(코리아타운뉴스) L.A. Consulate Office Rated as Best Diplomatic Office

The office receives grade “S” on performance evaluation

The South Korean Consulate office in Los Angeles received the highest S grade on its performance evaluation of 2016. After years of finishing dead last among other consulate offices, the L.A. office is finally rebounding.

All of Korea’s diplomatic offices located across the world received a performance report two weeks ago from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Diplomatic offices with grade S are in the top 20 percent among all overseas public offices set up by the South Korean government. For years until recently, the L.A. office has been receiving C, the lowest possible grade (S, A, B and C in order).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed that the L.A. consulate office has contributed greatly to protecting South Korean citizens overseas as well as strengthening the country’s foreign policies.

Higher rating in evaluation means that the public servants hired by the Korean government to work at the L.A. office could potentially earn higher pay. Although offices with a grade C is only allowed to grant higher pay for one employee, the S grade could raise that number to four to five employees. The rise in pay ranges from $2,000 to $8,000 per year.

The improved performance of the L.A. office was triggered behind the efforts of consulate general Key-cheol Lee. After being appointed in April last year, Lee has played a key role in expanding customer services and staff friendliness.


By Hyoungjae Kim