Jung Chang-su, the district mayor of Seoul's Gangbuk-gu, launched a series of staff forums Wednesday, beginning with the Culture and Tourism Division, as part of a broad initiative to open direct lines of communication with all district employees.
The forums were organized to mark the start of Jung's ninth elected term and are designed to give frontline staff a direct channel to share their views on working conditions and day-to-day operations, with the goal of building a more open and empathetic organizational culture.
At Wednesday's session, Jung encouraged Culture and Tourism Division staff to speak freely. "Please share as much as you'd like — not just work-related matters, but anything at all," he said, adding that employees who find it difficult to speak up in person can reach him through a dedicated direct-message phone line.
He also offered words of encouragement, saying he was well aware of how hard each employee works. "Thanks to the efforts of the Culture and Tourism Division, Gangbuk-gu's cultural events have reached a much higher level," he said.
Jung also pressed staff on local cultural policy, saying Gangbuk-gu could not afford to fall behind other districts in the cultural sphere. He called on employees to work toward expanding cultural infrastructure — including public libraries — so that residents can enjoy cultural life close to home.
The session had a relaxed atmosphere throughout, with staff freely posing lighthearted questions — asking Jung about his favorite songs and book recommendations — and the district mayor responding candidly and at ease.
Jung plans to visit all 41 departments in turn through late October, continuing his on-site outreach. The forums will give employees a free exchange of ideas and collect a range of suggestions aimed at improving work efficiency and the overall working environment.
"It was a short time, but it was meaningful to hear the honest thoughts and frontline voices of our staff," Jung said. "I will create an environment where employees can work with pride, and build a healthy organizational culture where everyone can comfortably share what they think."
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