Park Seongcheol, Head of Epidemiological Investigation Team, Kim Hyeri, Yoo Eunji... Selected as Yongsan-gu's 'Outstanding Public Officials for Proactive Administration' in the First Half of the Year

Recognized for Achievements in COVID-19 Response, Child-Friendly City Development, and Resource Recycling... Top Performance Salary Grade, Priority Overseas Training Selection, and Special Leave Incentives Provided

Park Seong-cheol, Head of the Epidemiological Investigation Team, and Officers Kim Hye-ri and Yoo Eun-ji (from left), selected as Outstanding Public Officials for Proactive Administration in the First Half of 2020

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) selected three outstanding public officials for proactive administration in the first half of 2020: Park Seong-cheol, head of the epidemiological investigation team (top award), and Kim Hye-ri and Yoo Eun-ji, administrative officers (excellence award).

Park Seong-cheol (male, 47) is the key contributor to the district's response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Since his initial appointment in March as an epidemiological investigator (healthcare inspector) in the Health and Medical Department, he has worked tirelessly day and night to track confirmed cases' movements and contacts.

The epidemiological investigation team in the district grew from 16 members in early March to 33 members as the number of confirmed cases increased. As of the end of May, there were 38 confirmed cases and 370 individuals under investigation, including contacts. The routes visited by confirmed cases totaled 185 locations (89 within the district and 96 confirmed in other districts).

Park utilized data such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and credit card usage records to conduct immediate investigations and legal reviews on a case-by-case basis. Notably, he took proactive administrative action by being the first in the nation to report foreign residents who left their homes during self-quarantine to the police.

Kim Hye-ri (female, 37), an administrative officer in the Elderly and Youth Department, joined in 2017 and has led the district's UNICEF Child-Friendly City project. She achieved results including the enactment of ordinances related to creating a child-friendly city, conducting child status surveys, and organizing citizen participation roundtable discussions.

Currently, she is promoting the creation of a "public indoor playground" utilizing donated facilities in the four zones around the International Building (Hangang-ro 3-ga 63-70 area) and the enactment of the "Seoul Special City Yongsan-gu Ordinance on Guaranteeing Children's Right to Play."

Yoo Eun-ji (female, 32), an administrative officer in the Resource Circulation Department who joined in 2015, is responsible for the Thursday disposal system for waste vinyl and PET bottles and the zero waste project for public buildings.

In particular, the Thursday disposal system for waste vinyl and PET bottles is a project aimed at securing high-quality recycled raw materials, which began pilot operation throughout the district last month.

Yoo is also implementing the same project in public buildings such as the district office. This is to set an example by public officials and promote waste reduction in the private sector. Since the project's implementation, general waste output within the buildings has decreased by nearly 5%.

A district official stated, "The selection of outstanding public officials for proactive administration this time is intended to motivate public servants and boost morale amid rapidly changing administrative environments," adding, "We received nine candidates and selected outstanding employees through a fair process."

Last month, the district established plans for selecting outstanding cases and public officials for proactive administration in the first half of the year, proceeding through candidate reception (recommended by residents or department heads), fact investigation, public verification, selection committee, and personnel committee procedures.

Outstanding public officials receive various incentives, including the mayor's commendation, highest grade in performance-based pay, priority selection for overseas training, recommendation for commendations from higher authorities, priority allocation of recreational facilities, and special leave.

The district plans to continue selecting outstanding public officials in the second half of the year.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "I congratulate the employees selected as outstanding public officials for proactive administration in the first half, including epidemiological investigator Park Seong-cheol," and added, "We will create an organization where hardworking employees are properly recognized."

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