Korea Rail Network Authority, 'Internal Regulation Rationalization' Including Easing Bidding Entry Barriers

The Korea Rail Network Authority announced on the 6th that it will implement a "Regulation Rationalization" initiative to improve internal regulations by consolidating and eliminating unnecessary provisions such as rules, detailed regulations, guidelines, standards, and processes.

Earlier, in June, the Rail Network Authority formed a "Work System Innovation Task Force" consisting of headquarters staff, regional headquarters, and external experts to set four key directions: easing barriers to bid participation, enhancing transparency, improving railway safety, and increasing work efficiency. The consolidation of internal regulations was carried out based on these directions.

Easing barriers to bid participation focuses on relaxing the scoring criteria for performance records of similar services in line with government policies and improving evaluation methods to expand opportunities for small enterprises to participate in joint contracts. Through this, minor mistakes such as incomplete or erroneous documents will be given one chance for correction.

Enhancing transparency involves reforming the Integrity Citizen Auditor (formerly Integrity Ombudsman) system by adding "persons with practical experience in integrity policies" as a qualification requirement for auditors and establishing new regulations to limit reappointment and overlapping appointments of Financial Risk Management Committee members.

Additionally, the Rail Network Authority explained that fairness will be secured by establishing a Legal Review Committee to set procedures for appointing key litigation representatives and legal advisors.

Measures to improve railway safety include clarifying the placement standards for railway crossing managers and establishing maintenance plans for collapse-risk areas such as steep railway slopes.

To enhance work efficiency, out of a total of 323 internal regulations, 50 regulations that cause duplication or unnecessary work and practices will be boldly abolished, reorganizing the total to 273.

Lee Seong-hae, Chairman of the Rail Network Authority, stated, "The Rail Network Authority will continue to improve internal regulations that cause inconvenience to the public or hinder railway development to meet the expectations of the people."