Seoul's Yongsan-gu district launched an anti-gapjil campaign Thursday morning in the second-floor lobby of its general administrative complex, with District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae taking part directly to promote a healthier workplace culture built on mutual respect.
The campaign was organized to prevent gapjil — a term for abusive conduct by those in positions of authority, including unreasonable work orders, verbal abuse and personal humiliation — and to signal to all staff that the district's leadership would set the example in establishing a culture of respect and consideration.
Kim was joined by the deputy district mayor, department directors, the Yongsan-gu Civil Servants' Labor Union and other employees, all reaffirming their commitment to a gapjil-free workplace.
The event began at 8:35 a.m. with the signing of a joint declaration to eradicate gapjil. Kim and senior officials signed first, after which arriving employees voluntarily added their signatures, collectively pledging to put the principles into practice.
Participants then held banners and placards bearing slogans such as "Gapjil, clock out! Respect, clock in!" and greeted colleagues as they arrived, conveying a message of mutual respect and consideration. Integrity vitamins — small symbolic gifts representing a commitment to ethical conduct — were also distributed to staff.
An employee participation memo board will be set up during morning commute hours Thursday and Friday, allowing staff to freely write and post their thoughts.
The board is expected to capture candid employee views on four topics: the workplace culture they want to see, suggestions for the district mayor, words of respect they wish to share with colleagues, and personal pledges toward a gapjil-free office. The feedback will be used to guide improvements in organizational culture.
In tandem with the campaign, the district will run an intensive gapjil reporting period from Thursday through Sept. 11 — a full month — to heighten awareness of abusive conduct within the organization and work to prevent harm. Reports can be filed through the Yongsan-gu Gapjil Damage Reporting Center, and the anonymity of all reporters will be strictly protected.
Reportable conduct includes unreasonable work orders, verbal harassment, workplace bullying and instructions to carry out personal errands.
"From the very start of my tenure, I have stressed that an organization that is weak toward the powerful and harsh toward the powerless can never be a healthy one," Kim said. "We will continue to push a range of integrity initiatives to build a gapjil-free public service culture — one where everyone respects one another — so that residents can enjoy ever higher-quality administrative service."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
