"Prevent Early-Career Public Servant Attrition"... Namyangju City Expands Promotion Opportunities

Mayor Joo Gwang-deok: "We Will Revitalize the Organization by Creating a Joyful Work Environment"
Grade 9 Staff Reduced by 37, Grades 7-8 Increased by 42... To Be Implemented from Next Month's Personnel Changes
Strengthening Employee Psychological Counseling and Mentoring... Reducing Public Service Attrition

Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Gwang-deok) is focusing its administrative efforts on boosting the morale of junior public officials by expanding promotion opportunities.

Namyangju City Hall view. Provided by Namyangju City.

Namyangju City has taken the initiative to expand promotion opportunities for lower-ranking public officials to prevent young employees from leaving the public sector and to create conditions that allow them to focus on their work. By reducing the number of Grade 9 public officials and increasing the number of Grades 7 and 8, the city aims to resolve promotion bottlenecks and expand promotion opportunities for lower ranks.

According to the staffing adjustment plan approved by the city council on the 16th, the number of Grade 9 positions will decrease by 37 from 539 to 502, Grade 8 positions will increase by 6 to 558, and Grade 7 positions will increase by 36 to 658. This adjustment is scheduled to be implemented in the regular personnel appointment in January next year.

Additionally, Namyangju City has strengthened the ‘Employee Psychological Counseling Program’ that supports psychological stability through professional counseling. In April, a ‘Job Stress Survey’ was conducted targeting 1,062 Grade 8 and 9 employees to identify the level and causes of stress among staff. This year, the program has been expanded to 445 sessions, an increase of 65 sessions compared to the previous year.

The city also promoted the ‘Visiting Empathy Lunch,’ where the mayor directly listens to the opinions of Grade 9 employees working on the front lines of civil complaints in towns and townships. Over 10 sessions held this year, the meetings provided a relaxed atmosphere for sharing difficulties and discussing ways to improve organizational culture.

Alongside this, Namyangju City operated a mentoring program for new public officials in four sessions. Through this, the city provided psychological stability to enhance adaptation to public service life and supported activities for developing practical skills.

Moreover, Namyangju City has expanded the operation of summer resort facility support, integrated employee training, and experiential classes this year.

Mayor Joo Gwang-deok emphasized, “The staffing adjustment will sequentially expand promotion opportunities for junior employees. This will motivate the staff and serve as a great catalyst to invigorate the organization.”

He added, “We will continue to do our best to create an environment where Namyangju City public officials, including junior employees, feel stability and satisfaction and enjoy their work.”