Why Were 4 Retirees Included Among the 1 Candidate for Grade 4 Promotion in Gangnam-gu?

Integrated Union Seoul Headquarters Chief Im Seong-cheol (former Gangnam-gu Branch Chief) posted on the union bulletin board on the 7th titled "Gangnam-gu, Can Flowers Bloom in the Last Promotion of the 7th Local Government Term?" criticizing, "Yesterday, I was shocked to see the list of candidates for the first half of 2022 regular promotions on the Saeol bulletin board. It has been perfectly realized in the 6th local government term!" Criticizing the trick of listing 7 people including 1 person promoted to grade 4, 4 retirees at year-end, and 3 current employees.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] As Gangnam-gu prepares to promote one Grade 4 (Director-level) official by the end of the year, it has been reported that seven candidates have been nominated for promotion, including four retirees and three current officials, drawing attention and criticism as a 'trick'.

Im Seong-cheol, head of the Seoul branch of the Integrated Labor Union (former Gangnam-gu branch chief), posted an article titled “Gangnam-gu, Will Flowers Bloom in the Last Promotion of the 7th Elected Term?” on the union bulletin board on the 7th, stating, “Yesterday, I was shocked to see the list of candidates for the regular promotion review for the first half of 2022 posted on the Saeol bulletin board. It has been perfectly implemented since the 6th elected term!”

Im criticized, “They nominated one Grade 4 administrative director and as many as four retirees, leaving only three competing. It looks like a 3-to-1 competition ratio, but in reality, it’s a 50% chance game of ‘you’ or ‘me.’ It seems there is no room for managerial choice at all.”

It is expected that the four retirees are just numbers, and excluding the rookie managers, one of the two managers will be promoted.

He also scolded, “Still, since it is the coveted director position for all employees, I think there should have been at least some form of competition.”

Additionally, he wrote, “Last month, a former certain (某) district chief was hired as a department head in an affiliated organization of Gangnam-gu Office, which is an irresponsible personnel decision that disregards the reality of the district and is expected to cause long-term stagnation in organizational development.”

He pointed out, “As I noted in 2018, if you are a senior public official, wouldn’t you be respected and blessed if you resign and move to relieve the personnel backlog one to two years before retirement? Moreover, I understand that one person was a main actor in the major event of the 6th elected term’s leadership change due to excessive loyalty for personal promotion. It seems the 7th elected term does not conduct any personnel verification at all. Or is this a token of gratitude from someone?” highlighting the personnel chaos.

He also criticized the Grade 5 administrative positions as even more ridiculous.

He said that over the past four years, arms and legs moved more than the head, and with elections approaching, only seven administrative team leaders from the community centers were nominated, and they seem to have barely passed based on the performance evaluations received from the district office.

Im said, “Even though there are five retiring community center chiefs’ positions, and even if all administrative team leaders from the community centers were promoted, it would still be insufficient. It seems they are thinking about competition ratios like 9-to-1 or 8-to-2.” He added, “Although election work may seem simple and the roles of chiefs and staff working on the front lines may appear insignificant, familiarity and closeness with residents come first, and community centers are channels for communication and harmony.”

He advised, “It takes at least six months to become familiar with residents, so please give up the idea of promoting them to chiefs with clumsy loyalty.”

He strongly recommended promoting five out of the seven candidates from the community centers in this promotion to ensure smooth election work at the community centers.

He concluded, “They say ‘Personnel is everything.’ Personnel exists because it is a responsibility, not a privilege. I hope Gangnam-gu’s personnel system will take root as one that takes full responsibility, not exercising authority carelessly. Are you only allowing the labor union to observe the ‘Promotion Review Committee’ and not sharing personnel data because you are afraid of exposing a flawed ranking? Don’t cloud your eyes by talking about employee morale without ever clarifying the personnel principles of the 7th elected term. I hope you work conscientiously for the remaining period for the minimum development of the organization.”