Gyeonggi Province delays senior personnel appointments until January

Gyeonggi Province has postponed its regular second-half personnel appointments for senior officials (grades 2–5) until January next year, citing the need for organizational restructuring and budget realignment. The province intends to conduct a diagnostic review to address inefficiencies, such as overlapping duties and excessive outsourcing, before finalizing new placements.

This decision has sparked significant backlash from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Employees' Union and other labor groups. Protesters have condemned the move as a “personnel atrocity,” arguing that the delay causes administrative vacancies in municipal deputy mayor positions across cities like Goyang, Seongnam, Siheung, Icheon, and Yangju. They claim the lack of communication and the resulting stagnation in promotions and transfers will lead to increased workloads and decreased morale.

Governor Chu Mi-ae defended the postponement via social media, stating that addressing the province’s fiscal crisis and restructuring inefficient administrative processes must take precedence over personnel moves. She emphasized that the current financial situation requires a thorough review of expenditures and business performance to ensure administrative accountability and efficiency.