After Retiring with Honor as Director of the Gangnam Waterworks Office,
Kim Gibong, Renowned for His Exceptional Interpersonal Skills,
Is Scouted as Secretary-General of the Gyeonggi Academy Foundation
Forty years ago, a poor young man from rural Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, moved to Seoul and became a city official after studying at a Noryangjin academy while cleaning blackboards. At that time, due to difficult family circumstances, it was not uncommon for young people to graduate from high school in the countryside, come up to Seoul, work jobs like newspaper delivery, pass the grade 9 civil service exam, and eventually rise to the rank of grade 4 (director) in a Seoul city district office.
Moon Seongsu, former Director of Planning and Finance at Seongdong District, still maintains his connection with Director Kim, as they both studied at the Noryangjin academy and passed the grade 9 exam together. Similarly, Kim Jungon, former Director of Administrative Management at Seongdong District?who is recognized as a model public servant for his unwavering dedication and who served as the lifelong chief secretary to former Seongdong District Mayor Ko Jaedeuk?shares a similar story. Both Kim Jungon and Moon Seongsu now run the "Meotjinchingu Administrative Services Joint Office" in Seongdong District.
Additionally, Yoo Youngjun, former Director of Finance at Yongsan District, and Sun Hyuncheol, current Director of Planning and Economy at Gwanak District, also came to Seoul, lived together in a dormitory in Gangnam District, worked as newspaper deliverymen, and rose to the rank of grade 4 civil servants.
Even after retirement, these individuals have successfully embarked on a second chapter of their lives, working as administrative agents or residential-commercial complex housing managers.
Director Kim Gibong, who also studied for the civil service exam while working during the day and studying at night, was recognized for his abilities at Seoul Metropolitan Government and was recently recruited as the Secretary-General of the Gyeonggi Academy Foundation, drawing attention. Notably, Kim, known for his exceptional interpersonal skills, is very close with Kim Heegap, Deputy Mayor of Seongdong District; Yoo Bohwa, former Deputy Mayor of Seongdong District; and Sa Changhun, Director of Housing Policy at Seoul Metropolitan Government, all of whom have backgrounds in human resources. He has served in various key positions, including Director of Taxi Policy, Director of Logistics Policy, and Director of Balanced Development Policy, demonstrating his ability to successfully tackle difficult assignments. He is also known as a well-connected official who served as Director of Administration in Eunpyeong District. During his tenure as Director of Administration in Eunpyeong District, he reportedly earned the special trust of Mayor Kim Mikyung.
Director Kim is highly regarded for his outstanding ability to build relationships with both colleagues and superiors. After retiring with honor as Director of the Gangnam Waterworks Office last month, he was recruited by the Gyeonggi Academy Foundation, successfully beginning the second chapter of his career and drawing the envy of those around him.
It appears that his willingness to support not only his colleagues but also petitioners during his time as a Seoul city official contributed to securing such a favorable position after retirement. One Seoul city executive commented, "Former Director Kim is a master of relationships, treating not only his superiors but also colleagues and subordinates with equal respect," adding, "Thanks to these qualities, he was invited to a good position even after retirement."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
