Bae Kicheol, Chairman of Daegu Happiness Promotion Institute, achieved a "policy paradigm shift" and "organizational stabilization" of the institution, and stepped down from his post on the 26th.
Having taken office in July 2024, Chairman Bae elevated the concept of welfare from a simple safety-net-centered approach to "happiness," which focuses on the quality of life in citizens' everyday lives.
In particular, he declared last year to be "the first year of the policy paradigm shift from welfare to happiness," and integrated and structured existing projects in areas such as women, families, adolescents, youth, welfare, and lifelong education into a single "happiness frame." This attempt to transform "happiness," which had high resonance but was somewhat vague, into a concrete language of policy led other institutions and overseas entities (including Okinawa, Japan) to benchmark the initiative, enabling Daegu Happiness Promotion Institute to leap forward as a "happiness policy platform."
At the same time, he focused on stabilizing the organization and strengthening management fundamentals. By organizing a task force dedicated to grievances, alleviating wage gaps between ranks, and overhauling the performance evaluation system, the internal systems were streamlined. As a result, the institute is assessed to have achieved tangible improvements in indicators, such as a rise in internal organizational satisfaction compared to the previous year (up 3.7 points) and concurrent upgrades in the management evaluation ratings (for both the institution and its head) among funded and invested institutions. On the 24th, it also received the Grand Prize in the Innovation Management category at the "19th Korea Hanminjok Media Awards."
Chairman Bae Kicheol said in his retirement remarks, "Happiness policy is a key point in addressing various social challenges such as low birth rates and aging populations. I am convinced that through this, we can raise both the level of citizens' happiness and the policy stature of Daegu City by one step. I am grateful to all executives and staff members who have worked for organizational stability, and I hope that the institute will continue to develop as a truly integrated institution."
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