Started as a grade-9 civil servant, spent 13 years in sanitation — now heads administration under the 9th elected district government
Ko Dong-seok, director of administration at Jongno-gu, is a specialist in sanitation administration, having spent more than 13 years overseeing the work.
After graduating from high school in Gwangju, Ko passed the Seoul Metropolitan Government's grade-9 civil servant exam and began his career at Seongbuk-gu District Office before transferring to Jongno-gu, where he spent years on the front lines of sanitation administration.
Following his promotion to grade 4 in July 2024, he served as director of the culture and environment bureau and then director of the planning and economy bureau. He was then appointed director of administration — the office that oversees the district's key departments — when the 9th elected district government took office. The appointment came despite a change in district mayor.
Ko quietly supports Jongno-gu District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong from behind the scenes whenever the mayor meets with residents.
Colleagues attribute the trust Ko has built over the years to his humble manner and the way he treats people. His long experience working alongside frontline sanitation staff is also considered one of his strengths.
Two years ago, when a sunbae (senior colleague) who had no children passed away, Ko took leave and stepped in as chief mourner, staying by the deceased's side until the end. The gesture left a strong impression on those around him.
Ko is the third of four brothers. His eldest brother serves as a bureau director at Gangbuk-gu District Office, while his younger brother heads the autonomous administration division there. The siblings are close and look after family matters together.
"Director Ko Dong-seok is a civil servant of good character whom his colleagues trust," a senior official at Jongno-gu District Office said.
There appears to be good reason why Ko has earned such high regard as a public servant.
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