Shin Yong-han, the Chungcheongbuk-do governor, sent a letter to all provincial government employees for the first time since taking office. Shin said in the letter that he appreciated employees' hard work and encouraged them to stay motivated for provincial administration innovation.
According to Chungcheongbuk-do on the 30th, Shin said in the letter, "The great transition of Chungcheongbuk-do is by no means grandiose or a burdensome slogan to make employees do more work," adding, "Let's boldly remove unnecessary practices and formal procedures so we can focus on what is truly important to pioneering the future of Chungcheongbuk-do."
Shin went on, "From concentration in the capital area and the extinction of local regions, to intensifying competition by zone and between regions, to the prolonged economic slump and changes in the industrial structure, the reality we face is by no means easy," adding, "We are standing at an important turning point."
He added, "Change starts with me, and every employee is the protagonist of Chungcheongbuk-do's great transition," calling for proactive proposals and challenges unconstrained by formality.
Shin also said, "I thank the employees who are holding the line in the field for residents amid the heat wave," adding, "I hope you also take time to fully recharge with summer vacations."
Inside Chungcheongbuk-do, the reaction was that "it was refreshing that the governor personally sent a heartfelt message."
A provincial official said, "Based on the governor's will for communication and innovation, we will continue to promote provincial administration innovation and improvements to organizational culture."