Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member Kim Jin-nam: "High-Cost Equipment Without Practical Use Is a Waste of Public Funds"

Claims have been raised that some education support offices in the Jeonnam region purchased expensive broadcasting equipment with low usability.

Kim Jin-nam, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Suncheon 5), pointed out during an administrative audit held at Jangheung Education Support Office on the 6th that after reviewing the budget execution status of the Goheung, Wando, Jangheung, Gangjin, and Yeongam Education Support Offices, “they purchased expensive broadcasting equipment with no practical use.”

Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Kim Jin-nam is questioning at the administrative audit held at Jangheung Office of Education. [Photo by Kim Jin-nam]

Assemblyman Kim claimed, “In February last year, the Jangheung Education Support Office purchased broadcasting equipment for school rental from Company H for 57.1 million won, but they did not sufficiently gather opinions from frontline schools nor hold a product selection committee.”

Kim requested the submission of data on the status and actual conditions of educational equipment over the past three years and urged a thorough investigation into the equipment purchase process, future measures, and security.

He added, “It is wrong to try to produce results due to media criticism without having staff to manage specific equipment while claiming to consider ways to utilize expensive educational equipment,” and said, “If it were not for the media’s criticism, the equipment would have remained abandoned in the warehouse.”

He further pointed out, “When purchasing expensive equipment, careful review is necessary, and after purchase, it should be actively utilized to prevent waste of taxpayers’ money,” emphasizing, “The education support offices must be properly managed for students to be protected.”

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