Baekho Appointed President of Seoul Metro... Safety, Change and Innovation, Enjoyable Workplace

Seoul City Appoints President of Seoul Metro

Baek Ho, Former Director of Urban Transportation Office of Seoul City, Appointed as the 3rd President of Seoul Metro

Baekho Appointed President of Seoul Metro... Safety, Change and Innovation, Enjoyable Workplace

Inaugural Speech of Baekho, Newly Appointed President of Seoul Metro Corporation

Baek Ho, former Director of the Urban Transportation Office of Seoul City, has taken office as the President of Seoul Metro.

President Baek graduated with a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Dankook University and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Graduate School. He began his public service career by passing the 33rd Administrative Examination in 1989 and gained practical experience in transportation while working as the Transportation Planning Officer at Seoul City.

He has served as Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin District Office, Head of the Waterworks Business Headquarters, and Director of the Urban Transportation Office, building over 30 years of public service experience that strengthened organizational capabilities and expertise in the urban transportation sector.

In particular, he has demonstrated sufficient capabilities by leading various projects in the urban transportation field, such as the capital restructuring of Line 9, planning new subway lines, and establishing special congestion management measures.

At the personnel hearing held by the Seoul Metropolitan Council on May 17, President Baek was evaluated on his management skills, policy execution abilities, and vision for the future of the corporation. The council adopted a personnel hearing report agreeing to appoint Baek Ho as the President of Seoul Metro, stating, “He has experience directing and supervising policy projects related to transportation, especially those linked with the corporation, so we can expect the corporation’s development.”

Seoul City stated, “Based on the capabilities President Baek has demonstrated throughout his long public service career, we believe he will wisely resolve safety issues caused by aging facilities and chronic financial difficulties,” and added, “We look forward to the new Seoul Metro that will change under President Baek’s leadership.”

President Baek said, “As the Seoul subway approaches its 50th anniversary since opening, I feel a heavy responsibility to present a direction for the next 50 years as I take on the position of president. Above all, I will do my best to create a ‘trusted subway, the transportation of ten million citizens’ by ensuring safety and resolving various issues such as the financial crisis.”

Mayor Oh Se-hoon posed for a commemorative photo after presenting the appointment letter to Baek Ho, the newly appointed president of Seoul Metro.

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Inaugural Address

Dear executives and employees of Seoul Metro,

Greetings. I am Baek Ho, the 3rd president.

On my first commute to meet you,

I reflected on the meaning of the Seoul subway.

The Seoul subway opened a new era of public transportation.

Furthermore, it is a legacy and future that has enhanced the competitiveness of the capital Seoul and transformed citizens’ lives.

Now, as the corporation prepares for a new 50 years,

we meet at a time to inherit and sometimes overcome the achievements of the past half-century of the Seoul subway.

I will approach this role with the expectation of a transportation corporation that will take a leap forward.

The praise of being the world’s best subway,

I trust the capabilities and passion that built that history.

However, the reality Seoul Metro faces is not easy.

The already low fare compared to transportation costs is like a deep swamp we cannot escape no matter how hard we try.

The increasing trend of free rides was a foreseeable future due to changes in population composition.

We cannot prevent the emergence of competing transportation modes based on the latest technology.

But we must reflect on whether we have merely adapted to the given variables.

It is time to answer for ourselves how much we have listened to the role the Seoul subway must play as demanded by the times and citizens.

We must move in the direction pointed by citizens’ support and wishes.

Whenever I see the corporation, which was unfairly criticized just because it is the “citizens’ transportation,” my heart aches.

We must have endured harsh words due to protests by disability groups.

The October 29 tragedy demanded a greater social role from the subway,

and we had to explain many things as suspects.

Despite the difficult environment, you have done your best.

Yet, the corporation’s efforts and voices were unheard anywhere.

It is hard to have pride and confidence as a member of the corporation.

A transformation is needed.

We must pioneer the corporation’s role to fit the times.

We must boldly confront challenges with our capabilities.

Baekho, the newly appointed president of Seoul Metro, took a commemorative photo celebrating his inauguration with executives including Seong Jung-gi, Auditor; Kim Seong-ryeol, Head of Technology Headquarters; Kim Seok-ho, Head of Sales Headquarters; An Sang-deok, Head of Vehicle Headquarters; and Shim Jae-chang, Head of Safety Management Headquarters.

I hope the Seoul subway will be remembered as the first year of innovation,

and I promise the following.

First, safety is the highest value we must protect.

The Seoul subway, which has run tirelessly for 50 years, has aged as much as the weight of those years.

We will not spare investment in aging facilities and trains.

However, we will do it differently than before.

We will examine comprehensively whether there are unnecessary facilities or equipment wasting manpower and budget,

and whether there is room to proactively introduce advanced technology.

We will innovate safety linked to the 4th Industrial Revolution by reviewing past practices, systems, and working methods.

Rather than spending costs to maintain the status quo,

it is time to invest in designing the future.

Second, we will establish and implement the foundation for change and innovation.

A fare increase is expected soon.

However, it will fall short of our expectations,

and as the burden on citizens increases, management innovation is inevitable.

First, we will reduce excess through asset sales and work efficiency,

and stop unnecessary cost leaks. Improvement of habitual contract methods and innovation of work processes must follow.

We will also seek new growth engines. The mission citizens have given the corporation is not limited to operating the Seoul subway.

We must find functions and responsibilities befitting the corporation’s vision as a ‘comprehensive transportation company.’

We must boldly shift direction in response to changes in the times and environment, such as actively expanding business areas and promoting station area development projects with high potential.

Third, we will establish a fair organization.

We will never tolerate any acts that undermine organizational autonomy.

For personal gain rather than organizational benefit,

especially in personnel matters such as promotion, performance evaluation, and transfers, if external requests or use of interested parties occur, we will take strict action.

We will boldly reward and promote employees who work actively and dedicate themselves to the organization.

We will listen to diverse voices and reform personnel management methods so that excellent talents do not lose motivation or become complacent due to seniority culture.

Fourth, we will create a workplace where you can build a happy daily life.

Our workplace, where we spend the most time during the day,

will be a place where you can work proudly and confidently,

and a transportation corporation where you can demonstrate your creativity and expertise.

It is difficult to improve wages significantly as they are tied to government guidelines.

However, I promise to directly inspect working conditions such as rest facilities and make revolutionary improvements one by one starting from small things.

We will actively supplement welfare benefits that provide support when life is difficult and bring smiles and joy.

Believing that Seoul Metro exists because of you,

we will create a working environment befitting that role and cooperate with labor unions to deliver tangible results that employees can feel.

Dear executives and employees of Seoul Metro,

I am about to conclude my first greeting.

As soon as the inauguration ceremony ends today, I will go to the field.

I will greet employees face to face and listen to their voices.

After a long public service career, ending as Director of the Urban Transportation Office of Seoul City,

I am reconnecting with Seoul Metro like this.

With experience in both policy and field departments,

and leading Seoul City’s transportation policy,

I will bring external support and encouragement we need and sometimes be an umbrella protecting you from storms.