Gyeonggi Governor Chu Mi-ae delays personnel reshuffle due to fiscal crisis

Gyeonggi Province Governor Chu Mi-ae has defended the decision to delay the province's second-half regular personnel reshuffle until January next year, citing a severe fiscal crisis. The delay affects high-ranking officials from grades 2 to 5, including deputy heads and department directors.

Governor Chu stated that the province is facing a financial emergency, noting that reserve funds have been nearly exhausted and debt is increasing due to bond issuances. She criticized previous fiscal management, pointing to excessive spending on overseas offices, official development assistance (ODA) projects, and redundant tasks across departments. Chu emphasized that reviewing business performance and restructuring the organization must precede any personnel changes.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government Employees' Union has expressed strong opposition, calling the move a “half-hearted personnel reshuffle” and demanding an apology and immediate normalization of the process. The union noted that the delay has caused significant frustration among employees awaiting promotions and has created administrative gaps in several municipalities where deputy head positions remain vacant.