Customs agency adds staff and adjusts jurisdiction in southwestern Korea

The Korea Customs Service said it is adding three officials and adjusting regional jurisdictions in the southwest to better respond to cyber threats and administrative changes. The revisions, enacted under a partial amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Customs Service and Its Affiliated Organizations, take effect August 28 to address rising risks of personal data leaks and system intrusions.

The expansion includes one additional Grade 6 officer for privacy protection duties and two more staff members dedicated to information security, comprising one Grade 5 and one Grade 6 official. This increases the total headcount listed in the regulations from 372 to 375, with specific bumps in administrative and technical ranks.

The restructuring redefines the operational areas of the Gwangju and Mokpo customs offices to reflect the implementation of the Special Act on the Establishment of Gwangju Metropolitan City. The Gwangju office now extends its authority to include the Bitgreen National Industrial Complex in Wolhya-myeon, Hampyeong County, while retaining jurisdiction over the Muan International Airport port area in Muan County.

Consequently, the Mokpo office's jurisdiction over Hampyeong County is adjusted to exclude the areas newly assigned to Gwangju. The Ministry of Economy and Finance stated the changes are necessary to clarify customs boundaries between the agencies.