Gyeonggi Province adjusts personnel reshuffle amid leadership vacancies

Gyeonggi Province has adjusted its personnel reshuffle plans following intense backlash from labor unions. After initially postponing the reshuffle of high-ranking officials (grades 2 through 5) until January 2026 to facilitate organizational restructuring, the province announced it will now include grade 5 officials in the upcoming August reshuffle alongside grade 6 and below employees.

The delay in appointing deputy heads of local municipalities has created significant administrative gaps in seven cities and counties, including Seongnam, Siheung, Gwangju, Icheon, Yangju, Gapyeong, and Pocheon. These vacancies are particularly concerning for disaster management, as deputy heads serve as critical coordinators for emergency responses. Gyeonggi Province accounts for a high percentage of national accidents and collapses, making the absence of administrative leadership a safety concern.

Labor unions had criticized the previous plan as a ‘half-measure’ reshuffle. A survey of 1,271 employees revealed that 98.5% believed the change in the personnel schedule negatively impacted organizational trust and morale, with 97% demanding the reshuffle proceed as originally planned.