of the courage it took to choose a different path and persevere to the end when everyone else was heading in the same direction. This achievement is a valuable example that shows students their limitless potential.”

Choi Minjun’s success is sending a message to his peers that “you can forge your own path,” and is serving as an inspiration to Yeongnam High School students by highlighting the importance of challenge and courage.

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