Correctional service (교정직) Grade 9 exam explained

The correctional and protective services (교정직) Grade 9 track differs from the general administration track in three ways: a higher minimum age of 20, subject-specific papers on corrections and criminal procedure in place of the two administration subjects, and a physical fitness test that sits between the written exam and the interview.

What subjects does the correctional track test?

Korean, English and Korean history remain common to the correctional track as they are across most Grade 9 tracks, but the two remaining subjects are replaced with an introduction to corrections (교정학개론) and an outline of criminal procedure law (형사소송법개론), reflecting the specialised knowledge the role actually requires. See our explainer on exam subjects and format for how the general administration track’s subject list compares.

Why is the minimum age higher for correctional service?

The correctional and protective services track sets a minimum age of 20, two years above the general Grade 9 floor of 18, reflecting the nature of the role’s duties. This is covered alongside the general age rules in our explainer on age eligibility; our age calculator can confirm exactly where a candidate sits against either floor for a given exam year.

What does the physical fitness test involve?

According to Korea’s own legal database (국가법령정보센터), the regulation governing physical fitness testing for correctional service appointments below Grade 6 sets four measured events: a 20-metre shuttle run, grip strength, sit-ups, and a 10-metre double shuttle sprint. A candidate fails the overall test if they fail even one event outright, or fall short of the passing standard on two or more events. The same regulation notes that past height and weight restrictions for appointment were abolished, with the fitness test itself introduced specifically to assess whether a candidate can respond effectively to sudden physical situations that arise on the job, rather than screening on body measurements.

Where does the fitness test sit in the overall process?

Only candidates who clear the written exam proceed to the physical fitness test, and only candidates who pass the fitness test proceed to the interview. This is a genuine additional gate compared with the general administration track’s process, described in our explainer on how the written score and interview combine, where the process moves directly from written exam to interview with no intervening physical stage.

Does the correctional track share the same application system and

calendar as other tracks?

Yes. Applications for the correctional track run through the same National Civil Service Recruitment System at gongmuwon.gosi.kr and the same overall MPM recruitment calendar as other Grade 9 tracks, though the specific exam date, vacancy count and subject weighting for the correctional track are confirmed separately in each year’s recruitment announcement, the same way they are for every other track. See our application guide for how the online application process itself works.

Is the correctional track more competitive than general administration?

Competition ratios and pass marks are calculated separately for each track, so a direct comparison depends entirely on the specific cycle and region in question rather than a fixed relationship between the two tracks; see our explainer on the 2026 competition ratio for how vacancy counts and applicant numbers can shift a track’s relative difficulty year to year.

FAQ

What is the minimum age for correctional service Grade 9? 20 years old, two years above the general Grade 9 minimum age of 18.

What subjects replace the administration subjects on the correctional track? An introduction to corrections (교정학개론) and an outline of criminal procedure law (형사소송법개론), alongside the shared Korean, English and Korean history subjects.

What does the physical fitness test measure? Four events under Korea’s correctional service fitness testing regulation: a 20-metre shuttle run, grip strength, sit-ups, and a 10-metre double shuttle sprint.

When does the fitness test happen in the process? After the written exam and before the interview, applying only to candidates who have already passed the written stage.

Does the correctional track use a different application system? No. It uses the same National Civil Service Recruitment System as other Grade 9 tracks, with its own subject list, dates and vacancy count confirmed separately each cycle.