Former deputies of Jungnang-gu chief go on to lead key Seoul city posts

A string of former deputy district mayors who served under Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi have gone on to hold prominent positions at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, drawing attention to the district chief's track record of developing talent.

Lee Su-yeon, former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's economy bureau; Yeo Jang-kwon, the city's current transportation bureau chief; Kim Tae-hee, former head of the city's culture bureau; and Jeong Jin-woo, the city's current welfare bureau chief — all passed through Jungnang-gu as deputy district mayor before taking on major city roles.

The current deputy district mayor, Jeong Sang-taek, is himself a seasoned borough administrator who previously served as deputy district mayor of Mapo-gu, among other posts.

Ryu, too, is a career administrator, having served as Seoul Metropolitan Government spokesperson, head of the general administration bureau, head of the planning and coordination office, and first deputy mayor for administration.

The connection is notable because the district mayor and his deputies shared hands-on experience tackling Jungnang-gu's pressing issues — each having worked on both the city government and borough sides of Seoul's administration.

Lee Su-yeon, described by colleagues as an ideas person and Ryu's first deputy district mayor, is credited with helping lay the groundwork for the district's policy agenda. She went on to serve as director of Seoul Grand Park, welfare planning officer, acting welfare bureau chief, head of the garden city bureau and, ultimately, head of the economy bureau. Her tenure leading the garden city bureau was particularly notable: she organized the Seoul International Garden Expo and played a central role in shaping Seoul's identity as a garden city. She is now a visiting professor at the University of Seoul and plans to take on education in the garden sector starting next year.

Transportation Bureau Chief Yeo Jang-kwon built his career in the city's transportation sector before moving through the climate and environment bureau chief role and into his current post.

Former Culture Bureau Chief Kim Tae-hee began his public-service career in Jungnang-gu and later returned to the district as deputy district mayor. He subsequently held posts including head of the city's initiative for supporting the vulnerable, director of the public health bureau and head of the culture bureau.

Welfare Bureau Chief Jeong Jin-woo, a welfare specialist, spearheaded the development of Jungnang-gu's flagship integrated welfare platform, a community care network known as "Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet." Built on that platform, the district has woven a dense neighborhood support network in which residents actively look in on and care for one another. A related program focused on connecting neighbors through everyday care has seen participation grow 77.8 percent from last year to about 27,000 people this year. Jeong served as the city's welfare planning officer before becoming Jungnang-gu deputy district mayor, then returned to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, serving as head of the lifelong education bureau before taking his current post.

Current Deputy District Mayor Jeong Sang-taek served as a division chief, bureau director and deputy district mayor in Mapo-gu before joining Ryu in Jungnang-gu.

Their career achievements cannot be attributed to Ryu alone — each built expertise through years of service at the city government and in the boroughs, and that foundation is what led to their senior appointments. Still, the experience of working through real borough challenges alongside a district mayor with deep knowledge of Seoul's administrative machinery is an undeniable part of their professional story.

As the Korean saying goes, "There are no weak soldiers under a great general." With one former deputy after another moving into key city posts, Ryu's ability to bring out the best in people and manage an organization is drawing fresh attention.

"I feel proud that the deputy district mayors who worked with me are playing outstanding roles at the city level," Ryu said, adding that he hopes even greater achievements lie ahead for them.