Jung In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, Creates a Space for Open Communication with Employees

Encouraging Efforts at the Spring Festival by Delivering Tourism and Snacks

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do announced on the 27th that it held the ‘Gwangyang City Supports You’ event in March to strengthen communication among employees and create a vibrant workplace atmosphere.

‘Gwangyang City Supports You’ was organized to boost employee morale and provide an opportunity for free communication between the mayor and employees, moving away from the conventional meeting formats.

[Photo by Gwangyang-si]

Mayor Jeong personally visited the Tourism Division with snacks despite his busy schedule to encourage and engage in conversation with employees who have been working hard to promote spring festivals such as the 22nd Gwangyang Maehwa Festival and the 6th Gwangyang Millennium Camellia Festival.

The event began with witty self-introductions by the Tourism Division staff and proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere where participants openly shared recent interests, concerns, and stresses related to public service life.

In particular, Mayor Jeong emphasized the creation of an organizational culture based on mutual respect without barriers between ranks and shared his own experiences of challenges and stress relief as a senior public official. Employees naturally voiced various opinions, including suggestions for addressing departmental issues and fostering an organizational culture that harmonizes different generations.

One employee from the Tourism Division said, “Spending an hour chatting with the mayor, who usually seemed distant, helped reduce the gap between us, and I could also feel his genuine care for the employees, making it a valuable time.”

Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang City, said, "I was deeply moved to see the employees working hard on the front lines for the citizens. Although work can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult, I will strive to be a strong support so that employees can work with confidence.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang City operates ‘Gwangyang City Supports You’ once a month to foster lively communication between the mayor and employees and actively discover ideas that can contribute to city administration, thereby creating a platform for internal organizational communication.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr