Why Did Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Gift the Mokminsimseo to New Public Officials?

Mapo-gu Actively Embraces Employee Ideas on Organizational Culture, Supports Happy Work Life... Promotes Work-Life Balance and Creates a Horizontal, Comfortable Workplace Atmosphere to Build a 'Workplace Employees Want to Come To'

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District (left), is handing a booklet at the new civil servant appointment ceremony.

Employee Rest Area inside Mapo-gu Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “When Mapo-gu public officials are happy, they can work even harder for the happiness of Mapo-gu residents” (Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu)

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) is striving to transform the rigid organizational culture of the public sector into a workplace where members can interact comfortably with each other.

This effort aligns with the recent social trend emphasizing work-life balance by eliminating unnecessary traditional practices and creating a horizontal and autonomous environment to make the organization a 'workplace people want to come to.'

First, the district is working hard to create an atmosphere where employees can freely express their opinions to break down the rigid organizational culture.

Last year, the district activated a system for proposing ideas to improve organizational culture, providing an opportunity to actively reflect employees’ diverse opinions in organizational management and work promotion.

Besides this suggestion system, the district also listens to free and honest opinions through easily accessible bulletin boards or emails.

Additionally, the district gifts the book Mokminsimseo to new public officials and both Mokminsimseo and a personalized book to those promoted to the rank of section chief.

This initiative was personally proposed by Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun to foster intimacy with employees and enhance their sense of belonging, starting in 2019 and continuing annually.

In particular, Mayor Yoo personally writes congratulatory messages in Mokminsimseo, and for the personalized gifts?selected novels, philosophy, or self-development books?he writes different meaningful quotes, adding heartfelt significance.

A newly appointed junior official who received Mokminsimseo along with the appointment certificate last year recalled, “The unexpected gift was touching, and seeing the handwritten message inside eased the tension of starting public service and conveyed the mayor’s warm sentiment. I felt like part of a family with the mayor, which inspired my loyalty to the office.”

Along with this, in December last year, the district created a bright and warm rest area inside the Mapo-gu Office building where employees can recover from fatigue and relax during breaks.

The district plans to continue various efforts to improve employees’ quality of life and foster a healthy organizational culture.

Considering that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has made employees busier with additional tasks beyond their main duties, leading to neglect of health management, the district will strengthen support for employee health programs and provide psychological counseling programs to care for mental health as well.

Moreover, the district plans to increase communication opportunities among employees regardless of rank and expand support for clubs to enhance a sense of belonging.

Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, “I am always grateful to all employees who do their best in their respective positions,” and added, “We will do our utmost to transform Mapo-gu into a happy and enjoyable workplace for our employees.”

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