Gwangju Office of Education's Budget for Celebration and Condolence Flags Increases Sevenfold in Five Years

Delivery Costs Rise from 3.15 Million to 21.55 Million Won in Five Years
Citizens' Coalition for an Egalitarian Society: "Blurred Line Between Public and Private Use"
"Need for Improved Operational Standards and Execution Methods"

The Gwangju Office of Education's budget for congratulatory and condolence flags used at events or for condolences has increased significantly over the past five years, yet it has been operated without any relevant guidelines or standards. The civic group 'Citizens' Coalition for an Egalitarian Society' released an analysis of information disclosure materials on the 26th, calling for transparency in budget execution and the establishment of public standards.

According to the Citizens' Coalition for an Egalitarian Society, the delivery cost for congratulatory and condolence flags at the city education office rose from 3.15 million won in 2020 to 21.55 million won as of February this year, an increase of nearly sevenfold. Notably, the cost surged from 6.34 million won in 2022 to 14.7 million won in 2023, with even more budget allocated in 2024.

Gwangju Office of Education building.

The sharp increase in costs was attributed to the unplanned additional purchase of flags in 2023. That year, the city education office purchased five congratulatory flags and 22 condolence flags, which also led to an increase in the number of deliveries. Currently, the office possesses a total of 28 flags, including five congratulatory flags and 23 condolence flags.

Concerns were also raised about the structure of budget execution. The cost of purchasing flags is diverted from the operating expenses of each department, while delivery costs are separately paid from the operating budget of the general affairs division. The group stated, "Because the expenses are split and executed by department, it is difficult to grasp the overall budget size and systematic management is challenging." They also pointed out that changing the delivery company was another factor in the budget increase. Since January this year, the Gwangju Office of Education has switched to a new delivery company, resulting in higher delivery unit costs. The civic group commented, "An explanation is needed regarding the company selection process."

While the use of congratulatory and condolence flags by the Gwangju Office of Education for local events or condolences is within the scope of administrative duties, the group noted, "If the distinction between public and private use remains unclear and execution continues without standards, the public credibility of educational administration could be undermined." They called on the city education office to: ▲ establish standards for flag operation and delivery, ▲ integrate the method of budget execution, and ▲ disclose the details of flag usage, adding, "Transparent budget execution standards at the education office level are necessary."