Governor Lee Honggi of Geochang: "I Will Build an Organization Where Those Who Work Are Recognized"

Introduction of Internal Recruitment System for TF Teams: Bold Incentives Including Additional Performance Points and Preferred Job Placements

Employees Can Directly Apply for Core Projects Beyond Job Group and Seniority

Driving Administrative Innovation and Delivering Tangible Results

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province has boldly broken away from seniority-based personnel practices and introduced the "Core Issue TF Team Internal Recruitment System," which directly selects public officials with competence and passion, embarking on administrative innovation centered on performance.

This new system was established to expedite the fulfillment of core pledges of the ninth popularly elected administration and to accelerate projects that serve as the region's future growth engines. It reflects Governor Lee Honggi's administrative philosophy of dismantling interdepartmental and job title barriers to create an organization where those who want to work can do so, aiming to achieve tangible results that county residents can feel as soon as possible.

[Photo by Geochang County] Lee Honggi, Governor of Geochang County, boldly broke away from the seniority-centered personnel practices and introduced the 'Core Issue Task Force Internal Recruitment System,' directly selecting public officials with capability and passion, embarking on performance-centered administrative innovation.

The recruitment is open to level 6 to 8 civil servants of Geochang County, regardless of their job group or department. Applicants must submit a work implementation plan and go through an interview process to be finally selected. Rather than prioritizing years of service or rank, the selection process will focus on a candidate's understanding of the project, creativity, implementation determination, and practical abilities to identify the most suitable personnel.

The TF teams and dedicated organizations established through this system will focus on core projects crucial to Geochang County's future. These include the "Changpowon Development TF" to create new future value for Changpowon, the "Hot Spring Theme Park TF" to foster tourism and wellness industries, a "Strategy Division" to promote AI, drones, and pilot projects, the "Community Jobs Division" to coordinate rural industry and regional employment policies, and the "Export and Distribution Division" to establish a regional agricultural products distribution corporation and enhance export competitiveness for farm produce.

In particular, the Changpowon Development TF will prioritize establishing the foundation for national garden designation and expanding tourism content designed for extended stays. The Hot Spring Theme Park TF aims to secure new growth engines linked to the local tourism industry. The Strategy Division will be responsible for piloting advanced industrial projects, such as those involving AI and drones, and for discovering future business strategies. The Community Jobs Division will oversee employment creation policies that reflect the rural industry and the unique characteristics of the region. The Export and Distribution Division will strengthen the competitiveness of local agriculture by establishing a regional agricultural distribution corporation and expanding agricultural exports.

The county plans to foster a culture that values challenge and results within the organization by offering bold incentives for staff selected to TF teams, including additional points in performance evaluations, preferential performance bonuses, and priority in desired job placements after project completion.

Governor Lee Honggi stated, "Now is the time to establish a public service culture that values ability and passion over seniority," and emphasized, "The basic principle of county administration is that core projects shaping the future of Geochang must be managed by those who can do them best."

He continued, "We have opened the door of opportunity for public officials to take initiative and fully demonstrate their capabilities," adding, "We will continue to pursue performance-driven organizational innovation so that we can quickly resolve core issues and achieve results that county residents can truly experience."

He also stressed, "We will focus all administrative resources so that projects preparing Geochang’s future for the next 30 years—such as the Changpowon Development, the Hot Spring Theme Park, nurturing future industries, creating rural jobs, and strengthening agricultural export competitiveness—can rapidly move forward," and added, "We will firmly establish a culture where those who work are recognized and those who deliver results are valued."

Meanwhile, through the implementation of the Core Issue TF Team Internal Recruitment System, Geochang County plans to shift its organizational culture from one centered on seniority to one based on performance and expertise, further accelerating the momentum of the ninth administration's core pledge projects.

Administration must evolve. An organization where ability and passion outweigh seniority and tradition will be more competitive.

The Core Issue TF Team Internal Recruitment System introduced by Geochang County asks not "Who has worked here the longest?" but "Who can do the job best?" It opens up opportunities for employees to challenge themselves in projects that will shape Geochang’s future, from the Changpowon Development and the Hot Spring Theme Park to AI and drone pilot projects, rural employment, and boosting agricultural exports.

Of course, this must be underpinned by fair selection and objective performance assessment. However, if the organization recognizes those who are willing to work and gives opportunities to those who deliver results, real change can begin. Ultimately, what matters most is people. One can only hope that administrative innovation that opens the way for those ready to work will translate into tangible outcomes experienced by county residents.

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