Goryeong County Conducts Nation's First Joint Operation for Integrated Election Brochure Sorting and Dispatch in Towns and Townships

Goryeong County in North Gyeongsang Province has carried out the nation's first joint operation to integrate the sorting and dispatch of election brochures for all eight towns and townships within the county.

Goryeong County is conducting the nation's first joint production of election brochures integrating towns and townships. Photo by Goryeong County

The Goryeong County branch of the Korean Government Employees' Union, North Gyeongsang Headquarters, conducted a joint sorting and dispatch operation for election brochures covering the entire county on May 19 in the meeting room of the Goryeong County Sports Center, in preparation for the 21st presidential election.

This initiative was made possible after the North Gyeongsang Headquarters and the Goryeong County branch of the union requested improvements to election-related duties, held discussions with the provincial election commission, and received approval from the Goryeong County Election Commission.

Although election affairs are originally the exclusive responsibility of the election commission, public officials in local governments nationwide have had to take on election-related delegated tasks in addition to their regular duties, emergency shifts, and handling various civil complaints. The government employees' union has pointed out that these circumstances are worsening working conditions on the ground.

The Goryeong County branch explained that difficulties in securing personnel due to the aging population in rural areas, frequent disaster response, and the burden of election duties have all contributed to excessive workloads for public employees. The branch stated that this joint operation has provided an opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce labor intensity.

Kang Hyeonho, head of the Goryeong County branch of the Korean Government Employees' Union, emphasized, "Improving election-related duties is a task that can no longer be delayed." He added, "The union will continue to raise its voice to address the structural problems of election duties and to improve the working conditions of local government employees." He further stated, "Election affairs should be carried out directly by the election commission, and the practice of shifting these responsibilities onto local government employees must be changed."

Attention is now focused on whether this joint operation will be expanded to other local governments in the future.