The government said Thursday that it plans to adopt a system this year that would allow public servants to specialize in one area as part of its effort to enhance professionalism in the public sector.

"A system of cultivating public servants with specialty will be adopted," Minister of Personnel Management Lee Geun-myeon said.

Under the current system, public officials are rotated to different departments while the new system allows certain officials with specialties to work in that position throughout their career.

On Tuesday, President Park Geun-hye said the government should introduce a so-called "two-track" system in the public sector.

Public companies and government agencies have frequently come under criticism for lax management and lack of professionalism. A civil servant's job has been traditionally called an "iron rice bowl" because of its solid job security. (Yonhap)