SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- A revised law will help increase public employment of North Korean defectors here and other naturalized South Koreans, the government said Monday.

   The Cabinet meeting presided by President Lee Myung-bak in the morning passed a revised National Public Service Law to allow North Koreans and naturalized citizens to apply and compete with other South Koreans for general government posts.

   Previously, a few North defectors were employed under a special law designed to assist North Koreans in the South or under temporary contracts.

   The government expects the revised law will help North Korean defectors and naturalized citizens to land more stable jobs here, it said.

   The revised public service law also aims to more tightly regulate bribery by public officials and the misappropriation of state funds, the government also noted.

   Under the revised law, the government will withdraw retirement benefits for public servants who are convicted of bribery or embezzlement and sentenced to a suspended prison term or a fine of 3 million won (US$2,641) or more.

   Previously, those who are sentenced to imprisonment were stripped of their entitlement to retirement benefits.

   pbr@yna.co.kr
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