Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su joins staff at the district office Friday morning for the "Clean Chuseok" integrity campaign, spreading pledges to refuse holiday gifts, avoid drunk driving and foster a culture of mutual respect — while integrity letters go out to contractors and a gift-return center operates through Sept. 27.
"We will build a public service culture that upholds principles and puts integrity into practice every day."
Those were the words of Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su, who greeted employees arriving for work at the district office main building, public health center and annex Friday morning as part of an integrity campaign ahead of the chuseok holiday.
Held under the theme "Share only warm hearts, not gifts — a clean holiday," the campaign was designed to head off corruption risks that tend to surface around major holidays — including the exchange of money or entertainment and drunk driving — and to encourage staff to reflect on the importance of integrity and public-service discipline.
District officials fanned out holding placards bearing the campaign's message, alerting employees to three key pledges to keep around the holiday: refusing to give or receive holiday gifts, refraining from excessive drinking and not driving under the influence, and fostering a workplace culture of mutual respect free of gapjil. District Mayor Jeon himself joined the effort, personally handing arriving employees leaflets carrying the integrity message.
In addition, the district is taking the campaign beyond its own walls. Integrity letters have been sent to contractors and others involved in public works and service contracts, calling on them to join the "no holiday gifts" pledge and conveying Seocho public servants' commitment to handling all business fairly and transparently even during the holiday season.
The district has also designated the three-week period from Sept. 7 through Sept. 27 as an "intensive integrity practice period," during which a gift-return center will operate so that any employee who receives a gift from a work-related party or professional association can report it immediately. Gifts received will be returned to the sender by the audit office without delay; if a return proves difficult, the item will be handled according to relevant procedures.
"Through the 'Clean Seocho Campaign,' I hope a culture of sharing only warm hearts — not gifts — will take root across the organization this holiday season," District Mayor Jeon said. "Going forward, we will continue to uphold the principles that public servants must follow, reflect on the value of integrity, and build a public service culture that puts those values into daily practice."
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