"The Deputy District Heads of Seoul's Autonomous Districts Are a Great Blessing in the Hallway"

Seoul's 25 District Deputy Mayors Appointed as High-Ranking Officials at Seoul City Departments to Support Elected Mayors by Bridging Seoul City and Central Government Tasks; Emphasis on Smooth Communication with Staff as Key Virtue

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and its 25 autonomous districts form a community working together for the welfare of Seoul citizens.

When Seoul creates broad policies in welfare, transportation, employment, women and family, and youth, the execution of these policies is mostly the responsibility of the district offices, which are the autonomous districts. In particular, Seoul is evaluated to have stronger policy enforcement power than central government ministries due to the presence of autonomous districts that function like its arms and legs.

Meanwhile, elected officials such as the Seoul Mayor and district heads set the direction for city and district administration, but the actual execution is carried out by the city’s bureau chiefs and the district deputy heads and staff.

Most deputy heads of Seoul’s autonomous districts enter the Seoul government through civil service exams or general exams and rise to senior executive levels of grade 3 (Deputy Director General) or grade 2 (Director General). These executives are assigned to districts and act as intermediaries communicating with Seoul city and central government ministries to realize the district head’s policy pledges. Especially, when a deputy district head gains the trust of the district head, they wield considerable influence as the second-in-command of the organization. On the other hand, deputy district heads in such positions must work closely with bureau and section chiefs to support the district head’s administrative direction, a challenging role. Therefore, if they perform their roles quietly and effectively, they receive good evaluations, but if not, they often have short tenures and return to the city government.

Among these challenging deputy district heads, some maintain communication with district executives even after retirement.

Seocho District’s Deputy Head Kim Taemyung was appointed by District Head Jeon Seongsu in January this year and quietly supports the previous district head’s administration, receiving good evaluations not only from the district head but also from lower-level staff. One executive said, “Mayor Jeon Seongsu of the 8th elected term has such a great character, and with Deputy Head Kim Taemyung’s appointment in the second year, Seocho District is experiencing the best working environment in its history,” expressing gratitude.

In Eunpyeong District, Deputy Head Kim Jaeyong took office on July 1 this year. Having previously served as Deputy Head of Dobong District, Kim is now serving his second term as deputy head, demonstrating deep understanding of the work and showing a modest attitude without demanding protocol, earning good evaluations from District Head Kim Mikyung and executives. Since the inauguration of Mayor Kim Mikyung in the 7th elected term, Eunpyeong District has seen a succession of deputy heads?Kim Hyejung, Shin Jongwoo, and Kim Jaeyong?who communicate well with staff, creating a positive workplace atmosphere.

In Nowon District, Deputy Head Shin Jongwoo took office on July 1 this year, succeeding former Deputy Head Kim Incheol, who served for over four years, and has received good evaluations. Shin was highly regarded for both work ability and character in Eunpyeong District, which reassured Nowon District executives even before his appointment. A district executive said, “Since the previous deputy head was retiring, there was interest in who would succeed him, and when rumors spread that the well-regarded Shin Jongwoo would come, the atmosphere improved greatly.”

In Gwangjin District, the first deputy head of the 8th elected term, Baek Ilheon, completed his two-year term and was promoted to Director of the Seoul Human Resources Development Institute, and Yoon Jaesam, Seoul’s Welfare Planning Officer, was appointed as deputy head. Yoon had served as the chief of the main team under District Head Kim Kyungho when Kim was Director of Seoul’s Welfare and Health Office, so they are known to work well together. Yoon has continued the good communication with executives established by predecessor Baek Ilheon, earning positive evaluations from staff. A district executive said, “Both former Director Baek Ilheon and Deputy Head Yoon Jaesam have excellent characters, making it a good place to work.”

In Seodaemun District, Kang Jihyun, Director of Seoul’s Public Medical Support Promotion Team, was appointed deputy head in July this year. Kang is known for good communication with executives.

In Seongbuk District, Deputy Head Choi Kyungjoo, who previously served as Director of Seoul’s Cultural Headquarters, has been appointed and is upgrading work while maintaining harmonious relationships with staff.

Many other deputy district heads are also adapting to changing times by emphasizing communication and working closely with staff to support district administration, unlike in the past. A Seoul autonomous district executive said, “Looking at past deputy heads, those who communicated well continue to meet even after retirement, maintaining personal relationships.” This implies that those who do not communicate well may face loneliness after leaving public service. Especially since communication is considered the most important virtue in the public sector, deputy district heads who communicate well tend to receive favorable evaluations both inside and outside the organization.