Gyeongnam Office of Education Announces Results of Investigation into Corruption in Public Construction Materials Procurement

Request for investigation of 7 current and former public officials and 28 companies who made concentrated purchases from specific firms between 2017 and 2019

Gyeongnam Office of Education Building Exterior

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] The Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education requested an investigation by the police on the 4th into seven current and former officials in charge and 28 companies for violating purchasing standards in a fact-finding survey aimed at eradicating corruption related to construction-supplied materials.

This fact-finding survey was conducted following the directive of Superintendent Park Jong-hoon on October 19 last year to eradicate corruption in construction-supplied materials.

The Gyeongnam Office of Education's Audit Officer formed a special inspection team consisting of professionals, a cyber audit team, and externally appointed architects, conducting the fact-finding survey over four months from November 11 last year to March 12 this year.

The special inspection team investigated the purchasing status of ten items, including metal windows, which had relatively high amounts and frequencies among construction-supplied materials purchased by the Gyeongnam Office of Education and education support offices from 2017 to 2019.

As a result, they identified seven current and former officials in charge who violated the Gyeongnam Office of Education's purchasing standard, which prohibits exceeding 40% of the order amount per company and item, and concentrated purchases on specific companies, along with 28 related companies.

The Audit Officer plans to clarify whether any illegal activities occurred through the investigation request, considering that the officials in charge and the companies violated related guidelines.

Audit Officer Lee Min-jae emphasized, "Taking this opportunity, we will eradicate corruption in the delivery of construction-supplied materials and establish a foundation where the majority of officials, who have carried out their duties with conviction and pride despite temptations of corruption, can work with confidence and pride."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.