2025 Korea New Intellectuals
Recognizing Individuals Who Contributed to Social Development
Bae Haeseok, Mayor of Seongju-eup, has been selected as the first recipient from Seongju County for the '2025 Korea New Intellectuals (Public Officials Category)'.
The Korea New Intellectuals program is an annual system operated by the Korea New Intellectuals Association (Chairman Kwon Kijae), a non-profit corporation, which recognizes individuals in various fields who do not merely accumulate knowledge but apply it in the field to create value, improve systems, and achieve innovative results.
Since its inception in 1999, when Shim Hyungrae was selected as the first recipient, others such as former National Assembly member Kim Dugwan and Park Junghyun, Mayor of Buyeo County, have also been recognized.
Mayor Bae began his public service career in 1993 with his first assignment in Yongam-myeon. By pursuing proactive, field-oriented administration, and serving as the head of corporate support for three years from 2012, he led the abolition of the designation restricting factory establishment in Seongju County. This resulted in attracting numerous companies, 24 billion KRW in investment, and the creation of over 200 jobs in Seongju County.
Additionally, while serving as head of transportation for two years from 2016, he became known as a problem-solving public official by converting a frequently congested market street into a one-way road, thereby improving traffic flow and resolving ongoing complaints.
As a result, he was recognized as a contributor to local regulatory reform and received the Okjo Geunjeong Medal, a presidential commendation.
He was also ranked first for three consecutive years in the 'Executive Official Employees Most Want to Work With' selection, which is organized by the Seongju County Public Officials Labor Union and comprehensively evaluates teamwork, integrity, leadership, sense of responsibility, and humility. After being appointed Mayor of Seongju-eup in 2022, he has continued to implement administrative innovation directly impacting residents' lives, contributing to Seongju-eup receiving the top award in administrative performance evaluation in 2022, the grand prize in 2023, the top award again in 2024, and the excellence award in 2025.
On December 15, Mayor Bae attended the '2025 Korea New Intellectuals' certification ceremony held at the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He stated, "This recognition was not achieved by my efforts alone, but thanks to the employees and residents who worked together with me in the field," adding, "I will continue to do my utmost for regional development and the well-being of our residents using my abilities."
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