Expectations for Improved Working Conditions for Public Officials Living Away from Home on Islands

Korea Island Promotion Agency Begins Field Survey

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The working environment for public officials working on remote islands, or 'nakdo' (落島), far from the mainland, is expected to improve.

On the 8th, according to the Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI, Director Oh Dongho), a 'Survey on the Working Conditions of Public Officials in Island Areas' was recently launched to improve the working environment.

This survey is a study on the problems, current status, and improvement plans of aging official residences in nakdo areas, and will be conducted through literature review, individual interviews, and surveys of public officials working in island areas by mid-March.

Depending on the results, the direction of future research projects will also be determined.

It is because an integrated government office building that can be used not only by city, county, and district public officials in nakdo areas but also by related agencies such as health centers, police, and fire departments can be considered from the perspective of budget savings.

This survey reflects policy proposals made by the National Federation of City, County, and District Public Officials Labor Unions (hereinafter referred to as the Federation, Chairman Gong Juseok), who visited the Korea Island Development Institute at the end of last year.

In fact, more than 50% of public officials working in local governments such as Sinan and Wando are stationed on nakdo, and the official residence facilities are known to be seriously aging.

Oh Dongho, director of the Korea Island Development Institute, said, “I am always grateful for the hard work of many public officials who work on islands across the country, far from their beloved families,” adding, “I hope that through this survey, the living environment will be improved even a little, laying the foundation for serving and coexisting with island residents to guarantee their basic rights.”