Wind of Dismissal Blows Through Suwon City Civil Service

Suwon City's civil service is holding its breath. Normally this would be a time for speculation following recent large-scale personnel reshuffling, but the organization appears to have quickly returned to order.

Recently, it became known that Mayor Kim Yong-seo mentioned at a cabinet meeting on the 21st the possibility of issuing non-position assignments or field work assignments similar to Seoul City's field-focused administration initiative. This has prompted everyone to exercise self-discipline.

Prior to personnel changes on the 24th, rumors circulated within City Hall that around ten non-position assignments would occur. However, when the announcement was made, there were no non-position or field work assignments.

Nevertheless, Suwon City's civil service has accepted as fact that the winds of dismissal emanating from Ulsan and Seoul will soon reach Suwon.

Based on Mayor Kim's administrative style to date, it is believed he will not simply make empty gestures. He is the type to follow through on his words, and given that the civil service has been disorganized due to election law violations since his inauguration, he now faces the need to unite the organization in one direction.

Furthermore, it is argued that civil service innovation is necessary to enhance the completeness of second-half administration and allow him to conclude his remaining term as a successful elected mayor.

Accordingly, the civil service has concluded that Mayor Kim's recent remarks were intentional and based on careful calculation.

Some are accepting the mayor's remarks about civil service dismissals as a natural wind of change in the civil service.

One civil servant stated, "The era when the civil service was seen as an iron rice bowl has passed. There are still not a few civil servants working with a complacent attitude. Suwon City cannot be an exception to the winds of civil service change."

A senior civil official in Suwon City said, "Mayor Kim's remarks contain an underlying intent to tighten discipline in the civil service and promote organizational innovation. If the civil service does not change as Mayor Kim desires, the next personnel reshuffle will certainly include non-position assignments."

On May 10, Mayor Kim met with Park Myeong-jae, Minister of Interior and Safety, to request an expansion of Suwon City's organizational structure and received a promise for the establishment of one new bureau (Grade 4 Secretary).

Accordingly, a large-scale personnel reshuffle is expected to occur either by year-end or in early next year.