Why Did the Promotional Official Achieve Continuous Success?

Seoul City Spokesperson and Re-elected Ryoo Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu
Former Press Officer Yoon Jong-jang Appointed Welfare Director
Lee Soo-yeon, Director of Garden City Bureau, Rated as a 'Highly Competent Senior Official'

Why are public relations officers thriving among Seoul city officials?

It is noteworthy that many public officials who have served as spokespersons, press officers, public relations managers, and media team leaders in Seoul city and its autonomous districts are promoted and assigned to key positions.

In Seoul city, Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Transportation (Grade 1), and Lee Soo-yeon, Director of the Garden and Urban Bureau (Grade 2), both appointed as Welfare Directors, come from press officer backgrounds.

Both Director Yoon and Director Lee are well known as 'high-ranking Seoul city officials who work well,' possessing outstanding planning skills and excellent execution capabilities.

Ryu Kyung-gi, the current re-elected Mayor of Jungnang-gu, also served as a spokesperson in the past before holding positions such as Administrative Director, Planning Office Director, and First Deputy Mayor of Administration. Mayor Ryu is recognized by residents for his competence and character, having established an unassailable 'stronghold' in Jungnang-gu.

Additionally, Kang Tae-woong, the current regional chairman of the Democratic Party in Yongsan-gu, entered politics after serving as spokesperson, Administrative Director, Planning Office Director, and First Deputy Mayor of Administration. Despite two failed general elections, he is preparing for the future.

This shows that even in Seoul city, those with backgrounds as spokespersons and press officers are highly likely to be assigned to key positions.

This is because they are administrative examination passers who have deep insight into Seoul city administration and also possess political sensibility.

This phenomenon is similarly observed in Seoul's autonomous districts.

In particular, Mapo-gu draws attention as all of its directors?Lee In-sook, Director of Administrative Support Bureau; Park Sang-soo, Director of Environment and Greenery Bureau; Song In-soo, Director of Education and Sports Bureau; Nam Sun-ok, Director of Transportation and Construction Bureau; and Lee Yeon-hwa, Director of Tourism and Economy Bureau?come from public relations backgrounds.

Director Lee In-sook previously served as media team leader and public relations manager; Director Park Sang-soo was head of the public relations planning team; Director Song In-soo served as media team leader and public relations media manager; Director Nam Sun-ok was a public relations manager.

Director Lee Yeon-hwa is a capable official who served as press officer in Seongbuk-gu during the 4th elected term and then moved to Seoul city in the 5th elected term, gaining experience in various departments.

Also, Lee Ki-yeon, media team leader, was promoted to Grade 5 at the end of this year and was appointed as the head of Seongsan 2-dong, the largest neighborhood in Mapo-gu.

Thus, in Mapo-gu, public relations officers are notably promoted and assigned to key positions, drawing interest in the background behind this trend.

This is interpreted as being because they are recognized by Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, who is running the field with tremendous passion, combining sincerity, exceptional sensibility, and proactive work response abilities.

A Mapo-gu executive expressed envy, saying, “Seeing that all those who have passed through the public relations department are positioned as directors, it seems they have learned a lot in the public relations department.”