Kim Hyuk, current Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu - Lee Gye-yeol, current Deputy Mayor of Mapo-gu - Jo Young-chang, Director - Jo Sung-ho, Manager, all promoted to Grade 3 consecutively in the General Affairs Division... General Affairs Division, responsible for building management and protocol, is a key position ensuring Seoul City operates properly
The General Affairs Director of Seoul City holds a challenging position that supports not only the main office but also annex buildings and the mayor's official residence, ensuring safety management and protocol so that the Seoul Mayor, Deputy Mayor, department heads, and all staff can perform their roles effectively.
Because of this, they must remain constantly vigilant from early morning until late at night to prevent any issues, making it a demanding role that can be physically exhausting if held for more than a year. Especially, defending the city hall during protests is one of the most critical responsibilities.
This demanding department head position in General Affairs is the stepping stone to promotion to Grade 3 (Director level), often referred to as the 'star' among public officials.
Following Kim Hyuk, the current Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, Lee Gye-yeol, the current Deputy Mayor of Mapo-gu, and Director Jo Young-chang, the newly promoted Grade 3 Director Jo Seong-ho is the fourth consecutive official to advance from this position.
Shin Jong-woo, the current Deputy Mayor of Nowon-gu, and Kim Hye-jung, the current Executive Vice President of Seoul Medical Center, also come from the General Affairs Director position.
Kim Hyuk, the current Deputy Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu and a Seoul City University Grade 7 recruit, served as General Affairs Director for over a year before being promoted to Grade 3 and appointed as Safety General Manager. Since January this year, he has quietly and practically supported Mayor Choi Ho-gwon of Yeongdeungpo-gu.
Kim’s successor as Deputy Mayor is Lee Gye-yeol, the current Deputy Mayor of Mapo-gu. Also a Seoul City University Grade 7 recruit, Lee served as Audit Officer before being assigned as General Affairs Director, where he worked for one year. After his promotion to Grade 3, he moved to Mapo-gu and has been supporting key projects of Mayor Park Gang-su, including the creation of the Hongdae Red Road. Lee is set to enter retirement at the end of the year, much to the regret of the staff.
Following Lee, Director Jo Young-chang, currently undergoing training at the Korea Institute for National Unification, is the next in line. Jo started as a Grade 9 tax official in Gangbuk-gu and achieved an unprecedented promotion to Grade 5 within 10 years. While serving as the city’s Logistics Policy Director, he supported the successful advancement of the Yangjae-dong logistics center project, leading to his appointment as General Affairs Director. A famous anecdote from his tenure is his initiative to include Andong salted mackerel in the city hall cafeteria menu.
The newly promoted Grade 3 Director Jo Seong-ho graduated from Hanyang University and began his public service career in Seongdong-gu as a Grade 7 open competitive recruit. After transferring to Seoul City and serving as Tourism Policy Director, he earned the honor of promotion to Grade 3 just one year after becoming General Affairs Director. Director Jo expressed gratitude to his staff, saying, “The General Affairs team’s outstanding capabilities and seamless coordination make it possible to respond effectively to sudden issues.” He also emphasized, “Without the dedication of the General Affairs staff, it would be difficult for the organization to function.”
The General Affairs Department, which oversees the General Affairs Team, Facility Management Team, Protocol Team, and Communications Team, plays a crucial supporting role with no less important division.
Because of this, there is already keen interest in who will be appointed as the next General Affairs Director.
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