Namwon-si Changes Responsible System from Individual to Team... Full Effort for Organizational Reform

Namwon City in Jeonbuk changed the 'Damdang' (in charge) system to a 'team system' through the regular personnel reshuffle in the second half of 2023.

According to the city on the 28th, the 'Damdang' system was a sub-unit system divided according to work within a department, led by a 'Damdang' who acted as a middle manager between the department head, the manager, and the relevant staff.

Namwon City Hall. [Photo by Namwon City]

However, the term 'Damdang' was rarely used even among public officials. Both citizens and public officials mainly used the term 'Gyejang' (section chief) rather than 'Damdang.' The system operation also remained a vertical bureaucracy between the Damdang and the relevant staff.

The city decided to operate a 'team system' to break down vertical barriers within the organization and maximize organizational flexibility and efficiency by broadly utilizing talented and professional personnel in an autonomous environment. Accordingly, the position formerly called 'Damdang' or commonly 'Gyejang' will be changed to 'Team Leader.'

Mayor Choi Kyung-sik said, "Through the change to the team system, we will enhance communication and cooperation among team members, improving work efficiency and expertise, thereby accelerating the achievement of Namwon City's vision and goals in the 8th term of the elected government."

Namwon = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jeong Young-gwon baekok@asiae.co.kr