Why Suncheon tapped its youngest-ever chief of staff — at 38

Mayor Son Hun-mo: 'Being young doesn't mean lacking ability'

Son Hun-mo, 56, who began his term as Suncheon mayor under the ninth round of direct local elections, has drawn attention by appointing Jang Ji-man, 38, a Grade 6 team leader, as his chief of staff.

Suncheon City's personnel announcement Tuesday named Jang — who had served as head of the investment strategy team in the urban strategy division — as chief of staff, making him the youngest person to hold the position in the city's history.

Son told reporters at a meet-and-greet at the city hall briefing room Tuesday that he had chosen to fill the post from within the organization, rather than bringing in an outside hire, to ensure continuity and smooth communication with staff.

"Women make up the majority of civil servants at city hall, and employees in their 20s and 30s account for more than 50 percent of the workforce, so I looked for someone young with strong communication skills," Son said. "Chief Jang may be young, but that doesn't mean he lacks ability."

Jang, a graduate of Hyocheon High School and Chonnam National University, entered public service in 2016 through the Grade 7 open competitive examination and previously served as a personal aide to former Mayor Heo Seok.

He was promoted to Grade 6 in February 2021 and has since worked across multiple departments, including the sanitation resources division, the urban strategy division and the autonomous administration division.

"I feel the weight of this responsibility, but I will do my best to support the mayor and stay engaged with staff," Jang said. Kim Min-jeong, head of the content policy team, was separately appointed as secretary team leader.

After his inauguration ceremony Tuesday, Son joined facility management workers, security guards and cafeteria staff for lunch at the city hall canteen in an informal session he described as an opportunity for open communication.