Sangju City Signs 2026 Public Officials Wage Agreement

A Labor-Management Culture of Cooperation and Mutual Growth
Strengthening Citizen-Centered Administrative Services

Sangju City in North Gyeongsang Province (Mayor Kang Youngseok) and the Sangju branch of the National Local Government Officials Union (Branch Chief Jang Hyunseok) signed the 2026 wage agreement on the 5th at the main conference room of Sangju City Hall.

Since the union's request for negotiations in December last year, Sangju City and the officials' union branch have continued negotiations through both working-level and main sessions, based on mutual trust and cooperation between labor and management. After concessions and compromise from both sides, a final agreement was reached.

The agreement includes wage increases and improvements in working conditions, with a focus on substantially enhancing the treatment of public officials and creating a stable work environment.

Sangju City (Mayor Youngsuk Kang) and the Sangju Branch of the National Autonomous District Public Officials' Union (Branch Chief Hyunseok Jang) held a commemorative photo session after signing the 2026 wage agreement on the 5th at the Sangju City Hall Grand Conference Room. Photo by Ihwan Kim

In particular, by actively reflecting feedback from the field, the agreement aims to boost employee morale and improve work efficiency. It is also expected that better working conditions will further enhance the quality of administrative services provided to citizens.

Sangju City plans to use this opportunity to further strengthen labor-management trust and to work together to deliver friendly and responsible administrative services that citizens can truly feel.

Mayor Kang Youngseok stated, "It is very meaningful that labor and management were able to sign this agreement through an amicable settlement," and added, "We will create a work environment where public officials can work with pride and will repay citizens with even better administrative services."

Meanwhile, last year, Sangju City changed the job title from ‘permanent employee’ to ‘public official,’ creating an opportunity to enhance pride and a sense of responsibility among members of the public sector. The city continues to make ongoing efforts to improve working conditions and morale for public officials working on the front lines.

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