Lee Jeong-seon, Gwangju Education Superintendent Preliminary Candidate, Promises 'Gwangju Education, Priority Purchase System for Local Businesses'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Lee Jeong-seon, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Superintendent of Education, promised to implement a ‘Local Business Priority Purchasing System’ as a measure to pursue win-win education.

Candidate Lee stated, “To overcome the economic crisis in the region caused by COVID-19, Gwangju education must also participate,” and added, “If elected as superintendent, I will implement the ‘Local Business Priority Purchasing System’ so that the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, education support offices, all affiliated institutions, and schools at all levels prioritize purchasing goods from local Gwangju businesses.”

Candidate Lee explained, “The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education spends about 200 billion KRW annually on goods and capital expenditures. If this budget is primarily used for local businesses, it can greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy and neighborhood commercial districts,” and continued, “To this end, we will issue a local win-win card that can only be used within the Gwangju area, making it mandatory for institutions and schools to use it, and start mandating the purchase of local business products through the online shopping mall ‘Bitgoeul Edu Mall.’”

He further explained, “We will gradually expand the scope of negotiated contracts, which have been causing difficulties for schools and local businesses, to reflect the economic realities of rising prices, address the complexity of small-amount competitive bidding methods, the sluggishness in rapid budget execution, and the misuse of split contracts. By improving contract and purchasing methods, we will create a Gwangju education system that coexists with local small business owners.”

Additionally, he emphasized, “The 1 million KRW Dream Dreamer fund to overcome educational disparities will also be paid via the local win-win card to directly help revitalize neighborhood commercial districts,” and stressed, “Through Gwangju education, I will surely realize ‘better education’ for our children and ‘Gwangju education that grows together’ for Gwangju and its citizens.”