What Is the Meaning Behind Im Seong-cheol, Head of Tonggongno Gangnam Branch, Expressing Gratitude to Jung Soon-gyun, Mayor of Gangnam District?

On the 9th, Branch Manager Lim posted on the union bulletin board titled '2020 Year of the Rat Integrated Labor Union Gangnam Branch's Resolution,' outlining key focus areas for the year and expressing gratitude to District Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun... During his time at the Public Relations Office, he was praised as a 'top press officer' for writing excellent press releases and maintaining good relations with reporters, showcasing his skills impressively.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 9th, Im Seong-cheol, head of the Gangnam-gu branch of the Integrated Public Officials Labor Union, attracted attention by posting an article titled "Resolution of the Gangnam-gu Branch of the Integrated Labor Union for the Year of the Rat 2020" on the union bulletin board.

Usually, when a public officials union branch head is in conflict with the executive team, it is common to take a stance focused solely on struggle.

However, on this day, Branch Head Im began with a New Year's greeting, saying, "As we welcome the 37th year of the 60-year sexagenary cycle, the Year of the Rat (Gyeongja Year), I wish all rat-sign union members a prosperous year, and I also wish all other members a healthy new year."

He continued, "It has already been two years since the Gangnam-gu branch of the Integrated Public Officials Labor Union started with three executives on May 29, 2018," and showed courtesy by expressing gratitude to Gangnam-gu Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun, saying, "Since the establishment of the union, we have been fortunate to have the labor union recognized and actively supported by Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun of the 7th local government administration."

He also proudly stated, "(Thanks to Mayor Jeong's decision) employee welfare has reached the highest level nationwide, and personnel affairs have also entered a normal trajectory," and reflected, "Looking back to the 6th local government administration, it was a terrible organization with nothing to boast about working at Gangnam-gu Office due to unreasonable and mechanical personnel mobilization, unfair work orders, unnecessary meeting materials preparation, and unfair personnel systems."

Moreover, he said that each department was caught in a vicious cycle of labor, where employees had to work desperately under managers who only cared about themselves and their promotion ambitions.

The fatigue of employees caused by poor working conditions led to frequent leaves of absence, which in turn increased the workload on remaining colleagues, concentrating work on promotion candidates or creating an organizational culture where no one wanted to share tasks. The sense of victimization from "I am the only one working" dampened enthusiasm for work, cut off communication with employees, and fostered workplace selfishness where employees only fulfilled their working hours and left, which he lamented.

Branch Head Im stated, "Work requires appropriate compensation and rest. I believe a labor union is necessary to guarantee these," and argued, "The position and attitude of public officials should also change with the times."

He emphasized, "In the past, public officials had to guard the country day and night due to frequent wars, but now they must sacrifice and serve for the welfare of the people. In addition to loyalty and a sense of mission to the country as professional public officials, the duty to support their families as heads of households has been added."

Accordingly, wages should be calculated based on a four-person household, and various allowances should be paid realistically. He also said that creating a workplace atmosphere conducive to work and improving working conditions are most important, and a fair organizational culture that respects individual abilities is also required.

Therefore, the Gangnam-gu Office Integrated Union believes that some results have been achieved in employee welfare and organizational culture has improved since 2018, and plans to encourage employee union membership in 2020.

Now that various employee welfare benefits are provided through union activities and the union's voice has grown within the office, they ask employees to join the labor union.

Branch Head Im said, "If all employees join the union like in other districts, no one will ask separately if you are a member or see you differently, and there will be no disadvantages in personnel matters. This is also a promise made by the mayor during our meeting."

He added, "Except for one employer at Gangnam-gu Office, everyone else is a worker providing labor. Please do not be mistaken that your position as a manager means you are an employer. Also, do not think that working in a major or powerful department means you are recognized by the organization," emphasizing, "The real power in the office can change at any time, and that is life."

Branch Head Im said, "Before 2018, no one believed a labor union would be established and operate properly at Gangnam-gu Office, and many employees' fates have changed due to union formation. Do not live worrying about whether joining the union will be a burden to those in power or watching your step. From the union's perspective, such a person is not seen as a loyal and sincere member but as a cunning person loyal only to certain individuals. Among colleagues, you will be perceived as a soulless public official and will be responded to with multi-faceted evaluations during your promotion."

If you have not yet joined a union, please choose one of the multiple unions within Gangnam-gu Office and join. The Integrated Public Officials Labor Union and the National Public Officials Labor Union are active.

He briefly explained the Integrated Union as a member-centered policy union established on June 16, 2015, a competent union with about 20,000 members, mainly engaging in labor policy through consultations with the Ministry of Personnel Management.

Within Gangnam-gu Office, the Integrated Union has 83 members: 33 at grade 6 or higher, 42 at grade 7 or lower, and 8 fixed-term employees. Union activities avoid gatherings of members other than executives, and physical events are prohibited.

In the understaffed Gangnam-gu Office, taking time off for union activities that harm colleagues or neglect one's duties is neither desirable nor welcomed. Especially, physical events are outdated labor activities that must be eliminated and are not tolerated.

Instead, team leaders at grade 6 or higher operate in 'KakaoTalk rooms,' and clerks use 'Band.' Clerks change their nicknames within 'Band' to ensure anonymity and pursue equality among ranks.

The joining procedure involves expressing the intention to join to the executives or branch head, followed by a decision based on the executives' meeting or members' opinions. Personnel evaluations within the workplace are important criteria, and existing members' opinions are prioritized.

Branch Head Im said, "Some say the intention to join is not important, but since there are multiple unions in the office, there is a choice. For now, we plan to accept applications focusing not on the number of members but on how right-minded applicants are in their work attitude."

He also said that through transparent quarterly accounting disclosures, members who have not paid union dues for more than three months are considered uninterested or unqualified and are expelled.

Most members are administrative staff, and this year they plan to accept applications from relatively vulnerable social workers and fixed-term employees within the office.

Branch Head Im concluded, "The current executives, whose term lasts until May 2021, will work tirelessly to improve members' treatment and protect their rights, aiming to make this the most preferred workplace for public officials. Therefore, carefully consider your personality, union activity direction, and goals, and be sure to join one of the multiple unions within Gangnam-gu Office that suits you. We will do our best for employee welfare."

Meanwhile, it seems rare for a public official like Branch Head Im to post such a clear and organized statement, making it even more remarkable.

Branch Head Im graduated from Ajou University Law School, passed the Seoul City Grade 9 Public Official Exam, and has been working as a public official in Gangnam-gu. At one time, he served as a press officer in the Public Relations Office and was recognized as the "top press officer" who wrote excellent press releases and maintained good relations with reporters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.