1. Clean Construction System - Introduction, Background and Overview of the Clean Construction System

Corruption in the public construction sector is a serious issue in Korea as well as around the world that must be dealt with. Let’s look at a related press video to gain a better understanding of the matter. Corruption in the public construction sector must be dealt with swiftly. The reason being is that corruption in the public construction sector quickly impacts the safety of citizens.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government(SMG), in order to improve effectiveness, efficiency and transparency in the public construction sector, manages construction business management computerization and discloses construction information in real-time through the Clean Construction System.

Now, I will provide the introduction and background of the Clean Construction System and the overview of the system that was introduced to improve the efficiency of construction management. The reason behind how the Clean Construction System was introduced in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Korea showed remarkable economic growth after the devastation of the Korean War. The image you are looking at is a photo depicting Seoul in 1950. 70 years ago, the modern-day South Korea as you know was nonexistent. As you can imagine by looking at the photo, South Korea, was in ruins due to the war that broke out on June 25, 1950. People were starving without proper shelters and had to depend on monetary assistance from other countries.

South Korea, which laid in total ruins after the war, has turned into one of the most developed countries in the world in just over half a century. We are a success case that inspires many developing countries to take action. Korea’s fast reconstruction and growth can serves as a role model to developing countries since they will empathize with the growth, success and failures of Korea.

The photo depicts the nightscape of Seoul. Quite developed compared to the photo of the 1950s you saw earlier. But rapid growth also comes with a new set of problems. Let’s find out what kinds of problems were created along the way toward growth-centered development.
Due to the lack of a sound monitoring system to prevent fraudulent construction, the Seongsudaegyo Bridge collapsed in 1994, killing 50 people. In the following year, the Sampoong Department Store collapsed due to illegal land use, change and expansion, which resulted in over 1,500 injuries and deaths.

In the face of such tragedies, policy makers and the Korean media succumbed to the realization that the effective and transparent management of the public construction sector is directly linked to the lives of citizens and worked on finding a systematic solution to problems created by fraudulent constructions.

To that end, the SMG introduced the Clean Construction System, which discloses information to fulfill citizens’ right to know, improves the efficiency of the construction business in an innovative manner, and manages transparency at construction sites. All construction processes by the SMG is managed, operated and disclosed to citizens through the CCS link system. The Clean Construction System consists of the four parts. One-PMIS for management and operation of the construction business, The e-baro payment to automatically pay construction personnel's wages, The electronic HR management system for systematic management and welfare promotion for construction workers, and Construction Allimi to disclose information on construction business to citizens.

Overview of Seoul’s One-PMIS & Allimi

This diagram shows how the builder, supervisor and ordering body(such as the SMG) use One-PMIS as well as how the information stored in One-PMIS is disclosed to citizens through Allimi. In the past, we had to go through the process of editing and saving large quantities of documents that were produced in the process of reporting in written format. The One-PMIS, however, allows registering/uploading, editing and saving various electronic documents directly onto the server, eliminating unnecessary paper work.

One-PMIS allows for real-time monitoring of construction material, construction workers, and construction status, making it easier to systematically manage the work process. In other words, the supervisor, construction company, and inspection team log onto One-PMIS to register business status, process report, data management, safety management, and construction personnel resume to share the information among themselves. Owing to this system, all construction personnel are organically connected to a single system allowing for real-time response to accidents and improvement in construction quality.

Furthermore, parts of One-PMIS data are automatically sent to the Allimi site for public disclosure. Through automatic linkage with One-PMIS, Allimi continuously shares new information in contrast to websites that only provide old, basic information. This way, Allimi can be used as a public information portal for citizens.

The SMG shares a vast amount of information on the system but not entire information is disclosed to the public. Sensitive information related to privacy of individuals, security issues, and information which can damage the company’s reputation is not disclosed by Allimi. 80% of the information on One-PMIS is shared through Allimi. The construction Allimi provides all construction information in Seoul including site photos, work plans, contract status, work status, business background and major participants list.

Access the construction Allimi site and enter the desired construction name or select the construction project of your choice on the map to see construction overview, contract status, construction photos and participant information. Also, we have newly installed the suggestions category to collect citizen opinions and the construction site tour request category to increase citizen participation. This information can be searched on your smartphone as well.

Allimi information is GIS platform-based. As you can see on the screen, citizens can click on specific locations on the map to view the list of public construction projects and other information provided by One-PMIS.

Institutionalization of One-PMIS Use

Lastly, let’s take a look at the systematization process of the use of One-PMIS. After launching the One-PMIS system, our next major task is to expand the system. The reason is attributable to the increase in usage leading to securing accuracy and reliability of public information disclosed through the Allimi website.

Seoul recommends the use of One-PMIS for construction works that cost KRW 20 million or more, which comes to approximately USD 18,000. However, there is no law that makes the use of One-PMIS “Compulsory.” The SMG, through continuous PR and training is spreading the use of One-PMIS, and contributing to the spreading of the system without an enforcing law.

To increase usage, the SMG is conducts monthly training sessions for users and also provides special training after resuming, editing or adding functions to the system. The operational support team ensures convenient use through operating a call center, providing remote support service and offering an on-line manual.

The SMG is also working on drafting regulations to make the use of One-PMIS compulsory for all construction projects. SMG is utilizing both short long-term approaches. For short-term approaches, SMG is adding a provision in the “Construction Contract Special Condition” to enforce the utilization of One-PMIS starting in May 2016. For long-term measures, SMG is in the process of pushing for the enforcement of the Local Governance Law and Regulations.

At present, the SMG suggests the legalization of the construction business management system to countries that wish to introduce systems similar to CCS to make the usage compulsory. Through legalization, we can minimize problems that may occur during the implementation of the system. Legalization will also accelerate the distribution speed of the system.

I hope the lecture helped you understand the introduction, background and overview of the Clean Construction System.

Thank you.