Ministry of Justice '2023 Crime Prevention Awards' Ceremony
Minister Han Holding a Flag in the Corner for a Photo
Personally Practicing 'Creating a Horizontal Organizational Culture'
Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon’s group photo taken at the '2023 Crime Prevention Awards Ceremony' is gaining attention among passport supporters. Unlike the usual practice where the head of an organization stands in the center for photos, Minister Han stood at a less visible corner, taking on the role of holding the flag.
Photo from the '2023 Crime Prevention Awards' ceremony. Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, is holding a flag unfolded in a corner. [Photo by Ministry of Justice]
The photo was taken at the '2023 Crime Prevention Awards' ceremony held on the 27th at the Government Complex Gwacheon. This ceremony is hosted by the Ministry of Justice to honor institutions and individuals who have contributed to the establishment and development of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea.
On that day, Minister Han said, "I extend my deep gratitude and congratulations to the awardees who have dedicated their lives to preventing crime in local communities," adding, "I ask everyone to continue their efforts for the safety of the people with a shared commitment to crime prevention, and I will do my best to ensure that volunteers and colleagues can carry out their activities with pride and fulfillment."
Photo from the '2023 Crime Prevention Awards' ceremony. Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, is taking photos from a corner. Photo by Ministry of Justice
After the awards, in the group photo taken with 37 awardees and others, Minister Han stood at the far left edge holding the flag open. Generally, the head of the organizing body takes the center position in group photos, but this time, breaking convention, he took a corner spot.
Minister Han Personally Practices 'Creating a Horizontal Organizational Culture'
(Left) Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, is seen holding an umbrella over his aides at the National Assembly last June. (Right) In August 2021, Kang Sung-guk, then Deputy Minister of Justice, is seen during a briefing while an official kneels behind him holding an umbrella. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Minister Han’s choice of position is analyzed as an extension of his focus on 'creating a horizontal organizational culture' since his inauguration.
Since his appointment in May 2022, Minister Han has emphasized a horizontal organizational culture and abolished unnecessary formalities. He instructed not to use the honorific suffix 'nim' when addressing executives including ministers and vice ministers, and banned the protocol of employees opening and closing the official car doors during commuting. Recently, he also ordered the abolition of unnecessary etiquette rules among correctional officers, such as subordinates following their superiors from the left side or one step behind.
Minister Han’s efforts to break authoritarianism do not stop there. For example, he made headlines by flying business class instead of first class on overseas trips.
Also, in June, on a rainy day, after getting off the official car to attend a National Assembly plenary session, he was praised for holding an umbrella over his aides as they walked together, showing that he was giving protocol rather than receiving it.
This has drawn online attention as a contrast to the 'emperor protocol' controversy involving then Vice Minister Kang Sung-guk in August 2021.
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