South Korea Hires 19 More Private Experts for National AI Unit

An in-house model instead of outsourcing

The unit works differently from the traditional outsourcing-heavy approach to government software. Private developers hired on fixed terms work alongside civil servants who have completed the "AI Champion" program, and together they identify public needs and build the services themselves. AI Champion is a program that trains and certifies practitioners to lead AI adoption in the public sector.

The round is the first since Kim Se-woong, a former Kakao vice president for AI synergy, took office as head of the unit on 2 November. The unit plans to use the new hires to strengthen its capacity to develop citizen-facing services, including public AI agents.

Terms and timeline

Positions are fixed-term grades Ga, Na and Da, with terms running from the hiring date until 30 September 2028. The job notice has been posted since 2 November, and applications are open from 10 to 12 November. Selection consists of a document review followed by interviews, with final results due in December. Details on openings per field, qualifications and working conditions are in the notice on the ministry's website and on the government job portal Nara Ilteo.

Kim said that solving everyday problems with AI requires developers who understand the field and can build quickly. He said he hopes capable candidates will apply to combine private-sector speed with public accountability.

For developers, the round offers a route into government work with defined terms. For the government, it is a test of whether building in-house can deliver AI services faster than contracting them out.