[This Person] Kim Young-jong, Jongno District Mayor, Leads Changes in Public Service Including Abolishing 'Sibotteok' Tradition and Promoting Integrity

After the 6-month probation period for 9th-grade entry-level public officials ends, the so-called 'Sibotteok' practice of giving gifts to seniors is being abolished, with Minister Jeon Hae-cheol of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety also expressing his intention to lead changes in the entire public service... Mayor Kim demonstrates a 'clean administration' by not accepting even a single pen from senior officials, leading change in the public sector.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Young-jong, the mayor of Jongno-gu, is receiving applause for leading changes in the public service by eradicating the so-called ‘Sibotteok’ practice, where newly appointed level 9 public officials, after completing a six-month probation period, return gifts to senior officials.

Mayor Kim recognized this widespread problematic organizational culture in the public sector and has been considering measures at the district level to celebrate the beginning of public service careers, ensuring that new employees are no longer forced to bear economic burdens.

This movement drew attention as Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, also expressed his determination to eliminate the ‘Sibotteok practice’ in the public sector.

In particular, starting this year, Jongno-gu provides new public officials with an ‘encouragement message’ from Mayor Kim Young-jong and ‘refreshments’ to share with senior staff in their assigned departments.

◆ Mayor Kim Young-jong of Jongno-gu Leads Change in Entire Public Sector by Eliminating ‘Sibotteok Practice’

This initiative aims to foster a public service culture that warmly encourages employees who have worked hard to adapt during their probation period, offering wholehearted support and assistance from those closest to them during this critical time.

Especially, to promote a culture where individuals and organizations grow together, a ‘participatory reading program’ has been established, encouraging each employee to read up to four books this year. Jongno Reading Leaders will be selected and awarded, and various events such as book report contests and reading concerts are planned.

Mayor Kim is said to be constantly contemplating how to help employees recognize what constitutes a proper public service culture.

Other autonomous districts in Seoul are also moving quickly in response to Jongno-gu’s initiative. Seongbuk-gu sent a notice to all employees encouraging a warm organizational culture of mutual encouragement and gratitude. Gwanak-gu is also reportedly preparing policies to improve organizational culture.

◆ Mayor Kim Young-jong of Jongno-gu Leads Integrity in Public Service by Demonstrating ‘Clean Governance’ Himself

Alongside this, Mayor Kim emphasizes integrity awareness among employees.

Mayor Kim stated, “Looking into ‘Mokminsimseo’ by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, there is a saying that ‘Integrity is the essential duty of those who lead the people, the source of all good deeds, and the foundation of all virtues.’ This highlights that integrity is the most fundamental quality for public officials. Continuing Dasan’s spirit, I will enhance transparency and trust in public service and create an honest Jongno that receives unwavering support from residents.”

Mayor Kim is also known for practicing integrity himself. A famous anecdote from his first term as mayor of Jongno-gu is when a senior staff member returned from an overseas training program and gave him a pen as a gift, only to be ‘embarrassed’(?) by Mayor Kim.

By refusing even a single pen from employees, he expressed his determination to foster an atmosphere of integrity in the public sector.

As a result of these efforts, Jongno-gu ranked first nationwide in integrity evaluations among local governments during Mayor Kim’s first term.

Since then, Mayor Kim has pursued upgraded ‘anti-corruption policies’ and showed results in the 2020 Public Institution Integrity Measurement by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

This year, Jongno-gu is focusing on improving areas deemed insufficient last year and strengthening enhanced parts to achieve a comprehensive integrity rating of grade 1 by implementing ▲ customized education to strengthen employees’ integrity capabilities ▲ enhancing administrative transparency and fairness to improve residents’ trust ▲ improving organizational culture through empathy and communication ▲ preemptively blocking corruption causes and activating reporting systems.

Mayor Kim explained, “Considering the prolonged COVID-19 situation, we have newly established non-face-to-face related training courses and expanded customized education by rank and job series.”

Additionally, to improve administrative transparency and fairness, which were somewhat weak in last year’s external integrity evaluation, the integrity letters previously sent only to construction-related parties will be expanded to include subsidy recipients.

Moreover, a new ‘Smart Integrity Notice’ containing a QR code expressing the district’s commitment to integrity and providing administrative information will be produced and posted. Integrity communication meetings will be held, and an ‘Integrity Bulletin Board’ where employees can freely express their opinions will be introduced.

To raise employees’ integrity awareness, the ‘3 Actions (行) 3 Prohibitions (禁) Code of Conduct,’ which details integrity behavior standards by position and job, will continue to be implemented. Established to prevent corrupt behavior among public officials, this code includes three mandatory actions and three absolute prohibitions based on the ‘Jongno-gu Public Officials Code of Conduct.’

The ‘3 Actions (I will do)’ consist of integrity and courteous work handling, fair personnel management, and horizontal communication, which must be observed. The ‘3 Prohibitions (I will not do)’ include prohibitions against personnel solicitation, bribery and entertainment, misuse of budget, and unfair acts. Notably, the code is detailed to fit the position and job, distinguishing between managers (team leaders level 6 and above) and staff, as well as those in corruption-prone fields requiring particularly high integrity.

As an excellent integrity institution in 2020, Jongno-gu will also serve as a mentor in the 2021 integrity consulting hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. This is to share and consult on various policies and experiences operated so far to improve integrity.

Through this process, Jongno will reassess its integrity and contribute to creating a clean and honest public service society together with other institutions. Mayor Kim said, “We have operated programs like ‘Integrity through Books,’ encouraging employees to read integrity-related books and submit book reports, and a ‘Continuous Self-Learning System on Integrity,’ so that employees can reflect on integrity before starting work. This provides opportunities to learn about public ethics, the Public Officials Code of Conduct, and the Anti-Graft Act.”

Furthermore, the district has consistently worked to lead a new culture of integrity that resonates with both residents and employees by holding ‘Integrity Slogan Contests’ and producing the ‘Jongno Integrity Song Music Video.’ Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “To leap forward as a ‘Top Integrity District’ trusted by residents, we plan to embed the value of integrity throughout district administration this year as well. We will meticulously implement integrity policies with attention to even the smallest details and strive to create a clean and transparent public service culture.”

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