A post titled "The 9th elected term has launched with energy — can we dare to dream of an exciting work life?" has been circulating inside Gangnam District Office, drawing wide resonance among employees. Its author is Im Seong-cheol, chairman of the Gangnam District Office Integrated Civil Servant Labor Union.
As the 9th elected term officially gets under way, a post offering advice on organizational culture and workplace habits has been making the rounds among Gangnam District Office employees, drawing considerable attention.
The post, titled "The 9th elected term has launched with energy — can we dare to dream of an exciting work life?", has been circulating on the district office's internal network and has struck a chord with staff.
Its author is Im Seong-cheol, chairman of the Gangnam District Office Integrated Civil Servant Labor Union. Im noted that District Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi personally greeted employees arriving for work in front of the main building on Tuesday, the first day of the 9th elected term. "Regardless of whether it was staged, it was a rare sight — a leader stepping forward to meet employees first," Im said, offering a positive assessment.
<style ref="s1">Kim Hyeon-gi greets arriving employees on his first day; appointments of chief of staff, policy adviser and general affairs director also draw positive reviews.</style>
Im added that the gesture left a strong first impression for the new start, saying employees "were able to feel a friendly image rather than a stern one."
Drawing on his experience across multiple elected terms, Im said the 9th term was likely to follow a trajectory similar to the 5th, predicting that "a work-centered organizational culture will take hold once again."
He also pointed to the appointments of Chief of Staff Kim Hui-ju, Policy Adviser Kim Gwang-su and General Affairs Director Gong Seung-ho, saying the personnel choices suggested "a push for faster administration and a stronger focus on results."
Overall, Im assessed that District Mayor Kim had made an exceptionally strong start with his initial personnel decisions.
Im also shared several workplace tips for junior civil servants.
<style ref="s2">Junior civil servants advised to read district press releases regularly and stay informed on other departments' affairs.</style>
First, he stressed the importance of punctuality. "Managers evaluate employees' work attitudes from many angles, so arrival time and basic work conduct can be significant factors," Im said.
He also said employees should consistently read the district office's press releases to stay on top of policy issues and understand what other departments are doing.
"Press releases are the fastest way to track the progress of district policies and major projects," Im said. "Employees who understand the work of other departments tend to be stronger collaborators."
He offered a pointed critique of the 8th elected term, saying promotions had been handed out regardless of work performance, leaving employees uninterested in other departments' work and unable to collaborate effectively — to the point where neither residents nor staff could say what the district mayor had actually accomplished.
Im also identified greetings as one of the most important virtues in public service.
"An employee who smiles and says hello first is naturally remembered," he said. "A courteous attitude and a bright impression can have a positive effect not only on personal relationships but on life within the organization."
He advised newer civil servants not to feel pressured to deliver big results right away. "For those just starting out, staying true to the basics — diligence, sincerity and genuine interest in the organization — can itself become a competitive edge," Im said.
<style ref="s3">District mayor's inaugural address described as the key message for understanding how the organization will be run over the next four years.</style>
Im closed by urging all staff to read or listen to the district mayor's inaugural address. "It is the single most important message for understanding the direction of the organization over the next four years," he said.
As the 9th elected term begins, interest is running high both inside and outside Gangnam District Office over how the organizational atmosphere will shift. The post is being credited with giving employees a fresh occasion to reflect on organizational culture and the proper conduct of public servants.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
