Unfair Intervention in Performance Evaluation? ... What Did Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, Say?

Kim mentions key pledge departments, saying "Please take good care of performance evaluations"

Union urges explanation, saying "Employees feel alienated and lost"

Kim Byeong-nae, the mayor of Nam-gu District Office in Gwangju Metropolitan City, recently sparked controversy by mentioning specific departments and tasks during an executive meeting and saying, "Please take good care of the work performance evaluations."

The Nam-gu branch of the Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union issued a statement on the 18th demanding clarification and an apology regarding Mayor Kim's 'performance evaluation remarks.'

The statement targeted Mayor Kim's public comment on the 17th during the weekly work report meeting, where he referred to specific departments and tasks and said, "Please take good care of the performance evaluations for the hardworking employees."

The specific departments mentioned are known to be the Planning Office and the Autonomous Administration Division, which are handling the mayor's campaign promises and current issues in Nam-gu.

The union views the mayor's remarks during an official meeting attended by director-level executives who hold the authority to evaluate lower-ranking employees at grade 6 and below as not only inappropriate but also an unjust interference in the performance evaluation process.

While the mayor can encourage employees and departments who have worked hard on tasks or events, asking them to take care of the performance evaluations goes beyond mere encouragement, the union pointed out.

The union stated, "Performance evaluations are not within the mayor's authority. When the mayor makes such remarks in a meeting where those with evaluation authority gather, the evaluators inevitably feel pressured and influenced."

They added, "If the mayor only praises and takes care of projects that align with his interests or achievements, employees mainly responsible for civil complaints or statutory duties will inevitably feel alienated and disheartened. All work performed by Nam-gu District Office officials is necessary for the residents, and each task has its role and significance."

As this issue became known, internal employees expressed feelings of disappointment. On the Nam-gu District Office internal bulletin board, posts appeared saying, "So does that mean I was just playing around?" and "All employees work hard. It's not only those in specific tasks who do."

Mayor Kim explained, "My remarks were intended to encourage the hardworking employees," and added, "I will be more careful in the future to avoid statements that could be misunderstood."

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