Paju Hosts Nation's First "Mobile Mayor's Office" Meeting with Construction Workers
Visiting Hanulmaeul Heat Shelter... On-Site Inspection of Citizen Safety Amid Heatwave
City Implements Comprehensive Recording and Call Time System in Civil Complaint Office... Establishes Protection System for Public Officials
Mayor Kim Kyungil: "We Will Build a City that Respects Labor with Public Officials, Citizens, and Workers"
Paju Mayor Kim Kyungil is realizing "practical administration" by continuously communicating with various groups in the local community, such as construction workers, senior citizens, and public officials, and actively reflecting voices from the field in city governance. Mayor Kim is personally visiting sites to find answers, addressing issues ranging from the poor working conditions at labor sites, to the safety of seniors vulnerable to heatwaves, and the emotional labor experienced by public officials on the front lines of civil complaints.
Mayor Kim's field-oriented approach is being recognized as a new model of citizen-centered administration, as demonstrated by hosting the nation's first official meeting with construction workers to guarantee workers' rights and revitalize the local construction industry, strengthening citizen safety through on-site inspections of heat shelters, and preparing measures to protect civil servants from emotional labor through communication meetings with civil complaint officers.
Paju Mayor Kim Kyungil opened a "Mobile Mayor's Office" on the 22nd together with the National Federation of Trade Unions under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Korea Construction Industry Union, engaging in conversations with construction site workers. Provided by Paju City
◆ Hosting the Nation's First Official Meeting with Construction Workers
On July 22, Mayor Kim Kyungil opened a "Mobile Mayor's Office" together with the National Federation of Trade Unions under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Korea Construction Industry Union, engaging in open dialogue about major labor issues in the construction industry and ways to revitalize the local construction sector.
This event drew attention as the first official meeting between a local government head and construction site workers in Korea.
More than 300 people, including Choi Sangkeun, Chairman of the National Federation of Trade Unions under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Choi Hansoo, Head of Policy at the Korea Construction Industry Union, as well as executives and members from regional branches nationwide, attended the main auditorium of Paju Citizens' Hall, demonstrating the high level of interest and aspirations among construction workers.
Mayor Kim stated, "Creating a self-sufficient city where workers are respected and their rights are guaranteed is the key to local development," adding, "I will work to build a sustainable Paju where administration and labor grow together."
In response, Chairman Choi Sangkeun said, "The construction industry is the backbone of the Korean economy, but it still remains outside the system due to chronic issues such as the subcontracting structure, wage arrears, and tax evasion," and requested, "I hope we can work together to improve these problems."
Mayor Kim emphasized, "Taking this meeting as an opportunity, we will reflect the voices from construction sites in city governance and cooperate for tangible improvements in the working environment," and instructed relevant departments to maintain ongoing communication and efforts to improve systems.
Meanwhile, Paju City has continued its efforts to revitalize the local construction industry by revising the "Ordinance on Supporting the Revitalization of the Local Construction Industry" last year and strengthening cooperation systems with relevant departments and related organizations.
On the 21st, Mayor Kim Kyungil personally visited the heat shelter within 'Hanulmaeul 1st Complex I-Park' to prepare for the heatwave, checked the operation status, and engaged in conversations with residents. Photo by Paju City
◆ Visiting Hanulmaeul Heat Shelter... Checking Citizen Safety Amid Heatwave
On July 21, Mayor Kim Kyungil personally visited the heat shelter within "Hanulmaeul 1st Complex I-Park" to prepare for the heatwave and checked its operation status.
During his visit, Mayor Kim greeted each senior citizen using the shelter, thoroughly inspected the cooling facilities, hygiene conditions, and operating hours, and carefully listened to any inconveniences or requests for improvement from the seniors.
One senior citizen using the heat shelter expressed appreciation, saying, "I am grateful that the mayor visited the site and showed genuine concern. Being able to rest in a cool space despite the hot weather is a great help."
Mayor Kim stated, "As heavy rains and heatwaves caused by the climate crisis are repeated, citizen health and safety have become more important than ever," and added, "I will pay even closer attention to ensure that citizens in blind spots, such as seniors living alone and vulnerable groups, can stay healthy throughout the summer."
Mayor Kim Kyungil held the "2025 Communication Meeting with Civil Service Officers in Charge of Civil Complaints" with civil service officers in charge of civil complaints in Paju City on the 21st. Provided by Paju City
◆ Communication Meeting with Civil Complaint Officers... Strengthening Protection from Emotional Labor
On the same day, Paju City held the "2025 Communication Meeting with Civil Service Officers in Charge of Civil Complaints."
This meeting, attended by Mayor Kim Kyungil and 25 civil complaint officers, featured candid discussions about the difficulties experienced at civil complaint sites and possible improvements.
Participants raised their voices about the challenges of emotional labor, such as repetitive complaints, shouting, verbal abuse, and physical assault, and the need for appropriate responses. Mayor Kim encouraged their efforts and announced practical measures for their protection.
Paju City plans to strengthen its response to malicious complaints by fully implementing comprehensive recording of all conversations at the civil complaint office by the end of July, and operating a "20-minute recommended time system" for handling long phone complaints.
Mayor Kim stated, "Civil complaints are the point of contact between citizens and administration, and civil complaint officers are at the center of this process. Sustainable administration is only possible when public officials are respected. We will continue to enhance public trust by protecting and empowering our officials."
At the meeting, Paju City announced measures such as the full implementation of comprehensive recording in the civil complaint office (to be enforced by the end of July) and the introduction of the "recommended time system for complaint calls," which advises ending calls after 20 minutes. In particular, the city reaffirmed its principle of systematic, city-level response to malicious complaints, rather than relying on individual public officials to handle them alone.
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