Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Wu Sang-ho is widening his communication efforts, carrying the same open style he practiced in Yeouido into his new role in Gangwon Province.
Since Sept. 7, Wu has operated a direct-access channel called "Sangho Sotongbang" — a mutual communication room — within the provincial government's internal administrative system, lowering the threshold for staff to speak up. Any provincial office employee can use the channel to submit policy suggestions, grievances and requests, or reports of gapjil and sexual misconduct.
The channel operates on a strict anonymity principle, allowing staff to raise concerns without fear of being identified.
Ahead of the chuseok holiday, Wu took to the provincial office's internal broadcast system himself at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday to deliver a holiday greeting to employees.
"Over the past two months and more than 20 days, watching provincial civil servants work with sincerity and passion has given me the conviction that Gangwon Province can truly change," Wu said, expressing gratitude for his staff's efforts. To employees working through the chuseok holiday, he said, "Your dedication and hard work are the sturdy pillar that protects the comfortable lives of our residents," adding, "Wherever you are and whoever you are with, I hope you enjoy a happy and restful chuseok holiday."
Wu also plans to appear personally on a YouTube talk show to explain major provincial policy issues and lifestyle-related policies in an accessible way. The program will air every two weeks on YouTube, departing from conventional policy briefings to deliver information on issues and policies that residents are curious about in a more approachable talk-show format.
He also continues to hold monthly press briefings and engages in ad hoc communication to actively share the province's key policies and direction.
Starting next year, Wu will hold a series of town hall-style roundtables touring all 18 cities and counties in the province to further strengthen engagement with local communities.
Through these sessions, he aims to share the province's governing philosophy and key policy directions with local media and municipal governments, and to expand two-way communication by incorporating feedback gathered on the ground into provincial policy.
"Communication is not about talking a lot — it is about listening first and responding properly," Wu said. "I will listen broadly, from small suggestions by staff to opinions from the press and the voices of residents, and faithfully reflect them in policy." He added that he would "expand the communication that began inside the provincial office to online platforms and to the 18 cities and counties, building a provincial government that breathes closer to its people."
abc@heraldcorp.com
