The government says 30 percent of overseas ambassadorial and general consul seats will now be open to the public and other government office workers.

The Foreign Ministry announced the new foreign service personnel management plan on Wednesday.

Under the new system, one-third of the nation's 129 overseas diplomatic posts will be filled with civilian experts and public officials from ministries other than the Foreign Ministry through open competition.

The Foreign Ministry reform plans also include abolishment of job security for senior officials at the level of grade one or above as in the case of other ministries.

The ministry is also considering a plan to introduce multiple vice ministers, but officials say a final decision has yet to be made on the matter.