Jongno-gu's Yoon Jeong-suk and Mapo-gu's Lee Ki-yeon retained their posts despite change in district leadership
Seoul's autonomous districts are relatively small organizations, but their communications chiefs carry the weight of a full spokesperson.
The role may not compare to that of a Seoul Metropolitan Government or central ministry spokesperson, yet it is far from minor — covering everything from policy promotion to fielding critical media inquiries on behalf of the district.
The communications chief is the district's public voice, responsible for conveying the district mayor's policies and the broader work of the district office to residents and the press. Beyond promoting major projects, the position also functions as a de facto spokesperson — verifying facts and articulating the district office's position whenever controversy or critical coverage arises.
The job demands an accurate read of conditions inside and outside the district office, along with the ability to respond swiftly to media challenges. It requires both a firm grasp of the district mayor's and senior officials' policy direction and the instincts to communicate smoothly with journalists.
For that reason, communications chiefs often face considerable turbulence after local elections — particularly when a challenger defeats an incumbent district mayor, making the communications chief the first candidate for replacement.
An incoming district mayor naturally wants to build a new communications team capable of conveying their own governing philosophy and policy agenda. That is why the post is seen as more than a routine administrative assignment — one whose political fortunes rise and fall with the district mayor's own.
Against that backdrop, a communications chief who holds on through a leadership change — on the strength of professional competence and a solid reputation within the organization — is widely regarded as someone of considerable caliber.
Among Seoul districts where the district mayor changed in the ninth round of popular elections, Yoon Jeong-suk of Jongno-gu and Lee Ki-yeon of Mapo-gu were both retained in their posts, drawing attention to the circumstances behind their continuity.
Jongno-gu not only kept Yoon in place but also tapped press team leader Kang Mi-hee for the personnel team chief position — a key post within the administrative support division that handles the practical work of promotions and transfers.
Both Yoon and Kang earned the trust of the new district leadership through strong job performance and a good standing within the organization. Senior officials in the personnel line, including administrative bureau chief Ko Dong-seok, are understood to have played a role in supporting their retention.
Mapo-gu likewise kept Lee on as communications chief. Alongside that decision, Jung Im-young, who had been seconded to the district mayor transition committee, was appointed as the new press team leader.
Her predecessor, Baek Seong-mi, moved to the traffic management team chief role — a senior team-leader position considered one of the main posts within the transportation and construction bureau.
Officials who were retained or promoted to key positions despite a change in district mayor have earned recognition for their professional ability and organizational credibility regardless of the shifting political environment — a distinction that carries real weight.
The saying that "civil servants have no soul" does not mean they must bend with every political wind without conviction. It is closer to a call for civil servants to uphold political neutrality and administrative continuity — faithfully carrying out their duties without being swayed by election outcomes or changes in leadership.
Ultimately, what sustains a long career in public service is not personal connections to any particular figure, but competence, reputation and the trust built steadily among colleagues.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
