O Tae-wan, Uiryeong County Governor, Keeps Promise to Buy Beef

Winner of the October County Office Staff 'Saenggakieum Concert'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Oh Tae-wan, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, made headlines by treating his soulmate employee to a big feast of beef last October.

The story began like this. On October 17, Governor Oh and 100 employees at grade 8 and below had a talk battle. It was a so-called ‘Thought Connection Concert’ with the subtitle ‘Curious about Tae-wan.’

On that day, a ‘Heart-pounding Balance Game’ was held to find Governor Oh’s soulmate. The balance game involved choosing one option from somewhat quirky questions like ‘Living once as Hyun Bin VS Serving one more term as governor.’ An employee who chose the same answers as Governor Oh in more than 10 questions surprised everyone. The protagonist was Park Ji-min, an administrative officer from the Urban Regeneration Department, who was awarded a surprise grand prize: a meal voucher with the governor.

At the time, Officer Park showed a bewildered expression that was hard to read, but when Governor Oh promised to buy the highest grade Korean beef, cheers and loud applause erupted everywhere.

The promise was fulfilled at noon on the 23rd. Governor Oh invited Officer Park Ji-min and three other grade 8 colleagues to treat them to a beef lunch.

Governor Oh said, “I hope to get along more casually with the young employees. I want to play the role of a father of the hometown for you, who are like my children.”

Officer Park said, “I think I received a great last gift of the year. I am just thankful that you kept your promise instead of letting it pass.”

Park Ji-min, the administrative officer who won the concert last October and secured a meal voucher with the county governor (far right).

During the lunch, there was an overflow of consultations about the young employees’ concerns. Various topics were brought up at the table, from civil servant personnel issues such as promotion and transfer to personal worries like dating and marriage. Governor Oh encouraged them with words of support.

Officer Park raised difficulties as the only urban planning civil servant in Uiryeong-gun, and the other employees openly shared the hardships they face as lower-ranking civil servants. They also continued the conversation by explaining with various examples how it is realistically not easy for young people to live in Uiryeong.

Governor Oh said, “I will boldly reform the personnel issues of lower-ranking civil servants within an acceptable range,” adding, “I hope young employees get married, have children, and continue economic activities in Uiryeong. My ultimate dream is to make Uiryeong a better place to live so that young people can take root here.”