🚨 G2B (Government e-Procurement System): Korea's Online Public Bidding Platform

Today Korean Social News | 2025.06.13

📌 Scammers Use G2B Contract Information for Identity Theft - Users Need to Be Careful

💬 Identity theft scams using contract information from G2B, Korea's public bidding system run by the Public Procurement Service, are increasing. Scammers pretend to be government officials and ask people to sign up for financial products or share personal information. In the past 2 weeks, 59 warning notices have been posted. The Public Procurement Service continues to keep contract information public for transparency, but is strengthening warnings to prevent identity theft. G2B is a key platform where about 150 trillion won worth of public procurement happens every year, playing an important role in creating transparent and fair procurement culture.

Summary

• G2B is an online bidding system used by the Korean government and public organizations to buy goods and services.
• It ensures transparent and fair procurement so taxpayers' money is used efficiently.
• Recently, identity theft scams using contract information are increasing, so users need to be careful.

1️⃣ Definition

G2B (Government to Business) is an online electronic procurement system used by the Korean government and public organizations to buy goods and services they need. Simply put, it's like an online shopping mall where government agencies can buy what they need transparently and fairly.

This system is operated by the Public Procurement Service. Its goal is to make all public procurement electronic to increase transparency and efficiency, and to provide fair business opportunities to small and medium enterprises.

💡 Why is it important?

• It ensures taxpayers' money is used transparently and efficiently.
• It gets the best prices and quality through fair competition.
• It provides equal business opportunities to small businesses and micro-enterprises.
• It prevents corruption and increases transparency in procurement processes.

2️⃣ Main Functions and Features of G2B

📕 Core Functions of G2B

• G2B provides various procurement services. The main functions are:

  • Bid announcements: Government agencies post bid announcements for goods or services they need.
  • Online bidding: Companies can participate in bidding online.
  • Contract signing: Contracts with winning bidders are signed electronically.
  • Payment processing: Payments are made online after contract completion.
  • Shopping mall: An online shopping mall function for small purchases.

• It guarantees transparent and fair procedures. The main features are:

  • All bidding processes are conducted online, ensuring transparency.
  • Bidding information is disclosed in real-time for anyone to check.
  • Security is ensured through electronic signatures and encryption.
  • Human intervention is minimized through automated systems.
  • The process of selecting winners is disclosed transparently.

📕 Users and Scale

• Various organizations and companies use G2B. The users include:

  • Buying organizations: About 40,000 organizations including central government, local governments, public institutions, and educational institutions
  • Suppliers: About 300,000 companies from large corporations to small businesses and micro-enterprises
  • Annual transaction volume: About 150 trillion won worth of public procurement happens through G2B
  • Daily average bids: About 3,000 bids are processed every day

• G2B has significant economic effects. The main effects are:

  • Cost reduction: Average 10-15% cost savings through competitive bidding
  • Support for small businesses: Over 60% of total procurement is allocated to small and medium enterprises
  • Improved work efficiency: Processing time shortened by switching from paper-based work to electronic systems
  • Corruption prevention: Corruption possibilities eliminated through transparent procedures
  • National economic development: Enhanced industrial competitiveness through fair competition

Important Notes When Using G2B

1. Beware of identity theft scams: Increasing financial fraud and personal information theft attempts using G2B information
2. Bidding eligibility: Bidding participation is restricted if there are sanctions for dishonest companies or tax delinquency
3. Contract performance obligation: If you don't perform the contract after winning a bid, your bidding eligibility will be restricted
4. Document preparation: Accurate document submission is required, and false information will result in disadvantages
5. System maintenance: Usage may be restricted during regular system maintenance hours

3️⃣ How to Use G2B and Recent Issues

✅ G2B Usage Procedures

• You must start with company registration. The usage procedure is:

  • Access the G2B website (www.g2b.go.kr) and apply for company registration.
  • Submit required documents like business registration certificate and bank account copy online.
  • The Public Procurement Service reviews documents and approves company registration (usually takes 3-5 days).
  • After registration is complete, you can participate in bidding or use the shopping mall.
  • You must regularly update your company information.

• The bidding participation process is systematic. The bidding procedure is:

  • Search for bid announcements in your field of interest and check the details.
  • Confirm that you meet the bidding eligibility requirements.
  • Prepare necessary documents (proposals, quotations, etc.).
  • Submit your bid online (strictly observe the deadline).
  • Check the results after bid opening, and sign a contract if you win.

✅ Recent Increase in Identity Theft Scams and Response Measures

• Scams using G2B information are increasing. Types of scams include:

  • Calling while pretending to be government officials to encourage financial product subscriptions.
  • Sending fake contracts or purchase orders and demanding money as fees.
  • Asking for personal information or bank account details to deceive victims.
  • Demanding immediate responses by claiming urgency to cloud judgment.
  • 59 identity theft scam warning notices have been posted on G2B in the past 2 weeks.

• Response measures are needed to prevent scam damage. Prevention methods include:

  • Government agencies never call first to recommend financial product subscriptions.
  • If you receive suspicious contact, you should directly confirm with the relevant agency.
  • Never share personal information or bank account details.
  • You should directly check contract information on the official G2B website.
  • The Public Procurement Service is strengthening education and publicity to prevent identity theft scams.

4️⃣ Related Terms

🔎 Electronic Procurement

• Electronic procurement is a system that processes procurement work online.
• Electronic procurement (e-Procurement) refers to a system where government agencies or public organizations process all procedures for purchasing goods or services electronically through the internet. The purpose is to increase efficiency and transparency by converting traditional paper-based work to online.
• The main advantages of electronic procurement include: First, it's convenient as it can be used 24 hours a day. Second, it's transparent as all processes are recorded online. Third, it's environmentally friendly as it doesn't require paper documents. Fourth, it's efficient as processing time is shortened. Fifth, costs are reduced.
• Electronic procurement includes all procurement processes from bid announcements to contract signing and payment. Korea's G2B is evaluated as one of the world's most advanced electronic procurement systems, and many countries are benchmarking it. Through electronic procurement, fair competition and transparent procurement culture are being established.

🔎 Public Procurement

• Public procurement is the purchasing activities of government and public organizations for goods and services.
• Public procurement refers to all activities where government agencies, local governments, and public institutions purchase goods or services needed for their operations from private companies. Since it's done with taxpayers' money, it must be conducted transparently and fairly.
• The main principles of public procurement include: First, transparency - all processes must be disclosed. Second, fairness - equal opportunities must be provided to all companies. Third, competitiveness - optimal conditions must be secured through competitive bidding. Fourth, economic efficiency - purchases must be made at reasonable prices.
• Public procurement has a significant impact on the national economy. In Korea's case, about 150 trillion won worth of public procurement, equivalent to about 15% of annual GDP, takes place. Particularly, through small business support policies, small and medium enterprises' participation in public procurement is being expanded, contributing to balanced development of the economic ecosystem. The transparency and efficiency of public procurement are directly linked to national integrity.

🔎 Bidding

• Bidding is a competitive procedure for selecting contractors.
• Bidding refers to a competitive procedure where public institutions or private companies, when purchasing specific goods or commissioning construction or services, receive price and condition proposals from multiple companies and select the company that offers the most favorable conditions. Simply put, it's when multiple companies propose "I will do this work at this price."
• The main types of bidding include: First, open competitive bidding where all qualified companies can participate. Second, restricted competitive bidding where only companies meeting specific conditions can participate. Third, selective competitive bidding where only companies designated by the contracting agency participate. Fourth, single source contracts where contracts are made with only one company in special cases.
• While bidding is based on the principle of lowest price winning, recently comprehensive evaluation systems that comprehensively evaluate not only price but also technology, quality, and performance capability are spreading. This prevents dumping bids and encourages quality competition. The transparency and fairness of the bidding process are very important for the healthy development of the market economy.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can small businesses or individual business owners also do business on G2B?

A: Yes, of course it's possible. G2B actually actively supports the participation of small businesses and micro-enterprises. The government allocates over 60% of total procurement to small and medium enterprises through preferential purchasing policies for small business products. There are also exclusive bids that only small businesses can participate in, protecting them from being disadvantaged in competition with large corporations. G2B registration is also simple. You can easily register online with just basic documents like a business registration certificate and bank account copy, and registration is free. Especially for small purchases, you can easily trade through the G2B shopping mall, so even small-scale business owners can participate without burden. However, if there are tax delinquencies or sanctions for dishonest companies, bidding participation may be restricted, so honest business operation is important. The Public Procurement Service also provides education and consulting for small businesses, so please actively use these services.

Q: I received a suspicious call claiming to be from G2B. How should I respond?

A: Identity theft scams using G2B contract information have been rapidly increasing recently, so special caution is needed. If you receive suspicious calls, respond as follows. First, never rush. While scammers demand immediate responses claiming urgency, public institutions follow official procedures with sufficient time. Second, never share personal information or bank account details. Public institutions never request such information over the phone. Third, directly check contract information on the official G2B website (www.g2b.go.kr). If it's a real contract, it will definitely be posted on G2B. Fourth, if suspicious, call the relevant institution directly to confirm. Phone numbers can be confirmed on G2B or the institution's official website. Finally, if you've already been victimized, immediately report to the police (112) or Financial Supervisory Service (1332). G2B also operates an identity theft scam reporting center, so please actively use it.