Jeonnam Education, Many Purchases from Out-of-Area Vendors... Counterproductive to Local Economic Revitalization

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[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] It has been revealed that frontline regional education support offices under the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education are purchasing goods from companies in Seoul and other metropolitan areas.

There are calls for measures to be taken to purchase goods from local companies within the province to promote job creation and revitalize the local small and medium-sized enterprise economy.

On the 9th, Lee Gwang-il, a member of the Education Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, pointed out during the administrative audit of the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education’s regional education support offices (Naju, Hwasun, Muan, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong) that “the proportion of direct contracts with Jeonnam local companies is low,” and strongly urged the purchase of goods from local companies, he announced on the 10th.

Lee Gwang-il stated, “After reviewing the status of goods purchases over 5 million won submitted by the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, Naju Education Office had 169 cases, of which 144 were goods from other regions and only 25 were from Jeonnam companies.”

Also, ▷Hwasun Education Office had 68 cases with 49 from other regions / 19 from Jeonnam, ▷Muan Education Office had 88 cases with 73 from other regions / 15 from Jeonnam, ▷Hampyeong Education Office had 58 cases with 45 from other regions / 13 from Jeonnam, ▷Yeonggwang Education Office had 46 cases with 38 from other regions / 8 from Jeonnam, and ▷Jangseong Education Office had 20 cases with 16 from other regions / 4 from Jeonnam.

In particular, he pointed out, “Although frontline education support offices legally cannot avoid selecting bidding targets, there is a problem in that even contracts subject to direct contracts are purchasing goods from companies in other regions.”

Lee Gwang-il reported, “Among 37 direct contracts at Naju Education Office, 7 were with Jeonnam companies; at Hwasun Education Office, 4 out of 13 direct contracts were with Jeonnam companies; at Muan Education Office, 7 out of 20; at Hampyeong Education Office, 11 out of 23; at Yeonggwang Education Office, 6 out of 17; and at Jangseong Education Office, 1 out of 6 were with Jeonnam companies.”

Furthermore, Lee criticized, “Even in the case of direct contracts for goods purchases, Jeonnam local companies are being neglected,” and strongly urged city and county education offices to also participate in the recovery of the local economy.

Lee Gwang-il emphasized, “In the difficult situation of the local economy due to COVID-19, purchasing local goods prevents the bankruptcy of local companies and population outflow, and connects to policies for job creation and population increase.”

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