The government said Wednesday that more than 50 public officials will be working at Samsung and other private companies in the resumption of a program meant to boost exchange between the public and private sectors.

A total of 57 officials in central government ministries and agencies are scheduled to take a leave of absence to work at 51 different firms, including major conglomerates such Samsung and Hyundai, according to the Ministry of Personnel Management.

The ministry did not provide a specific time frame when the officials will begin to work at private companies.

They are hired by the companies on a one-year contract basis, which can be renewed for up to three years.

Still, their salaries will be capped up to 30 percent of their original salaries as public officials.

The move represents the resumption of the exchange program between public and private sectors. South Korea introduced the program in 2002, but it stopped it in 2008 amid concerns over the possible back-scratching alliance between public officials and private companies.

The ministry said it will monitor the officials on a regular basis for possible negligence and will immediately launch an audit in such cases. (Yonhap)