Who Are the Gem-like Figures That Brightened Seoul?

Seoul City Senior Officials with Remarkable Records... Grade 1 Kim Seonsun, Female Policy Director, First Woman in Seoul City to Pass Administrative Exam... Lee Ingeun, Climate Environment Headquarters Director · Yoon Jongjang, Urban Transportation Director · Jeong Sanghun, Administrative Director · Lee Dongryul, Spokesperson · Choi Wonseok, Public Relations Planning Officer · Kim Seonsu, Deputy Mayor of Yongsan-gu · Lee Inmo, Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu · Ha Youngtae, Welfare Policy Manager... Choi Kwangbin, Former Green City Director, Ends 43 Years of Public Service

Seoul city officials are public servants who work day and night to improve the quality of life for the 10 million residents of Seoul.

Seoul City performs all functions except for defense and diplomacy, so the term "small government" is not inaccurate. The Mayor of Seoul is an elected official who wins many votes, second only to the president.

There are many public officials in Seoul who have set various records, big and small.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of the Women and Family Policy Office, is a first-grade female senior official and holds the record as the first woman in Seoul to pass the Administrative Examination (36th exam). Although it has become common for women to pass the administrative exam these days, Kim is the first woman in Seoul to have passed it. After graduating from the National Chonnam National University Law School, she passed the 36th Administrative Examination and rose to the first-grade level. She is not only highly skilled but also has strong leadership, making her a public official who can handle any task efficiently and is respected by many juniors. Especially trusted by women's groups, Kim also set a record with her daughter by both passing the administrative exam, marking a mother-daughter achievement.

Lee In-geun, Head of the Climate and Environment Headquarters, graduated from the University of Seoul and passed the Environmental Administrative Examination (36th exam). After holding key positions in the environmental field, he took on the role of Head of the Climate and Environment Headquarters, which had traditionally been held by administrative officials, and has been performing beyond expectations, maintaining a long tenure. This is evidence of recognition from Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Urban Transportation Office, graduated from Chungnam National University and passed the 37th Administrative Examination. He has served as the media officer for Seoul City, director of the University of Seoul's administrative office, deputy mayor of Gwangjin District, and head of the Han River Project Headquarters before becoming the director of the Urban Transportation Office. Yoon, known for his quick judgment, scored the highest in the competency evaluation conducted before his promotion to third grade. Although he faced personnel disadvantages during the previous mayor's term, after Mayor Oh's comeback, he was entrusted with the Han River Project Headquarters, a key project, and was reinstated as the head of Seoul's transportation policy.

Choi Kyung-joo, Director of the Culture Headquarters, graduated from the private Cheongju University and passed the 38th Administrative Examination. After joining Seoul City, she served as the director of the Paris Office and the Tourism and Sports Bureau. Choi is known for her considerate leadership style, quietly supporting her juniors, making her a senior official many want to work with.

Jung Sang-hoon, Director of the Administrative Bureau, graduated from the Korea National University of Education and passed the third local government examination. He started his public service career in Seoul City and also served as an administrative officer at the Blue House. After returning from the Blue House, he held positions such as safety officer and media officer before being promoted to third grade (Deputy Director). Jung is a key figure who served as Mayor Oh Se-hoon's executive secretary and, following the mayor's return to office in 2021 after a 10-year hiatus through the 7th local election, took on roles as chief secretary and administrative director. He is praised for supporting Mayor Oh with humility and adherence to principles.

Lee Dong-ryul, spokesperson, is a talented individual who graduated from Haenam High School and the University of Seoul, passing the third local government examination and the administrative examination. Although he once faced hardships, he has matured and made a successful comeback, effectively serving as Mayor Oh's spokesperson.

Choi Won-seok, Director of Public Relations Planning, also has a remarkable background. Starting as a grade 9 public official in his hometown, he resigned to study for the administrative exam, moved to Seoul, and passed the exam after studying day and night. After serving as media officer and other roles, he has been the third-grade Director of Public Relations Planning for over two years, enjoying strong trust from Mayor Oh.

Kim Seon-su, Deputy Mayor of Yongsan District, began his career as a grade 9 public official and rose to third grade, becoming the first female public official in Seoul to do so. Kim is recognized for her skills, having served as head of the personnel department and housing policy department, and is regarded as a passionate female public servant. Last year, when Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young was arrested due to the Itaewon tragedy, Kim quietly took on the role of acting district mayor.

Lee In-mo, Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, also has a unique background. Although starting as a grade 9 official, he has worked in the Blue House and the Yongsan Presidential Office under four administrations: Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, Moon Jae-in, and Yoon Suk-yeol. Due to his exceptional network, he was appointed Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District by Mayor Choi Ho-kwon in August last year and has been quietly fulfilling his duties as a problem solver. He also enrolled in the doctoral program in Police Administration at Dongguk University last year and is dedicated to his studies.

Among department heads, Ha Young-tae, head of the Welfare Policy Department, is a quiet public official who graduated from Kyung Hee University, ran a fruit store, and later passed the 49th Administrative Examination. He has handled many welfare-related tasks in Seoul City.

Among retirees, former Director Choi Kwang-bin of the Green City Bureau stands out. Passing the forestry administrative examination, Choi began his public service career in Seoul City in 1980. A graduate of Chungbuk National University, he served as Director of the Green City Bureau under both Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Mayor Park Won-soon, playing a major role in creating key parks such as the Dream Forest in Northern Seoul. After retiring as a director of Seoul City, he was scouted by Nowon District Mayor Oh Seung-rok and served as director for over five years before retiring last month, setting a record of 34 years in public service.

Among Seoul's senior officials, many remarkable public servants have risen to their current positions not from prestigious universities but from local universities or starting as grade 9 officials, making them inspirational figures.