公務員
공무원
公 (public) + 務 (duty) + 員 (member)
📖 Origin of the Hanja
The hanja "公" depicts turning away (八) from selfishness (厶) — fairness, public good. "務" combines spear (矛) with effort (力). 公務員 = "member working for the public good". Successor of Joseon's 官吏. Korea's civil service exam began 1949 — among the most stable and sought-after careers.
"公務員 turns from self-interest — public good outweighs private."
