Congratulatory Flowers Sent to Budget Office Officials... "They Follow Departments, Not Ranks" [Gangwa in]

Congratulatory Orchids Once Reserved for Managers
Now Delivered to Budget Office Officials of High Importance
"When Managers Are Promoted, the First Floor Looks Like a Flower Garden"
Calls for Improvement of Customary Practices During Personnel Changes

Recently, several congratulatory orchids were delivered to the Budget Office officials of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, drawing attention. Since the Budget Office, which manages the nation's treasury, holds significant importance, this scene, usually seen during promotions of managers or higher, has now appeared during promotions of officials as well. Some voices have emerged calling for the improvement of the culture of sending congratulatory orchids and flowerpots as a customary practice during various personnel changes.

On the 27th, on the first floor of the Central Building of the Government Complex Sejong, where the Ministry of Economy and Finance is located, several congratulatory orchids such as moth orchids were recently delivered. As of the afternoon of the 25th, there were more than 20 congratulatory orchids, each adorned with ribbons bearing congratulatory messages, catching the eyes of passersby. Despite some being taken, a considerable number of congratulatory orchids were still waiting for recipients.

On March 25th, congratulatory orchids such as Phalaenopsis were delivered to the first floor of the Central Building at the Government Complex Sejong. Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Most of these congratulatory orchids were intended for officials belonging to the Budget Office of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. They also included officials promoted from the Budget Office. On the 24th, when the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced regular personnel appointments including promotions and transfers for assistant managers and officials, not only other government ministries but also various agencies, offices, public corporations, and local governments sent congratulatory orchids to the officials responsible for related budgets.

Officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance explained that it is a rare case for congratulatory orchids, which usually arrive during promotions of managers or higher, to be delivered to officials. Since the Budget Office, a core department of the Ministry, is responsible for drafting and managing the national budget, its importance is very high, leading many places to send congratulatory orchids to officials as part of management.

Official A from the Ministry said, "Usually, congratulatory orchids are received when there is a promotion at the level of director or general manager," adding, "It is rare for officials to receive them, and I have not heard of such cases." Manager B from the Ministry also mentioned, "In other bureaus, sometimes even directors and managers do not receive congratulatory orchids, let alone officials," and commented, "I think congratulatory orchids follow the position rather than the rank."

Some expressed concerns about the spread of the practice of sending congratulatory orchids during various personnel changes. After the enactment of the Kim Young-ran Act (Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft), such practices were restrained for a while but have gradually become customary again, prompting calls for review. In fact, the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education decided last month not to accept congratulatory orchids and flowerpots during the personnel season.

Assistant Manager C from the Ministry said, "When there was a major promotion of managers last month, so many congratulatory orchids and flowerpots were delivered that some joked the first floor looked like a flower garden." He added, "Since each institution head probably uses their business promotion expenses to send orchids, sending them every time there is a personnel change seems like a waste of budget," and noted, "There is a need to improve this practice that has become customary."