KyungSook Kim of Gyeongbuk Assembly Criticizes "Single Company Winning 20% of LED Lighting Contracts" in Gyeongbuk Office of Education Audit

Most Projects Not Conducted Through Open Bidding
Proceeding via Private Contracts and Restricted Competitive Bidding

KyungSook Kim, a proportional representative of the Democratic Party in the Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly, strongly called for enhanced transparency in the procurement process for LED lighting government-supplied materials and the establishment of an efficient integrated management system for high-value artworks during the Gyeongbuk Office of Education administrative audit held on November 7.

Assemblywoman Kim analyzed data on the LED lighting installation projects from 2020 to 2027 and revealed that the concentration of contracts awarded to specific companies was severe. She pointed out that in 2023, approximately 14.5% of the total project budget for lighting projects was awarded to a single company, and in 2024, there were cases where one company received nearly 20% of the contracts.

KyungSook Kim, Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Member

She criticized the fact that most projects were carried out through selective competitive bidding, private contracts, and restricted competitive bidding rather than open bidding, which limited opportunities for various companies to compete. She strongly urged the establishment of transparent systems that would allow diverse companies to compete fairly and called for reducing barriers to the selection of outstanding companies.

KyungSook Kim pointed out the shortcomings in the management of artworks owned by the Gyeongbuk Office of Education and emphasized the need to establish an integrated management system for high-value assets that are at risk of damage or loss.

She noted that expensive artworks acquired through donations and purchases are scattered, making them difficult to manage and increasing the risk of damage or loss. In particular, she expressed concern about inadequate management of artworks located in closed schools. She also criticized the fact that, despite the current and artistic value of these artworks having increased, they are merely being stored and are rarely utilized as public assets.

Assemblywoman Kim requested the immediate establishment of an integrated management system to prevent damage and loss and to enable systematic management. She also proposed the development of traveling exhibition programs, securing exhibition spaces for viewing, and operating digital galleries utilizing the existing collection, so that artworks can be used as public assets that everyone can share, rather than simply being stored.

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Education Committee's administrative audit began with the Gyeongbuk Office of Education on November 7 and will continue through November 20, covering education support offices and affiliated institutions.