Weekly English news | 2017.12.29
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week Article 1. Gyeonggi’s Career-resuming Adult Education Program (171219-2) [Anchor’s Headline] This year, Gyeonggi Province launched the Home Technician Education Program for unemployed middle-aged individuals seeking to return to the workforce. This program, which recently produced its first graduates, received positive responses with high satisfaction ratings from participants. ▶ Oh Seung-ho / Incheon City Resident Previously a long-time office worker, Oh (오승호), a graduate from this program, started a new life as a tile contractor working at two or three sites every day. Besides his increased income, he is more content now that he is his own boss and free from worries about retirement. ▶ Oh Seung-ho (Age 47) / Tile Contractor “Finding a new career was a constant worry after my early retirement. With this new job, I feel more relaxed with my life as well as with my finances.” ▶ Siheung Business Center, Korea Polytechnic University Life as a senior can be a more serious concern for career-interrupted women. However, Kim (김순정), the mother of a primary-school child, was able to nurture her dream of opening an interior business after obtaining national certification in papering. ▶ Kim Sun-jeong (Age 45) / Papering Specialist “I am not worried anymore since my acquired skills and certification ensure that I can start work any time I want.” The number of unemployed middle-aged individuals is increasing in Korea. ▶ Average Maximum Age for Economic Activities Desired by Koreans: 72 According to a survey, middle-aged Koreans wish to work until they are 72 years of age on average. Gyeonggi Province’s Home Technician Education Program is based on such demand. ▶ Choi Min-sik / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Lifelong Education Team “We launched this education program to help those seeking to start their second phase of life.” Among the graduates of the first class, more than 20 have already found employment in new job fields. Gyeonggi Province plans to expand this employment education program for middle-aged individuals by establishing four regional education sites and night classes. Article 2. Gyeonggi Moves to Protect Juveniles in Internship Work (1219-1) [Anchor’s Headline] In order to protect the labor rights of the students of specialized high schools during practical training at enterprises, Gyeonggi Province recently signed an agreement with related public organizations to find ways in which to monitor work sites and promote safe working environments for these youths. ► Semi-conductor Testing Equipment Enterprise, Suwon City This semi-conductor testing equipment manufacturer operates self-developed high school student internship procedures. These procedures require each student to experience all fields of work in the company during a six-month period before being assigned to a specific department of individual interest. ► Park Ki-beom / Senior, Samil Industrial High School, Suwon “My current goal is to learn the ropes in this department as well as in others before developing myself into a specialist.” ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office Complex (December 18) Cooperation Agreement for Protection of Labor Rights of Working Youths Under this agreement, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education will provide participating enterprises with labor right education while monitoring and supervising them to protect participating youths. ► Gyeonggi Province Education Superintendent Lee Jae-jeong “Since the practical training of youths at work sites must be continued, it is absolutely necessary that there are safety measures in place for these youths at their work sites.” Concurently, the Gyeonggi Province arm of the Federation of Korea Trade Unions and the Gyeonggi Province Employers’ Federation will provide related education to general high schools and employers ► Central Regional Employment & Labor Administrator Jeong Hyeong-woo “We will supervise the employers of youths to promote their positive efforts to protect youths in on-site training environments.” ► Gyeonggi to Open Youth Employment Consultation Desk For administrative support for youth employers, Gyeonggi Province plans to open a special youth employment consultation desk. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “Since Korea’s future depends of these working youths, we will do our utmost to enable them to work in safe environments.” A Gyeonggi provincial labor-employer-public committee will also be involved in this initiative through progress checking. Article 3. Old Lamps in Gyeonggi Tunnels to Be Replaced (1218-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced its plan to replace old lamps in 58 tunnels in the province with more effective and energy-efficient LED lights. This will significantly reduce the blinding effect that many drivers experience when they enter or exit a tunnel due to ineffective lighting. ► Danwolmyeongseong Tunnel, Yangpyeong County When our reporter drives into a tunnel on an expressway in Yangpyeong (양평) County, the sudden darkness causes the momentary loss of his vision. The situation inside the tunnel isn’t much better with many lamps being dim or completely burnt out, posing a serious accident risk due to lack of visibility. ► Lee Sang-beom / Yangpyeong County Resident “The light is too dim in the tunnel for driver comfort. We as local residents are always uncomfortable about it.” ► Gyeonggi to Replace 25,193 Old Lamps in 58 Tunnels From next year, a total of more than 25,000 old tunnel lamps will be replaced with high-efficiency LED lamps. These old lamps were made prior to 2010 and are now unable to produce sufficient light per tunnel-lighting standards. This can cause accidents that are usually are very serious. ► Ji Yun-seok / Safety Management Director, Korea Transportation Safety Authority “Sudden loss of vision is referred to as the ‘black hole effect’ it if occurs when entering a tunnel, and as a ‘white hole effect’ if it occurs exiting a tunnel. These blinding effects can lead to road accidents.” ► LED Lamps 50% Brighter Than Old Lamps The LED lamps are approximately 50 percent brighter than the previous lamps and consume less electricity. ► Annual Electricity Usage to Be Reduced by Half Such energy savings will amount to an annual reduction of KRW 860 million in electricity costs. ► Kim Hyeong-mok / Director, Gyeonggi Province Road Management Division “The purpose this initiative is to improve road environments through replacement of old tunnel lamps and thereby prevent road accidents.” Gyeonggi Province’s tunnel lamp-replacement project is an example of preventive safety measures and reflects public awareness of this necessity, which has been mounting in Korea in recent years following major accidents. Article 4. 200km Bicycle Tour Route Planned Across Gyeonggi Province (1219-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced a ten-year plan for a long-distance bicycle road that will be developed across its mid-section from the Han River in the east to Daebu (대부) Island in the west. ► South Han River Bicycle Route The number of bicycle travelers has been increasing in Korea with more bicycle routes being developed each year including the South Han River route that runs along that scenic river and though the surrounding nature. ► Kim Yun-seop / Bicycle Road User “The air in the areas along this bicycle road is clean and free of automobile fumes. It offers the best bicycle route that bicyclers could wish for.” The number of bicyclers in Korea has increased rapidly to approximately 13 million. ► Central Gyeonggi Administration Council The mid-Gyeonggi bicycle road development decision was made by the Central Gyeonggi Administration Committee. Originally proposed by Ansan (안산) City, this plan was finalized through the consensus of all seven regional governments along the route. This will be a long-distance bicycle tourism route that connects a number of regional bicycle roads. [CG] Tentatively titled ‘Mid-Gyeonggi Area Wide Bicycle Tour Road,’ this 200-kilometer route will be developed by connecting regional sections constructed individually. ► Ansan City Mayor Je Jong-gil “This is a joint bicycle road network development project agreed upon through the Central Gyeonggi Administration Council that is aimed at expanding tourism and transportation facilities for bicycle users.” When completed, this multi-regional bicycle road will have the effect of increasing the number of tourists in each region. Work will commence next year with the development of unified road signs and will be completed in ten years. Article 5. Art Show ‘Inside Out’ Held in Gyeonggi Museum (1220-3) [Anchor’s Headline] On December 15, a special exhibition that features the works of art describing the world hidden behind our lives opened at the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art. Our reporter was there to see how artists perceived different worlds beyond ordinary phenomena. - Preliminary Drawing of Burial Site in Phocion by Gubuyo Band This drawing depicts the chaos of a development site filled with debris and flying trash drawn with equally chaotic and random strokes. The whole picture satirically represents a monster-like urban landscape. - Strawberry by Insane Park In this work, a video image of a woman with a bright red wig and fruit is accompanied by lively music in a room full of items for women such as shoes, headbands and white stockings under red lighting. This work humorously conveys the first love and sexual experience of the artist. - Unstoppable Voice by Park Seong-yeon Although viewers cannot see water in the twenty buckets in this work, its existence is suggested by the image of water taps being turned. These are examples of the showcased works that describe the hidden notions of artists. ► [PiP] Lee Ga-yeon / Viewer from Siheung City “These works fascinated me since I could feel the hidden emotion and the sense of value of their creators.” ► 2017 Inside Out Exhibition (December 15, 2017, to March 25, 2018) This exhibition of the hidden worlds of artists, titled ‘Inside Out’, will run until March 25 next year. ► 70+ Artwork Include Video Arts, Oil Paintings and Installation Arts The showcased pieces took one year to create and consist of more than seventy works by ten artists selected by the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation. ► Yun Ga-hye / Curator, Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art “The subjects of the showcased works include life and death, urbanization, and urban life as well as ordinary things that we see through our lives.” This special 100-day exhibition provides us an opportunity to reconsider the hidden meanings of ordinary phenomena that we encounter but do not recognize in our lives. Article 6. Number of Foreign Patients in Gyeonggi Increases Rapidly (171220-2) [Anchor’s Headline] Over the past eight years, the number of foreign patients arriving in Gyeonggi Province for treatment has increased more than five times. This implies that the medical services of Gyeonggi Province are creating another Korean wave. ► Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital, Bucheon After hearing of the high quality medical services in Korea, this Kazakhstani woman chose a university hospital in Bucheon (부천) City for her treatment. After a successful operation and chemotherapy, she is ready to leave the hospital. ► Niklina Aksana / Patient from Kazakhstan “I heard a lot about many people who received treatment in Korea and had good results. Now I became one of them and am returning home feeling well.” ► 55,000+ Foreign Patients Received Treatment in Gyeonggi Province in 2017 This past year, the number of foreign patients who visited Gyeonggi Province for treatment was more than 55,000, approximately five times more than in 2009. The related medical service revenue also grew rapidly, increasing 16 times to KRW 114 billion over the same period. Of these patients, Chinese were the largest group with more than 22,000 patients. Such an increase is attributed to active international promotional activities by Gyeonggi Province and the improvement of supporting amenities such as language and transportation services. ► Ryu Yeong-cheol / Director, Gyeonggi Province Health Policy Division “Our medical service quality has become well known not only to medical personnel in foreign countries but also among the people in those countries. That explains the increase in the number of patients seeking treatment in Korea and in Gyeonggi Province.” Next year, when medical tourism officially marks its 10th year, Gyeonggi Province plans to expand its international medical service exchange areas from beyond China and Central Asia to America and Europe. This will also benefit the domestic pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. Article 7. Gyeonggi’s Environment Doctor Program Sought by More Users (171221-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been operating an on-site technical consultation and supervision service program for waste treatment known as the Environment Doctor Program. The number of applicants, mostly smaller enterprises with limited waste treatment resources, has been growing steadily. ► Fur Processing Enterprise, Ansan City This fur company in Ansan (안산) City operates a wastewater treatment tem to purify the large amounts of water generated during its washing, dying and drying processes. These facilities often failed to comply with wastewater treatment standards due to a lack of experience among personnel in operating the related tems. However, after receiving Environment Doctor services, the technical problems have been resolved. ► Wang Yang-hwan / CEO of Fur Enterprise “Problems can be serious since they can lead to large penalties. The treatment tem is now being operated stably thanks to the assistance provided (by the Environment Doctor).” Environment Doctor services are provided by specialists who visit SMEs that are experiencing difficulties in waste treatment fields including disposal, management, odors and water purification. [Sync] “The power distribution of the blower is not right. You may either raise this part or reduce this part to ensure even power distribution.” ► 2,400+ Enterprise Have Benefited from Environment Doctor Services Since its launch in 2003, the Environment Doctor services have helped more than 2,400 enterprises. ► Sa gong-hun / Gyeonggi Province Environment Doctor “The members of our team have more than 20 years of experience in environmental fields. We transfer the know-how we gained from our experience to our clients…” Instead of regulation-based control, the Environment Doctor tem of Gyeonggi Province ensures a clean environment through advanced technical guidance. ► Gyeonggi Province Industrial Complex Environment Management Office (☎ 031-8008-8210) Environment Doctor services are provided on an application basis. Gyeonggi Province targets 60 enterprises in industrial complexes as beneficiaries of these services next year. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.12.20
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week Article 1. Gyeonggi to Address Regional Imbalance in Sports Facilities (171211-2) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province recently issued guidelines for regional governments regarding public sports facilities. These guidelines are aimed at alleviating the regional imbalance in these facilities, the seriousness of which is well represented by Pocheon (포천) City with 99 public sports centers as compared to Gwacheon (과천) City with only 12. ► Yeoju Public Sports Center With a variety of sports facilities, this public sports center in Yeoju (여주) is regularly used by more than 1,200 residents monthly on average. ► Seo Myeong-jin / Yeoju Public Sports Center User “I use this sports center since it is close to my workplace and offers high quality facilities and coaching services.” [CG] The public sports facilities operated by Yeoju (여주) City numbers 54 while Gunpo (군포) City operates only 15 such facilities ► Distribution of Public Sport Facilities in Gyeonggi Province Regional Imbalance Such differences illustrate how serious the regional sports facility imbalance is in Gyeonggi Province even though the province has more than 1,300 public sports facilities, the largest such concentration in the nation. [CG] The average sports facility area per person, an indicator of the regional availability of such facilities, is 2.6 square meters for the entire province. [CG-Full Screen] This figure for Yeoju (여주) City is nine times greater than for the cities of Gunpo (군포), Gwangmyeong (광명), and Anyang (안양) combined. ► Gyeonggi Province Public Sports Facility Installation Standards Gyeonggi Province’s guidelines, which specify public sports facility installation standards based on local needs, have already been delivered to local governments. ► Hong Min-jeong / Gyeonggi Province Sports Support Team Official “These guidelines will be applied in the selection of public sports facility construction projects that will help alleviate the regional imbalance in such facilities…” In cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, Gyeonggi Province plans to increase the average sports facility area per person to 5.73 square meters by the year 2022. Article 2. Second Pangyo Techno Valley Development Plan Announced (171212-1) [Anchor’s Headline] On December 11, Gyeonggi Province and the Korean government jointly announced the 2nd Pangyo Techno Valley plan consisting of five development projects. The development plan specifies the opening of this techno valley by the year 2022. ► Second Pangyo Techno Valley With this additional techno valley, the Pangyo (판교) area in Seongnam (성남) City will become a comprehensive advanced technology center for industries of the future such as driverless vehicles and pilotless aircraft. ► Economic Ministers Meeting (December 11) The announcement of the plan came after a meeting between Korean ministries in economic fields and Gyeonggi Province. The active involvement of the Korean government in this plan signifies the importance of technical innovation and creative business startups in national economic growth as regarded by the central government. ► Deputy Prime Minister of Economy Kim Dong-yeon “We must successfully implement the Second Pangyo Techno Valley plan and promote this techno valley so that it can become an innovative business startup base of international caliber…” ► Gyeonggi Governor Emphasizes Necessity for Regulatory Mitigation Following the announcement of the plan, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil stated that active cooperation and regulatory mitigation by the central government are essential for the realization of the plan. The Second Pangyo Techno Valley will be developed on a 430,000 square-meter site 3 kilometers from the first techno valley with its opening slated for the year 2022. This new technology center will form a venture town of approximately 1,400 enterprises with comprehensive business startup support facilities. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “We will create a techno valley that offers an environmental model to which all those in advanced future technology fields such as autonomous vehicles, big data, and artificial intelligence can come and realize their goals…” The five development projects for the Second Pangyo Techno Valley are geared for the creation of an advanced technology cluster. These projects include the development of infrastructure for transportation and innovation in linkage with the first Pangyo Techno Valley as well as the establishment of cultural facilities for local and transient populations. Article 3. Winter-blooming Cacti Developed in Gyeonggi Province (171213-3) [Anchor’s Headline] The Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Research & Extension Services, or GARES, recently introduced new breeds of crab cactus - also known as Christmas cactus since they bloom during the winter - at a showcase held in its showroom. ► Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Research & Extension Services GARES introduced the first new crab cactus breeds in 2012. These breeds were so named since their stems resembled crab legs. ► New Crab Cactus Breeds Show (December 7) Although flower exports by Korea have decreased significantly in recent years, these breeds have been gaining popularity in overseas markets, especially in Japan. Flower farmers and distributors who attended the show appraised the marketability of these new breeds, which were showcased in full bloom in a variety of colors. ► Pyo Hong-cheol / Flower Farmer, Paju City “I believe that these cacti have great market potential since they are easy to grow at home and bloom every year.” This year, the breeds with dark orange and white flowers attracted the most attention among more than 30 flower farmers and distributors at the show. The breeds that receive positive ratings will be introduced to the market. ► Lee Sang-deok / Director, Cactus Research Center, GARES “We are now in the phase of determining the colors most favored by farmers and consumers.” To date, six crab cactus breeds have been developed, three of which have been exported to overseas markets. Development of local flower breeds helps reduce royalty payments for foreign breeds while increasing domestic famer income. Article 4. Gyeonggi Startup Campus Participants Return Favors to Society (1214-2) [Anchor’s Headline] The resident enterprises of Gyeonggi Province’s business incubation center, the Startup Campus, are participating in a campaign to return the favors they received from society through donations for social benefits. ► Hong Ui-hwan / Online Stray Cat Café Operator Hong (홍의환), a Startup Campus participant, opened an internet broadcasting channel specializing in animals. He operates an online stray cat café that runs 24 hours a day to find new owners for stray cats. Recently, Hong also began selling calendars through a crowdfunding website and has been donating half of the profits to the treatment of these cats. ► Hong Ui-hwan / CEO, Bremencast, Startup Campus Resident “I started this work as I want to help create a society in which animals can live in harmony with humans.” ► Park Jin-yeong / Wrist Band Developer Park (박진영), another Startup Campus participant, developed wrist bands that continuously check the health status of the wearer. He is currently supporting a volunteer youth group that provides seniors with free photographic portrait services. ► Park Jin-yeong / CEO, GoCuba Technology, Startup Campus Resident “I wanted to do something practical for senior members of society. When I met these youths, I felt ashamed of myself and decided to help them.” These are the stories of the resident enterprises of the OZ Incubation Center in the Startup Campus. ► Lee Ji-seon / Director, OZ Incubation Center, Startup Campus “We focus on social value (in our social service activities). I believe it is wonderful for enterprises to work for society from their early stages.” The resident enterprises of the Startup Campus, which received comprehensive business startup support from the center, are spreading the sharing culture by returning favors to society. Article 5. 70 Homeless Individuals in Gyeonggi Province Return to Society (1212-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been operating its Restart Program to help homeless individuals return to society through self-support. This provincially operated support program is funded by homeless individuals themselves from their earnings. ► Hwang Tae-seok / Suwon City Resident, Former Homeless After his business failed, Hwang (황태석) was homeless for many years. However, he was able to find work in a cleaning group and acquired skills in that field thanks to Gyeonggi Province’s Restart Program. He now runs his own cleaning business. ► Hwang Tae-seok / Former Restart Program Participant “I almost lost hope for living. However, after joining the cleaning group, I was endlessly grateful and even felt honored to be alive.” The Restart Program has completely transformed him. He is now the proud owner of a cleaning business with 40 employees. ► Gyeonggi Province Restart Program for Homeless The Restart Program helps homeless individuals by enabling them to become self-supporting through work. Participants are also provided with follow-up support for up to three years. This year, 70 homeless individuals are participating in self-supporting work through this program ► 30% of Earnings Saved in Self-Support Reserve Fund As a condition for work, the program participants are required to save approximately 30 percent of their earnings in a self-support reserve fund, currently amounting to KRW 237 million, which is used for follow-up support. ► Heo Seong-cheol / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Muhandolbom Team “We provide salary and other supports including accommodation support so as to help them return to society and restart stable lives.” Gyeonggi Province’s Restart Program is opening a door to new lives for homeless individuals through employment and continuous follow-up support. Article 6. Illegal Food Waste Disposal Businesses Uncovered in Gyeonggi (1213-2) [Anchor’s Headline] The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police recently staged a crackdown on illegal food waste disposal businesses and uncovered 43 locations that violated related environmental laws. Our reporter followed investigators to such sites. ► Food Waste Collection & Transportation Enterprise, Hanam City At this food waste disposal company, a large number of steel drums full of food waste are scattered in the yard. The area swarms with insects and the air is filled with an overpowering stench of long-rotting food. [Sync-voice modulated] “There is a constant stench. We see many birds flying in to feed on the food waste...” ► Farm in Pyeongtaek City On this farm, food waste of unknown origins is being transformed into a dog food ingredient. [Sync] “Is this (food waste) going to be fed to those dogs?” “Yes, after mixing like this…” The illegal practices vary greatly from food waste transporting without licenses to improper disposal without reporting. ► 43 Illegal Food Waste Disposal Businesses Uncovered During the crackdown, a total of 43 violators were uncovered, of which 21 were sent to prosecution. The rest will receive administrative punishments. ► Song Ki-seong / Chief Inspector, Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Bucheon Office “Food waste generating, transporting and disposal businesses are required by law to obtain licenses or report their activities so as to prevent secondary environmental contamination.” Gyeonggi Province is home to 47 percent of the food waste disposal businesses in Korea. Therefore, it is important for these businesses in the province to handle food waste appropriately to prevent environmental contamination and reduce public health risks. Article 7. Gyeonggi Province Hosts VR/AR Conference (1214-3) [Anchor’s Headline] On December 13, a conference on virtual and augmented reality opened in Gyeonggi Province for a two-day run under the theme of ‘The 4th Industrial Revolution and VR/AR Technologies’. This event featured an international conference as well as the demonstration of various related applications. ► Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (December 13-14) Gyeonggi Province Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Conference In one demonstration section, a job-searching youth wearing headgear participates in a virtual job interview in front of a computer. [Sync] “I have broader social experience than most other applicants. I believe that can work as a strong point in my application.” After the interview, the computer provides feedback as professionally as experienced interviewers in large organizations. It did not miss even trivial things such as voice volume, speaking speed and finger movements used by interviewee. This was made possible through the use of virtual reality technology. ► Park Jin-yang / Visitor from Bucheon City “People are becoming more familiar with virtual reality as more varied virtual reality contents are introduced.” The conference provided visitors with a wide variety experiences in virtual and augmented reality, also referred to as VR and AR. Such content is already popular in games. ► Specialist Forum and Lectures The conference also featured a forum on related subjects as well as lectures by specialists ► Oh Chang-hui / President, Gyeonggi Content Agency “This conference will provide us with an opportunity to review the effects of new VR and AR technologies on our lives and to consider how we can adapt to these technologies and what possibilities there are…” Virtual reality and augmented reality are technology fields leading the 4th Industrial Revolution. In addition to conference participants, this two-day event received more than 1,000 visitors who saw the potential for these technologies in our future lives. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.12.13
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1. Gyeonggi Supports Small Businesses (171204-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been promoting good practices among franchises and family businesses as part of its support for small businesses. This policy stems from high failure rates and decreasing average survival periods among small businesses in the province. ► Pork Barbecue Franchise Restaurant This pork barbecue franchise restaurant uses diced pork and cylindrical barbecue grills, the characteristics of this franchise. Unlike other franchisers who treat their franchisees unfairly through inordinate interference with purchases and interiors, the franchiser of these restaurants allows its franchisees the freedom to source their own supplies. ► Gang Hui-yeong / CEO, Pork Barbecue Franchising Enterprise “Although we offer low prices since we can get quantity discounts, some restaurants may be able to make purchases at prices lower than ours through their personal channels. We have no reason to disallow such opportunities...” Encouraged by such favorable treatment by the franchiser, the number of its franchised restaurants and their average sales grew quickly. Family business is another area targeted by Gyeonggi Province’s small business promotion initiatives. This red pepper paste company has been a family business through three generations. The current owner has been making it a greater success than ever by applying modern techniques and using online sales channels. ► Ji Hyeon-jun / Family Business “To me, it is not just a continuation of a family business. I am more concerned about how I can positively change this business through creative ideas…” Recently, Gyeonggi Province selected 60 franchisers and 50 family businesses with exemplary business practices and provided them with support. ► Seo Ki-cheon / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Small Business Development Team “Since the 3-year survival rate of small businesses is very low at 46 percent, we focus our support on stability and continuation of their businesses. Gyeonggi Province’s small business support is geared to help these businesses adapt to new business environments. Article 2. Public Administrative Idea Contest Held in Gyeonggi (171205-1) [Anchor’s Headline] On December 4, the finals of the 3rd Gyeonggi Province Creative Proposal Audition, an annual public contest for administrative ideas, took place at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex in Suwon City, and saw the selection of 8 finalists. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (December 4) 3rd Gyeonggi Province Creative Proposal Audition As seen on previous occasions, this year’s finalists come from diverse backgrounds including students and company employees. This year’s contest was held in two thematic areas: social welfare services and national reunification education. Son (손채영), a contestant, proposed the employment of marriage immigrant Viese women as Viese conversation instructors. ► Son Chae-yeong / Creative Proposal Audition Contestant “The demand for Viese speakers will increase as the importance of Vietnam as a major market for SMEs increases.” One of the contestants came on the stage twice: first with a tourism content idea for reunification education and then regarding public official employment examinations. There were also ideas for used ground coffee recycling and national reunification UCC contests. ► Idea on Technical Service Platform Won Top Prize An idea about a technical service platform won the first prize for usefulness and for its potential to create jobs for retired technicians. ► Lee Yeong-chan / Top Prize Winner “It can provide seniors over 50 years of age who possess skills and knowhow with opportunities to work in areas they are comfortable with…” During the finals, which featured a judging panel of 10 specialists, 5 ideas were finally selected based on their feasibility and potential benefits. ► Gam Byeong-uk / Chairman of Judging Panel “We evaluated ideas based on their feasibility in both technical and financial terms as well as on their potential benefits in reality…” The selected ideas will be adopted as provincial policies. To date, a total of 19 award-winning ideas have been developed into and implemented as actual policies. Each year, this administrative idea contest reflects the increasing interest in it among members of the public. Article 3. Gyeonggi Develops Large Business Effect Analysis System (171206-2) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced the development of a large business effect analysis tem using big data. Since this tem can be used to predict the effects of new large businesses on local commerce, Gyeonggi Province expects that it will also help facilitate cooperation and coexistence between new and existing local businesses. ► Large Shopping Mall in Suwon City Downtown Suwon (수원) City has an average daily floating population of 14 million. With easy access and direct connection to the city’s railway station, a large shopping mall in this area is always crowded with visitors and commuters throughout the week, a far cry from the scenes of the side-street markets in the area. ► Kim Jin-suk / Merchant Near Large Shopping Mall “Our sales decreased approximately 50 percent. People prefer large shopping mall since traditional market environments are inferior.” When a large business with a retail area of 3,000 square meters or more is constructed in a commercial area, it is subject to an analysis of its commercial effect by the regional government prior to the issuance of construction permits so as to protect small shops in the area. ► Commercial Effect Analysis Using Big Data This is also the reason Gyeonggi Province developed a large business effect analysis tem. This tem will use related big data to analyze commercial effects of a large shop on the surrounding area within a radius of 3 kilometers. ► Seo Ki-cheon / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Small Business Development Team “(With this tem,) we can collect objective data and local governments will be able to verify business location analysis reports scientifically…” According to the plan, the operation of this tem will cover the entire province by April next year. Gyeonggi Province also plans to expand the usage of the tem to free-of-charge public services for business startups and management improvement. Article 4. Gyeonggi Operates Humanity School for Homeless Individuals (171204-2) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 23, Gyeonggi Province’s humanity school for homeless individuals produced its fifth round of graduates. Gyeonggi Province has been operating this school to help homeless individuals achieve independent lives. Graduates are provided with employment and accommodation support. ► Jang Chung-hwan / Former Homeless, Suwon City After receiving humanity education, Jang (장충환), a homeless individual who has been living in a shelter in Suwon (수원) City, found a new life. He now has a job as a cleaner at a free meal service for the homeless. With a steady income, he also has a renewed dream of running his own restaurant. ► Jang Chung-hwan / Graduate of Humanity School for Homeless “Without any means of supporting myself, I was having difficulties finding food and a place to sleep. Through the humanity education, I changed little by little and finally decided to get a job.” ► Eoggaedongmu Humanity School Graduation Ceremony On graduation day, 25 homeless individuals received diplomas after completing a 9-month education course in humanities including literature, history and philosophy. Of these graduates, 19 have already found employment through provincial employment support. Twenty were provided with public rental housing into which they will soon move. ► Graduates Provided with Continuous Support In addition, graduates will be provided with continuous support for their return to society. Gyeonggi Province will continue its support for homeless individuals through the development of a customized support program. ► Sin Nang-hyeon / Director General, Gyeonggi Province Health & Welfare Bureau “We organized this humanity education for homeless individuals so as to help them regain independence by rekindling their self-respect and sense of social involvement.” The number of homeless individuals living outdoors this winter in Gyeonggi Province is estimated to be 920. At Gyeonggi Province’s humanity school, they can restore their hope for a new life of independence and warmth. Article 5. Small Industrial Business Populated Area Designation System (171205-2) [Anchor’s Headline] In Korea, the Urban Small Industrial Business Populated Area Designation System was introduced as the basis for national and local government support for such businesses in the designated areas. In Gyeonggi Province, three areas were included in the first designation. ► Spring manufacturer, Siheung City In an industrial area in Siheung (시흥) City, Cho (조성기) operates a spring manufacturing business with nine employees. The designation of the area as an urban small industrial business populated area last June brought a turning point to his business. ► Cho Seong-ki / CEO, Spring Manufacturing Enterprise “I am very pleased that I could realize my dream of having a laboratory, registering as a venture business, reducing defect rates and improving the environment.” Thanks to such designation, commonly referred to as ‘populated area designation’, Cho was able to receive operational support that led to an increase in sales of more than 30 percent. ► GTV Reporter Koo Young-Seul “Small industrial businesses play an important role just like small blood vessels in our body. The populated area designation enables them to improve their competitiveness.” Granted by the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups upon application by local governments, the populated area designation entails extensive support for small industrial businesses in the designated areas. ► Small Business Specialization Support Center Support includes specialization financing as well as technical and marketing support through specialization centers. [CG] The small industrial businesses in the first three designated areas in Gyeonggi Province, which are located in the cities of Siheung (시흥), Yongin (용인) and Yangju (양주), will receive support totaling KRW 7 billion until the year 2020. ► Seo Ki-cheon / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Small Business Development Team “Urban small industrial businesses operate in small spaces with inferior working environments. Our support is geared to improving their competitiveness through the improvement of such conditions.” Gyeonggi Province plans to increase the number of designated areas to 6 by the year 2021 and will develop comprehensive support programs for these areas. There are approximately 28,000 small industrial businesses in the province. Article 6. Gyeonggi to Strengthen Unfair Trade Monitoring (171206-1) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province entered an agreement with the Ministry of Public Administration & Security, Seoul, and the Fair Trade Commission for the promotion of fair trade. By signing a cooperation agreement, the four authorities will jointly pursue the strengthening of unfair trade monitoring power. ► Franchise Gimbop Restaurant, Seongnam City Kim (김민수), the owner of a gimbop franchise restaurant, often had fierce arguments with the franchiser over highhanded demands. This franchiser forced him to use food ingredients that it supplied at high prices and even charged for advertising that he did not request. His defiance was met with contract cancelation and a lawsuit. ► Kim Min-su / Gimbop Franchise Restaurant Owner “I was devastated and thought that my life was over. The imperiousness of franchisers is going beyond reason in taking advantage of the weaknesses of their franchisees...” Kim turned to Gyeonggi Province’s unfair trade consultation center and was able to resolve the conflict. The franchiser later withdrew the lawsuit. ► Gimbop Franchiser Personnel (voice modulated) “We admit that we failed to secure confidence from our franchisees and we regret that.” ► Gyeonggi R&D Center (December 5) Signing of Fair Trade Cooperation Agreement The key element of this cooperation agreement, which was signed on December 5, is the transfer of... ► Administrative Power Transfer to Autonomous Bodies … the power of investigation and disposal from the Fair Trade Commission to autonomous bodies. ► Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kim Sang-jo “There are limitations in the capacity of the Fair Trade Commission to deal solely with a large number of unfair trade cases. It is time we found a fundamental solution. We are going to find the answer in power decentralization.” This means that autonomous bodies will be empowered to punish unfair trade practices. ► Dispute Conciliation Committees and Fair Trade Support Centers to Be Established This agreement also specifies the establishment of dispute conciliation committees and fair trade support centers. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “This initiative is meaningful in that the central and regional governments are cooperating for a common cause. Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost by actively participating in the eradication of unfair trade practices.” Through cooperation between the central government and regional governments, unfair trade monitoring will now be strengthened and relief for unfair trade victims accelerated. Article 7. Gyeonggi’s ‘Industrial SOS’ Program Marks Close to 100% Resolution Rate (1205-3) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province’s Total Business Support Program, also referred to as the Industrial SOS program, with an online help desk and on-site administrative support tem, marked an incredible achievement by successfully resolving almost 100 percent of more than 8,000 industrial distress calls received this year. ► Gobulo Industrial Complex, Gwangju City The enterprises in this hilly section of Gwangju (광주) City had been experiencing difficulty due to a deficient water supply. Those that require large amounts of water were forced to leave the area. However, the water problem is now a thing of the past for the 40 enterprises in this area thanks to the water supply tem installed through the Total Business Support Program. ► Kim Hyeong-nam / CEO, Metal Coating Enterprise “We have no problem with water now. All companies in the area are satisfied with the current water supply.” ► Road to Industrial Area, Gwangju City This road, which leads to an industrial area, was notorious for its frequent submergence during rainy seasons. It was also very dangerous for drivers who were unfamiliar with the area. Gyeonggi Province’s Industrial SOS program has resolved the problem by installing rainwater drains. ► Lee Taek-gyeong / CEO, Landscaping Enterprise “The road is now in good condition. Vehicles have no problem using it. Since they installed large drain pipes, we are not worried about rainy seasons anymore.” ► Problems Resolved through Site Visits by Officials These are the industrial distress cases that were resolved through site visits by the Governor of Gyeonggi Province this past May. In addition to visits by the governor, Gyeonggi Province has been employing various means by which to resolve industrial site issues. ► 99.8% of 86,000+ Industrial SOS Cases Resolved This year alone, the Industrial SOS program identified more than 86,000 industrial site issues via online reports and phone calls; of these, 99.8 percent were resolved. ► Cho Jae-gu / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Total Business Support Team “We are proud to say that Gyeonggi Province ranks first in the nation in resolving industrial SOS calls. This program is committed to resolving troublesome site issues quickly and completely.” Gyeonggi Province plans to expand the Industrial SOS network to include applications through mobile devices, and will provide one-stop solutions through the active operation of network elements. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV . We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.12.07
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1. Earthquake-resistance Reference Map Available in Gyeonggi (171127-2) [Anchor’s Headline] After the recent occurrence of two consecutive earthquakes in southeastern regions of the nation, social concerns have increased among Koreans regarding the ability of houses and buildings to resist earthquakes. In Gyeonggi Province, such information is available from an online provincial real estate portal. ► Image by Courtesy of Seo In-jik In this recording of an earthquake, a building sways and threatens to collapse on the cars parked outside. ► Image by Courtesy of Kim Tae-yang The parking lot of a building was flooded after a water pipe burst. Earthquakes are rare and thus have not been the cause of social concerns in Korea. However, recent events have led more people to this website to check if the buildings they are using are earthquake-safe. ► Lim Jong-yun / Gwangju City Resident “I saw buildings collapse on news videos. I am worried that my home might suffer similar damage during an earthquake.” ► Earthquake Resistance Compulsory for Building Permits from 1988 Earthquake-resistant designs became compulsory for all building permits in Korea in 1988. ► Gyeonggi Real Estate Portal (http://gris.gg.go.kr) This means that buildings constructed prior to 1988 are potentially vulnerable to earthquakes. ► Go Jung-guk / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Space Information Team “These requirements have been revised six times to date. We developed the reference map tem to enable users to check the application of earthquake resistant designs based on these requirements.” The reference maps on the Gyeonggi Real Estate Portal enable users to check the application of earthquake-resistant building designs at all addresses. ► GTV Reporter Han Seon-ji “The buildings shown in white were not designed to withstand earthquakes. All the rest are those constructed with earthquake-resistant designs.” The reference maps also provide detailed information about each building when clicked. The number of daily visitors to the Gyeonggi Real Estate Portal has increased to 7,500. Article 2. Hydroponic Farming Using Fish Developed in Gyeonggi (171128-2) [Anchor’s Headline] A Gyeonggi agricultural institute announced the development of an environment-friendly hydroponic method utilizing fish in water tanks. This water culture method makes use of water purified by vegetables to support fish while fish waste is used by vegetables as a source of nutrients. ► Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services Using catfish and lettuce, the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research & Extension Services, also known as GARES, developed this method through which lettuce roots keep water clean and absorb nutrients excreted by catfish. ► Fish Farming and Water Culture This new hydroponic method can achieve the dual purposes of fish farming and water culture while reducing the costs of both. ► Kim Jin-yeong / Deputy Director, Urban Horticulture Team, GARES “This is a combined hydroponic-and-fish-farming technique that enables plants to utilize the organic contents of fish waste.” Since this symbiosis between fish and plants eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers and large amounts of water, farmers can realize organic farming as well as fish farming at greatly reduced costs. This method has so far been tested successfully with five leaf vegetables and two fish species. ► Kim Jin-yeong / Deputy Director, Urban Horticulture Team, GARES “This technique can be developed further and applied to more varied fish and plant species including even fruiting vegetables.” ► Expanded Applications Require Development of Fish Feeds High Productivity GARES will continue its research on combined hydroponic and fish-farming methods through the development high yield fish feed and, after refining the techniques, plans to introduce the method to farmers from 2019. Article 3. Gyeonggi to Supply Microdust Masks to Young Children (171129-1) [Anchor’s Headline] From next year, Gyeonggi Province will supply microdust masks free of charge to 400,000 children of less than 6 years of age in the province. These masks will carry the image of Dibo, a dragon character popular among young children. Created in Korea, Dibo is a dragon doll with a chest bag that hides presents. This character is loved by young children in approximately 80 countries around the world. ► Ocon Animation Studio, Pangyo (November 28) Announcement of Supply of Dibo Character Masks to Children The microdust masks that Gyeonggi Province will supply to children will bear the image of Dibo. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “We created these masks to protect our children from microdust, which increases during the winter and spring.” ► Free Use of Dibo Image on Masks Permitted by Owner Thanks to an agreement with the Dibo character owner, the use of the Dibo image on masks was realized free of charge. ► Kim Il-ho / CEO, Ocon Animation Studio “We hope that, with this character image on the masks, children will become more familiar with using the masks.” ► 400,000 Children Under 6 The Dibo masks will be supplied to approximately 400,000 children of less than 6 years of age through welfare facilities for children. Each child will receive six masks as well as instructions for use. Gyeonggi Province also plans to supply 400,000 microdust masks to individuals who are under the care of local health centers. The microdust masks to be supplied free of charge to children and adults are of KF80 grade or higher and manufactured in accordance with requirements specified by the Korean Ministry of Food & Drug Safety. Article 4. Gyeonggi Assembly Passes Semi-public Intercity Bus System Proposal (1127-1) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 27, a joint proposal by Gyeonggi Province and cities and counties of the province for the realization of a semi-public intercity bus management tem was passed by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly at a general meeting. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly (November 27) 4th general Meeting of 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session The passage of this proposal took place in the presence of the representatives of the 24 cities and counties in which intercity buses operate. Under this proposal, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and related local governments will enter a formal agreement on semi-public intercity bus management tem operations. ► Han Gil-ryong / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “The semi-public intercity bus management tem must be realized this time in order to protect the lives and ensure the safety of our residents as well as bus drivers who work hard in difficult working conditions.” The proposal passed with 67 votes out of the 99 assembly members present. ► Semi-public Intercity Bus Management Systems to Be Introduced Early in 2019 With the passage of the proposal, semi-public intercity bus management tem operation is now expected to be realized early next year after the finalization of related budgets and preparations. ► Improvement in Operational Efficiency and Driver Employment Conditions The objective of this new tem is to improve the safety and convenience of intercity bus operations through the improvement of bus operational efficiency and driver employment conditions. ► Jang Yeong-geun / Director General, Gyeonggi Province Transportation Bureau “Based on the opinions we have collected through the political coalition utive committee, the 4-group administration-council committee and 8-person utive committee, we will create a semi-public operation tem for area wide buses with which all will be satisfied.” For the successful introduction and operation of the new intercity bus management tem, Gyeonggi Province will work hard to clarify procedural details including cost rationalization and the establishment of monitoring tems. Article 5. Gyeonggi to Expand Startup Campus to Accommodate Asian Enterprises (1128-1) [Anchor’s Headline] The Startup Campus, a business incubation facility established by Gyeonggi Province, recently celebrated its first anniversary. Over the past year, this campus has had a significant impact on the growth of participating new businesses, and it now plans to expand the participant range. ► Pangyo Startup Campus Since this medical equipment enterprise joined the Startup Campus with 10 employees in July, its business has grown at a surprisingly rapid rate. This company now receives enquiries from more than 60 nations worldwide. ► [PiP] Kim Su-wan / Director, Medical Equipment Enterprise – Startup Campus Resident “Since we joined Startup Campus, we have been enjoying locational advantages as well as operational economy through the free use of facilities.” Through the Startup Campus, this company was also able to secure investment of KRW 3 billion in research and development. ► 24 New Businesses There are 24 new enterprises that are currently residents of the Startup Campus. At this campus, these enterprises receive comprehensive support through the entire business startup process from the identification of business ideas to foundational growth. ► [PiP] Baek Song-hui / Pet Animal Equipment Enterprise – Startup Campus Resident “As a new business, we had seriously lacked information and capital resources. After we joined the Startup Campus and received business incubating services, we were able to develop detailed business plans and …” ► Declaration of Startup Campus Vision on 1st Anniversary During a 3-day international conference organized in commemoration of the first anniversary of the Startup Campus, Gyeonggi Province declared new visions for the campus. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “From now on, we will accept youths with excellent business ideas from Asian countries and help them create new businesses that can grow into global enterprises.” These visions define how Startup Campus operation will be expanded to include youths from other Asian countries through cooperation with related organizations in 6 Asian nations and the invitation of youths for education at the campus. Article 6. Animal Art Exhibition Opens in Icheon (1129-3) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 23, an animal-themed art exhibition titled Special Exhibition 2017 Happy Zoo opened at the Icheon (이천) World Ceramic Center. This exhibition features artwork that presents the value of life and the meaning of animals to humans through the depiction of animals that are closely related to humans. ► 1,025 Devoid of Love and Human Company by Yun Seok-nam This wooden composition depicts 1,025 abandoned dogs packed in cages. The faces of these dogs show the hunger and despair that these animals have been suffering to exhaustion. Through their eyes, viewers can read the sorrow of being abandoned by their s. ► Scientific Names by Park Jun-sang This deer-like creature has its joints immobilized with nails. Its body is filled with gray machines instead of organs. This art piece symbolizes wild animals that succumbed to exploitation by humans. Lost penguins that have no remaining habitats due to global warming show us how animals are seriously endangered. Another composition with a ship – a symbol of distress – filled with various animals dreaming of a revolt against humans compels us to reflect on ourselves. ► [PiP] Park Do-hye / Viewer from Seongnam City “I took it for granted that some animals need to be sacrificed for humans. This exhibition made me become a little emotional and reconsider those animals.” ► Special Exhibition 2017 Happy Zoo / Icheon World Ceramic Center Organized by the Korea Ceramic Foundation, the special exhibition Happy Zoo showcases 110 works about various animals in the lives of humans. ► Artworks Created by Animal-Loving Artists These works encompass various art forms including ceramics, paintings and videos that were created by more than 30 animal-loving artists. ► Jeong Han-ju / Curator, Korea Ceramic Foundation “This exhibition showcases artwork covering a range of animals from pets to laboratory animals, livestock and even endangered species. It will make viewers think about how humans and animals can coexist happily.” ► Exhibition Continues until March 25, 2018 This exhibition reminds viewers of the value of life and the importance of coexistence between animals and humans while encouraging us to think about animal abuse and abandonment. This special exhibition about animals around humans will run until March 25 next year. Article 7. Earthquake Disaster Drill Held in Gyeonggi Province (1130-3) [Anchor’s Headline] The earthquake that recently occurred in the Pohang (포항) area was the second largest recorded in Korea. Alerted by this event, Gyeonggi Province held an earthquake disaster drill with related organizations. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Paju Hospital The first alarm is raised at a provincial hospital. [Sync] “Code Grey, Code Grey, Code Grey. All disaster personnel, please report to the 1st floor lobby immediately.” The alarm is followed by an emergency broadcast announcing the occurrence of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. While people evacuate the hospital, medical personnel help with patient evacuation. Within one minute of the emergency broadcast, the disaster headquarters begins to function. Outdoor clinics are erected for patients of different degrees of urgency. Hospital maps and situational updates are shared with all hospital personnel in real time via a mobile messenger service. Although this drill is based on a hypothetical situation, everyone in the hospital and those in other related organizations and surrounding disaster areas work in seamless harmony. ► [PiP] Kim Ye-chan / Pocheon City Resident “I could learn what to do and how to do it in real disaster situations. After the earthquake in the Pohang area, people became nervous. But I now know how best to respond to natural disaster like that.” ► Gyeonggi Province Disaster Drill (November 29) This was a comprehensive simulated disaster drill organized by Gyeonggi Province. ► 100 Related Personnel Participated More than 100 personnel from medical centers, the Disaster & Safety Headquarters and related organizations participated in the drill. ► Eom Won-ja / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Emergency Medical Team “We conducted disaster drills in eight areas where the availability of emergency medical service is relatively low so as to better prepare medical personnel in these areas for possible natural disasters.” Gyeonggi Province plans to develop disaster response manuals for medical personnel and disaster education for personnel of related organizations in the province. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.12.01
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1. Human-driven vs Self-driving Car Races Held in Pangyo (171120-1) [Anchor’s Headline] Races between human-driven and self-driving cars took place in Pangyo (판교) Zero City, an area designated by Gyeonggi Province for trial operations of autonomous vehicle tems. [Sync] “Three, two, one, go!” ► Pangyo Zero City, Seongnam City (November 17) Pangyo Autonomous Motor Show 2017 At the starting signal, two cars set off for a race through an obstacle course. ► Human-driven Cars vs Autonomous Vehicles The car on the left has a human driver while the car on the right with an orange light is an autonomous car driven by artificial intelligence. Although neither of the two cars outpaces its opponent at first, the car with a human driver begins to gain when the car enters a section with many obstacles and curves. ► Bae Mun-su / Participating Driver “I thought it would be an easy race. However, I instinctively became emulous of winning in the later part.” Although the performance of the autonomous vehicles improved as the race progressed, all were defeated by the eight human drivers who ranged from a beginner to an experienced taxi driver. ► Jeong Du-sum / Participating Driver “As an experienced driver, I was confident to win. Today’s race gave me so much fun as I tried to break the records.” This event was organized as part of the Pangyo (판교) Autonomous Motor Show to evaluate current autonomous vehicle technologies. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “Using autonomous vehicles, individuals with visual impairments, for example, are now able to travel by car.” Although the world’s first organized car races between humans and machines ended with complete human victory, this event provided valuable data for the development and commercialization of autonomous vehicles. Article 2. Gyeonggi’s New Enterprise Support Proves Successful (171120-2) [Anchor’s Headline] The Up Creative Audition, a Gyeonggi Province business startup support program that aims to connect business ideas of good potential with investors, has proven itself effective by successfully assisting in more than 40 business startups within 3 years of its launch. ► Photochromic Glass Enterprise, Hwaseong City Within a year of its business conception, this glass manufacturer, which specializes in glasses that change color in light, completed product development and production facility installation. With presentable offices and seven development personnel, this company is now ready to begin full operation thanks to investments of more than KRW 1 billion that this company was able to secure through Gyeonggi Province’s Up Creative Audition. ► Park Sang-hyeon / Vice President, Photochromic Glass Manufacturing Enterprise “Without the opportunity we were given, it would have taken much longer than a year. The Up Creative Audition let us be known and helped us secure the investment we needed in less than six months.” ► Coffee Shop, Suwon City Assisted by specialists he met at the audition, Lee (이성준), a coffee machine designer, was able to make his first sale within only six months of starting his business. ► Lee Seong-jun / Founder of Coffee Machine Enterprise “I launched products with modified designs in September and, within one month, sold more than 20 machines. Encouraged by such positive responses from customers, I now plan to develop smaller machines for personal use…” Since the first Up Creative Audition in 2015, successful new businesses have continually emerged through this event that features potential investors as judges and consultants. ► 40+ Businesses Secure Investment through Up Creative Audition To date, more than 40 contestants have received investments totaling KRW 4.1 billion through 12 occasions of this event. ► Kang Seong-mun / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Proposal System Team “This program has contributed to local economic promotion and job creation by providing new businesses with an opportunity to meet investors as well as business startup support.” Initial funding is critical for the success of fledgling businesses. The Up Creative Audition enables the realization of business ideas by connecting them with investors. The next and final Up Creative Audition of the year is slated for December 12. Article 3. Gyeonggi Moves to Promote Pyeongchang Winter Olympics (171121-2) [Anchor’s Headline] With the Pyeongchang (평창) Winter Olympic Games less than three months away, the deputy heads of Gyeonggi Province and its 31 cities and counties convened to discuss ways in which to promote this historic international sports festival. ► Korea Paralympic Committee Icheon Training Center (November 20) Gyeonggi Province & Local Government Deputy Heads Meeting This meeting marks the beginning of Gyeonggi Province’s comprehensive support of neighboring Gangwon (강원) Province, the host of the event, in the promotion and successful hosting of the Winter Olympics. ► Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Jae-yul “This means that the 13 million Gyeonggi residents join in the making of a proud nation through the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.” Support will continue until the end of the games. ► Gyeonggi Province to Purchase Tickets Valued KRW 2 Billion During the meeting, it was decided that approximately 30,000 Olympic event tickets would be purchased for use as a gifts to young athletes and those in low income brackets in the province. The celebration of events at local Olympic torch relay sites and the dispatch of officials to Gangwon (강원) Province to provide on-site assistance were also discussed. ► Gangwon Province Deputy Governor Song Seok-du “I hope that we will successfully and peacefully host the Olympic Games so we can show to the world that we are a strong and safe nation.” Featuring athletes from 95 nations, the Pyeongchang (평창) Winter Olympic Games will run for 17 days from February 9. Gyeonggi Province will play a part in successfully hosting these second Olympic Games to be held in the nation. Article 4. Gyeonggi Offers Gimjang Ingredients at Low Prices (1121-3) [Anchor’s Headline] At this time of year, Koreans prepare large amounts of kimchi for consumption during the winter. Known as gimjang (김장), this annual ritual can be a worry for homemakers due to associated costs. To help relieve such worries, the Gyeonggi Cyber Market currently offers gimjang (김장) ingredients at low prices. [CG] Gimjang (김장) costs an estimated KRW 260,000 per household on average when the ingredients are purchased from traditional markets. ► Prices for Main Ingredients Decrease, but Increase for Supplementary Ingredients When purchased at large supermarkets, the costs are nearly 20 percent higher. Although the prices for the main ingredients, cabbage and turnip, are lower than those of last year, the total costs are nearly the same due to high prices for supplementary ingredients. ► Jeong Bok-ja / Yongin City Resident “I have no choice since we have to eat kimchi. I am going to make a smaller quantity this year, keep it in a freezer and eat sparingly.” ► Gyeonggi Cyber Market: kgfarm.gg.go.kr Operated by Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Cyber Market is an online shopping mall specializing in quality agricultural products of the province. This shopping mall currently operates a gimjang (김장) sale event through which packages of salted cabbage and filling are offered at a 41 percent discount. Extra discount coupons are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. This provincial online food market offers foods with G-mark certification produced by certified farmers and food-processing enterprises. ► Won Ik-jae / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Brand Marketing Team “Since the kimchi ingredients sold on the Gyeonggi Cyber Market are of higher quality, their prices can also be a little higher. However, they are offered at very low prices during this event, and we hope many consumers will use this market.” The special gimjang sale on the Gyeonggi Cyber Market will run until December 10. Article 5. Gyeonggi Bus Info App Upgraded (1120-3) [Anchor’s Headline] The mobile bus information app service provided by Gyeonggi Province is used by many residents. Known as the Gyeonggi Bus Info app, this application has recently been upgraded. ► Sim Gyu-ri / Student Sim (심규원), a college student living in Suwon (수원) City, always checks the arrival time of the next bus via the Gyeonggi Bus Info app when he travels to and from his school in Seoul. ► [PiP] Sim Gyu-ri / Gyeonggi Bus Info App User “Buses are almost my only means of transportation. The real-time bus location information provided by this app is really a convenience since such information saves me a lot of time. It also provides information about the number of vacant seats.” ► Used 6.1 Million Times by 400,000 Subscribers Monthly Released in 2010, this mobile application has more than 400,000 subscribers who use the service a combined average of 6.1 million times a month. ► GTV Reporter Ku Yeong-seul “Thanks to the faithful support of its users, the Gyeonggi Bus Info app has recently been upgraded to provide greatly improved services.” Improvements were made in four service elements. - Bus arrival information provided in both ways Information about buses running in opposite directions can also be checked at approximately 1,600 bus stops that serve such routes. - Detailed error report User complaints can be entered in detail via an error-reporting function. - Information standardized for number of vacant seats and vehicle number The number of vacant seats and the vehicle number are indicated with bus icons. - Screen display improved New screens are displayed much more quickly and bus locations are indicated with moving icons. ► Yun Yeo-cheon / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Bus Information Team “We made significant improvement of bus information app services based on the comments received from users regarding inconveniences and problems with bus services.” Upgraded to a higher level of user-orientated services, the new version of the Gyeonggi Bus Info app can be downloaded from Google Play and the iPhone App Store. Article 6. Gyeonggi Expands Public Data Service Range (1121-1) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been operating a data service tem known as Gyeonggi Data Dream through which provincially owned data is disclosed for use by the public, and has been continuously expanding the range of data available via this tem. Recently, more than 400 data types were added. ► Lee Se-jin / Suwon City Resident Whenever Lee (이세진), a company employee without a car, urgently needs a car, he can easily find vehicle rental services available in the area via Gyeonggi Data Dream on his smart phone. ► [PiP] Lee Sejin / Gyeonggi Data Dream User “It provides information about the closest vehicle rental services available based on my // It is really convenient.” Gyeonggi Data Dream is a public data portal service that provides customized data from the databases of public offices in Gyeonggi Province. ► 400+ Data Types Added Launched in 2015, the range of data available from this service tem has been expanded to more than 1,400 public data types. ► Information Useful for Daily Life This tem provides data that is useful in the daily lives of residents such as information about different business types, as well as parking lots and transportation support for seniors and individuals with disabilities. ► Customized Information Services Based on User Location Added The services were also improved functionally through the addition of a customized data search capability based on the area selected on a map. ► Park Jong-seo / Director, Gyeonggi Province Big Data Division “We believe that, through the disclosure of public data, we can help users start their own businesses or identify new business possibilities.” ► Gyeonggi Data Dream Homepage: data.gg.go.kr Gyeonggi Data Dream services can be easily accessed via desktop computers and mobile devices through its homepage, data.gg.go.kr. Article 7. Gimjang Tour Programs Open in Gyeonggi Province (1122-3) [Anchor’s Headline] There are a number of gimjang (김장) tour programs currently being operated in rural villages throughout Gyeonggi Province. In these programs, participants make their own kimchi in local styles while enjoying tours in the region. GTV examined the details ► Bongsang-ri, Yangpyeong County At this gimjang tour site in Yangpyeong (양평) County, participants from the cities forget the cold while absorbed in preparing kimchi ingredients and applying a seasoning mixture between salted cabbage leaves. ► [PiP] Lee Seung-woo / Participant from Seoul “I came to Sumi Village with my friends. We enjoyed making kimchi together and tasting each other’s kimchi.” ► Gyeonggi Province Recommends 26 Gimjang Tour Sites In Gyeonggi Province alone, there are 26 sites that offer gimjang programs through which participants can learn kimchi-making in local styles. In Korea, there are a wide variety of kimchis made from different ingredients. ► Gimjang with Local Specialty Ingredients These special ingredients are usually local specialties produced only in those regions. ► GTV Reporter Ku Yeong-seul “Participants make kimchi themselves from slicing turnips to applying the seasoning mixture to cabbages.” There are also a variety of other experiential programs such as smelt fishing that gimjang tour participants can enjoy in the region. Gyeonggi Province will continue to develop experiential tour programs utilizing local characteristics. ► Jin Hak-hun / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Rural Area Industry Team “These gimjang tours will provide children with traditional food-making experiences while enabling families to create happy memories.” Gimjang tours combine gimjang for families with tourism. ► Rural Tour Website ‘Welchon’: www.welchon.com Detailed information about gimjang tours can be found on Welchon, a public rural tour website. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.11.23
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1.Talking Extinguisher Introduced in Gyeonggi Province(171114-1) [Anchor’s Headline]A new type of fire extinguisher that providesverbal instructions has appeared in the Korean market. Developed in Gyeonggi Province, these fire extinguishers ensurethat users,who often waste valuable time in emergencies due to unfamiliarity,canreact more effectively. ►Nursing Home, Uiwang City At this nursing home, safetyeducation is being provided to its residents using talking fire extinguishers. [Sync]“First, pull the safety pin out. Then hold the nozzle toward the fire.” Following the verbal instructionsof the extinguisher, seniors can handle the device much more easily. ►Lee Hyo-suk / Nursing Home Resident “We are likely to be flustered and fail to use ordinary extinguishers properly in emergency situations. However, these extinguishers are very convenient since we can simply follow the voice instructions.” These talking extinguishers also provide detailed explanations about the names of parts. ► GTV Reporter GuYeong-seul “Voice instructions can be activated simply by tilting the talking fire extinguishers.” Featured ina public official idea contest last year, the concept for this new fire equipment came from a firefighter who realized thatpeople often failed to use fire extinguishers effectively since they seldom needed to use them. ►27,000+ Talking Fire Extinguishers Sold in 7 Months Within the first 7 months of its market launch, more than 27,000 talking fire extinguisherswere sold throughout the nation. More were also supplied free of charge to welfare facilities and solitary seniors in Gyeonggi Province. ►Hong Ui-seon / Fire Captain, Gyeonggi Province Disaster Safety Headquarters “It was the realization that many residents are not familiar with the use of fire extinguishers and hydrants that made me think about creating equipment that can be used easily.” In addition to talking fire extinguishers, Gyeonggi Province also introduced talking fire hydrants, of which more than 1,100 units have been sold. Article 2.324th Gyeonggi Provincial AssemblyRegular SessionContinues (171114-3) [Anchor’s Headline]The 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly regular session continued on November 10 with the 3rd general meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil appealed for the passage of next year’s provincial budget. ►Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly(November 10) 3rd General Meeting of 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session In his speech, Governor Nam asked for the positive support of the provincial assembly in the passage of a budget that amounts to KRW 22 trillion. The composition of the budget for 2018 reflects administration focal areas including employment, safety, urban development and welfare. ►Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “The administration will strivejust as determinedly as we did at the beginningto create a province in which there are lots of good jobs and people are happy.” During the question period that followed, the first querywas about the budget for a semi-public intercity bus management tem. ►CheonYeong-mi / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “Cost estimatesare important for local governments, which will bear 50 percent of total costs, in their financial planning.” Governor Nam revealed that the application of a semi-public tem for all 24 intercity bus routes will cost approximately KRW 88.7 billion. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “It should not be seen as a political issue. Instead,it concerns safety and convenience for residents. That is why we hope that you will support us.” There were also questions regarding various regional projects ►Cheon Dong-hyeon / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “Gyeonggi Province is planning to sell the provincial medical center site in Anseong to finance the construction of the new provincial government complex. I hope that the administration will consider transferring the site to the local government for the construction of the Baby 2+ Ddabok House…” ►Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “We will consider prioritizing the sale of publicly-owned sites other than the Anseong hospital site. Then we will reconsider the matter based on financial availability.” In response to a question regardingthe transformation of the Giheung(기흥) Reservoir into a park, Governor Nam indicatedsupport with the condition that it become positive policy in Yongin (용인) City. The next general meeting of the 324th regular session is slated for December 15 for the review of more than 40 items including provincial budgets. Article 3.Gyeonggi to Provide WageSupport to More Welfare Workers (171114-3) [Anchor’s Headline]From next year, Gyeonggi Provincewill expand the range of welfare facilities covered by aprovincial wage support program. The recipients of this support will then include those employed at non-registered facilities. ►Private Welfare Facility for Seniors, Suwon City For many years, Lee (이동운)has been working for a private organization that delivers food to solitary seniors. Since this organization isa subcontractorand not a registered welfare organization, Lee is does not qualify for wage support for welfare workers although his workis similar to that of registered organization employees. ►Lee Su-dong / Employee of Non-Registered Social Welfare Organization “The wage support payment amounts are not significant. However, the morale of those who do not qualify for these paymentsis affected greatly by the feeling of exclusion.” The social welfare workers of subcontractors often have to deal with more demanding tasks. However, current support programs that are based on related laws rigidly restrict beneficiaries to only those employed by registered organizations. ►Gyeonggi to Provide Wage Support to Non-Registered Welfare Facility Workers In order to resolve such unfair treatment, Gyeonggi Province will expand support coverage to include non-registered welfare facility workers. ►Choi Byeong-gil / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Welfare Planning Team “We decided to pay wage support to more than 1,400 employees of 260 non-registered social welfare facilities from 2018.” ►17,000+ Welfare Workers to Benefit from Provincial Wage Support Program With this expanded support, more than 17,000 welfare workers, representing approximately 13 percent of the provincial total, will receive wage support payments. Since many of the rest receive similar support from the Health Insurance Corporation, a large portion of non-beneficiary welfare workers will now receive support. Article 4.Techno Valleys to Be Developed in Yangju and Guri-Namyangju(171115-2) [Anchor’s Headline]After heated competition between Yangju (양주) City and the combined cities of Guri (구리) and Namyangju (남양주)to host a second techno valley in northern Gyeonggi Province, both regions were finally selected as hosts for different industries. ►Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (November 13) 2nd Open Presentation of Northern Gyeonggi Techno Valley Proposals On November 13, these two northern Gyeonggi regions vied to bedesignated as a new techno valley location through an open presentation event that featured more than 400 local residents. The panel of judges finally selected both regions on the grounds that the two proposals both conveyed high economic potential. Yangju (양주) City was selected to host atechno valley in the textile and fashion industries, while the cities of Guri (구리) and Namyangju (남양주)will host advanced knowledge industries. ►Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “The two regions of Yangju and Guri-Namyangju showed their potential to become two industrial axes, and so both regions were selected (for new techno valleys).” As the result, there will be three northern Gyeonggi techno valleys including the first planned location in Goyang (고양) City. ►Yangju to Host Textile & Fashion Complex The Yangju (양주) techno valley will be developed on a 555,000 square-meter site by the year 2025. ►Yangju City Mayor Lee Seong-ho “The techno valley will have the effect of creating many jobs in the surrounding areas while nurturing businesses that generate large amounts of sales.” ►Guri-Namyangju to Host Advanced Knowledge Industrial Complex The Guri-Namyangju (구리-남양주) techno valley will house a knowledge industry complex on a 292,000 square-meter site that lies on the border between the two cities. ►Guri City Mayor BaekGyeong-hyeon “Now an opportunity has been given to us to grow shoulder to shoulder with other provincial regions. We, as a relatively underdeveloped region, now have hope for the future.” [CG] With three techno valleys in northern provincial regions, Gyeonggi Province will become home to a total of seven techno valleys. The techno valleys in Pangyo (판교) and Gwangyo(광교) have already been completed with others in the cities of Gwangmyeong (광명) and Siheung (시흥) slated for completion from 2019. Article 5.White Pig Pork Sold As Black Pig Porkin Gyeonggi (171115-3) [Anchor’s Headline]The pork of black pigs, or black pork, is regarded highly in Korea due to its chewy texture and perceived health benefits, and is thus more expensive than porkfrom white pigs. A pork distributor who made illegal profits by deceptively sellingwhite pork as black pork was recently uncovered in Gyeonggi Province. ►Meat Distributor in North Cheolla Province As seen at a meat supplying company in North Cheolla(전라) Province, it is hard to tell white pork from black pork once the pigs have beenbutchered. The distributor caught in Gyeonggi Province tookadvantage of this visual similarity and pocketed illegal profits through fraudulent trade. [Sync] “Do you indicate black or white as you are told by them?” “Of course.” ►Gyeonggi Judicial Police Arrests Pork Distributor Who Misrepresented White Porkas Black Pork Thispork distributor amassed illegal profits of more than KRW 3 billion. Three persons who were involved in this trade were arrested by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police. ►9 White Pig Cuts Sold as Black Pork This company misrepresentedwhite porkcuts that have no telltale bristles, such as hind legs and spare ribs, as black pork. The deception was undertaken through documentary misrepresentation,covering the entire process from work scheduling to packaging indication. Over the past three years, this company has sold more than 700 tons of white pork disguised as black pork to pork distributors nationwide. ►Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Super Intendent Kim Jong-gu “This company attempted to make greater profits during high seasons by disguising white pork cuts that were not selling well as black pork…” In addition to the arrests of three persons, Gyeonggi Province sent three more individuals including the company president to prosecution.Food-related crimesthat place public health in jeopardyare regarded as among some of the most notorious crimesin Korea. . Article 6.Disaster Alert Service App Launched in Gyeonggi Province (1115) [Anchor’s Headline]A smart phone application that provides public disaster alerts began service in Gyeonggi Province. Known as the Gyeonggi Safety Map, this application provides information about various types of disasters immediately upon their occurrenceso as to enable the public to quickly take appropriate action. Ku (구인회) and his girlfriend planned to go to a cinema to watch a movie.On his way to meet her, he receives a message from Gyeonggi Safety Map informing him that a large fire has broken out where he planned to meet his girlfriend. These messages can be shared via SNS. ►Ku In-hoi / Suwon City Resident “The Gyeonggi Safety Map is like a 119 service in my pocket. It gives me disaster alerts and related information, and makes me more mindful of safety. ►Disaster Information App, Gyeonggi Safety Map, Begins Services This application provides information about all types of disasters including accidents and natural calamities such as fires and earthquakes. Information is provided when a user is within the danger zone of a disaster, and includes the location of the disaster that can be checked on a map as well as safety instructions. ►Additional Information Provided Information about locations such as hospitals and public toilets is also provided. ►Ha Jae-byeong / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Safety Management Team "Since disaster information is provided in real time, residents have enough time to evade or cope with the situation, thus protecting their lives and property.” The GyeonggiSafety Map application is available free of charge from Google PlayStore and the iPhone AppStore. Article 7.Gyeonggi Operates Study Rooms for Childrenof Working-class Families (171117-3) [Anchor’s Headline]Gyeonggi Provinceplans to runextracurricular classes for children from working-class and multicultural families who have limited economic resources for out-of-school lessons. ►Youth Café, Gunpo City Late in the afternoon at this youth café in Gunpo (군포) City, students from different age groups and schoolsengage in extracurricular study,drawing design ideas and creatingwallets with various materials duringa design lesson ►Sim Hyeon (Age 17) “This lesson is not something you can find at private educational institutes. We make friends during this lesson and enjoy learning together.” ►‘Ddabok Study Room’ This lesson is an example of the extracurricular program, titled Ddabok Study Room, that is run by Gyeonggi Province. ►GTV Reporter, GuYeong-seul “(In Ddabok Study Rooms,) children from working-class families are provided with opportunities to learn things beyonda school curriculum.” ►Education Provided Free of Charge Classes at Ddabok Study Rooms are provided free of charge and include a variety of subjects. ►Kang Hyeon-do / Director, Gyeonggi Province Education Policy Division “The Ddabok Study Room was launched for the first time this year. It is an education project for local community learning platforms that aims to create jobs and provide educational welfare to children from working-class families.” Gyeonggi Province has been establishing these local community education platforms sinceJulyand plans to begin full-fledged operation next year. To this end, more than 400 instructors will be appointed to study rooms at local libraries, children’s centers, lifelong education centers and other public education facilities throughout the province. These instructors will provide extracurricular education to children from families of limited economic means. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.11.17
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1. Livestock Contest Held in Gyeonggi Province (171106-2) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 3, this year’s Gyeonggi Province Livestock Contest opened in Ansan (안산) City for a 3-day run over the weekend. This annual event featured quality livestock products, a cattle contest, and a number of entertaining programs. ► Hwarang Resort, Ansan City (November 3-5) 2017 Gyeonggi Province Livestock Contest The Gyeonggi Province Livestock Contest is an annual event organized by the provincial government to promote livestock farms of high standards and their quality products. This year’s event featured 13 livestock farms with G-Mark certification as well as their live animals and livestock products. There were also various meat dishes and eateries including the Barbeque Zone that attracted a large number of shoppers and visitors. ► An Gyeong-ok, Yun Gi-suk / Visitors from Ansan City “We are grilling the fresh meat we bought here. It has fresh texture and is really juicy and tasty.” The highlight of the event was the Korean Cattle Contest that selected the best brown cattle, black cattle and calves raised in Gyeonggi Province. There were also a variety of entertaining experiential programs for both adults and children such as horseback riding and animal feeding. ► Gwon Seung-hyun, Gwon Jin-hui / Visitors from Ansan City “There are birds and snakes, too. It’s like a zoo here. We could experience many fun things.” The objective of the Gyeonggi Province Livestock Contest is to promote livestock products of the province and their consumption. ► Gyeon Heung-su / Director, Gyeonggi Province Policy Division “We organized this event to promote our livestock products by providing consumers with an opportunity to sample our best products After attracting more than 20,000 visitors, the Gyeonggi Province Livestock Contest ended on November 5. Article 2. 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session Begins (171108-1) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 7, the 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session began with the first general meeting. During this session, a total of 34 items including the provincial budget plan for next year and this year’s final revised supplementary budget will be reviewed. ► 1st General Meeting of 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session (November 7) Deliberation of the budget for next year, which amounts to approximately KRW 22 trillion, is the most important issue at this regular session that will run for a month and a half. ► Review of Semi-public Intercity Bus Operation System Postponed Review of a semi-public intercity bus operation tem, which will cost KRW 54 billion and is currently one of the biggest issues put forward by the provincial government, was postponed until the final proposal is prepared by the 4-group committee representing the provincial and local governments and the associated legislative bodies. ► Jeong Ki-yeol / Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor “The 4-group committee of Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, and local governments and councils has just been launched. It is now in the hands of this committee to devise the most rational and feasible options.” The items to be reviewed during the session include more than twenty ordinance drafts including those regarding the prevention of senior abuse and support for women shelter employees. The first general meeting saw 5-minute speeches on provincial issues by assembly members. ► Gwak Mi-suk / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “We are to consider changing the starting point of the Seoul-Gangneung Express Railway to Seoul Station. I believe that we should also consider using Haengsin Station as an alternative starting point.” ► Song Nak-yeong / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “The location of the Techno Valley in a northern Gyeonggi region should be in a northeastern region that includes the cities of Guri and Namyangju for balanced development of northern provincial regions.” This regular session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly will end its 46-day run on November 22 with the 5th general meeting. Article 3. Relics from Bunwon Kiln Site Disclosed (171107-2) [Anchor’s Headline] Relics excavated from an old kiln site in Gwangju (광주) City were recently revealed to the public. Known as the Bunwon (분원) Kiln, it produced white ceramics, the signature ceramics of the Joseon (조선) Dynasty, for the royal family. ► White Ceramic Drum Body Yeonhwadangchomun This ceramic piece may look like a jar, but it is in fact a drum body. Shaped like an hourglass, this drum body is covered with lotus flower patterns. It is very unusual for this type of drum, which was normally used by commoners, to be found at a royal kiln site. ► Pigment-Testing Ceramic Plates These ceramic plates were used to test pigments for producing images and writing on ceramics. These pieces indicate how past Korean ceramicists attempted to develop their own pigments to replace expensive imports from China. ► White Ceramic Jar Wunryongmun A jar with a dragon indicates that it was a royal kiln since dragon patterns were only used on royal ceramics. ► Kim Mi-so / Visitor from Incheon City “I was very impressed by the drawings on ceramics. I don’t think anyone can create images as beautiful as those today.” ► Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum (until February 28, 2018) 2017 Special Exhibition – White Ceramics from Bunwon Kiln The Bunwon (분원) Kiln was a branch of the state-run white ceramic production office of the Joseon (조선) Dynasty. Located in present-day Gwangju (광주) City, this kiln operated for 420 years producing ceramics for use by the royal family and related offices. More than 200 ceramic pieces excavated from this site are now being showcased at the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum. ► Kim Jin-yeong / Curator, Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum “We organized this exhibition to showcase the stories drawn from the excavated ceramic pieces. I hope that viewers will appreciate the value of these relics even if they are small pieces.” Gwangju (광주) City is home to more than 320 royal kiln sites, of which 76 have been preserved and designated as historical sites. Article 4. Advance Consulting Audit Promotes Active Administration (171108-2) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been implementing an advance consulting audit tem that enables officials to seek advice from audit offices regarding certain administrative actions before their implementation. This tem helps officials to perform their work actively without fear of violating laws or regulations. ► Gyeonggi Province Disabled Facility Technical Support Center The directorship of the Disabled Facility Technical Support Center has been a payless job according to provincial guidelines. This center provides Gyeonggi Province with technical consultation services regarding facilities for individuals with disabilities such as elevators and ramps next to pedestrian overpasses. Recently, the advance consulting audit tem was able to obtain an authoritative interpretation regarding payments to the director from the related Korean ministry, which enabled Gyeonggi Province to pay for director’s services. ► Han Eun-jeong / Gyeonggi-do Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities “Rules were revised through the consulting tem and could be applied quickly. This also helped local centers with their work performances…” ► Gyeonggi Province Human Resource Development Institute (November 7) Explanatory Presentation of Gyeonggi Province Advance Consulting Audit System The advance consulting audit tem helps officials who face difficulties due to legal uncertainties in their work. ► 619 of 630 Cases Resolved Since 2014 Introduced in 2014, this tem has received 630 requests of which 619 have been resolved. ► An Byewong-ha / Deputy Director, Gwangju City Technical Audit Team “We are receiving a lot of help from provincial officials who provide us with timely responses and advice that enable us to work efficiently without audit worries.” ► Gyeonggi Improves Advance Consulting Audit System Based on the results of 3 years of advance consulting audit tem operation, Gyeonggi Province recently modified the tem to improve its efficiency by clarifying ambiguities in the boundaries of those involved in the tem. ► Han In-gyo / Director, Gyeonggi Province General Audit Division “We will continue to implement this tem so as to enable our residents to benefit from the active administrative work of officials” The advance consulting audit tem of Gyeonggi Province is regarded as having changed the audit paradigm from punishment to prevention while contributing to increased investment and job creation. Article 5. Gyeonggi Trains Children with New Disaster Survival Kits (171109-1) [Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province recently began disaster survival training for children using special survival kits. Known as Life Clocks, these kits contain various gadgets for use in emergency situations. Designed for use as household clocks in ordinary times, they are also suitable as gifts for children. ► Child Daycare Center, Suwon City At a child daycare center in Suwon (수원) City, children are asked to get the clock from the wall. When opened, the clock reveals anti-hypothermic sheets, a distress flag, bandages and many other emergency items. Instructed by a mother, children eagerly learn how to use each item. ► [Sync] “How many whistles mean ‘Help!?” In addition, the mother explains what to do in emergency situations including hand signals. ► Primary School in Anyang City At a primary school in Anyang City, the students receive Like Clocks and are provided with instruction on how to use the contents. ► Disaster Safety Training Using Life Clocks Provided at 19 Gyeonggi Primary Schools Disaster safety training using Life Clocks was provided to students at 19 primary schools in Gyeonggi Province. ► [PiP] Lee Jae-eon / 5th Grade, Hogye Primary School, Anyang City “I am glad I could learn how to survive in disasters using the Life Clock.” The Life Clock is the first commercialized product promoted by Korea-Gyeonggido Incorporated. ► Gong Jeong-sik / Director, Gyeonggi Province Shared Economy Division “Gyeonggi Province’s Life Clock, the survival kit, is being used in disaster safety training of primary school children.” In Japan, where people live under constant threat of earthquakes, safety kits are popular gift items for children on Children’s Day. The Life Clock is a similar tool that aims to promote disaster safety for children and their families. Article 6. Gyeonggi Holds Kimjang-Sharing Event (171109-2) [Anchor’s Headline] With the onset of the winter kimchi-making season, or kimjang (김장), Gyeonggi Province held a kimjang-sharing event at the provincial government complex. Our reporter was there. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (November 7-8) ‘Kimjang-Sharing with Love’ Event A corner of the quad at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex was turned into a festive scene. Members of the Saemaul (새마을) Women’s Club, multicultural families and university students joined in this kimjang (김장) event to make kimchi for those living in difficult situations. Participants worked in groups to salt cabbages in water and combine them with seasoning. ► Gwon Hyang-suk / Participant from Ansan City “When I heard about this event, I volunteered. This is a heartwarming thing to do, and it is fun, too.” This kimjang (김장) event is hosted annually by the Gyeonggi Province Saemaul (새마을) Women’s Club. ► 400+ Participants Made Kimchi with 5,000 Heads of Cabbage During this 2-day event, more than 400 participants from around the province used 5,000 heads of cabbage to make kimchi for seniors, North Korean defectors, multicultural families and welfare facility users. ► Han Hui-chun / Kimchi Recipient “I like kimchi more than others. I am very grateful.” ► Lim Nak-hui / President, Gyeonggi Province Saemaul Women’s Club “I know that there are many who cannot afford to prepare kimjang kimchi. I hope they will enjoy the kimchi we made for them.” The kimchi delivered to those from this kimjang-sharing event will warm the hearts of those who made it as much as those who receive it. Article 7. 2nd General Meeting of 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session (171109-3) [Anchor’s Headline] On November 8, the second general meeting of the 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session began with a question period regarding the provincial administration. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly (November 8) 2nd General Meeting of 324th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session During this meeting, fire hydrant inspection became a subject of inquiry since the number of hydrants has increased while there is a shortage of manpower for their management. ► Park Chang-sun / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “Inspections are required by law. However, there are not enough fire officials to perform the task as required.” Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil answered with a proposed solution. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “Since it is difficult for fire officials to perform monthly inspections themselves, commissioning the jobs of management and maintenance would be a feasible alternative…” Part-time employees in public offices were also a subject of inquiry. ► Bang Seong-hwan / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “Guidelines regarding the transfer of part-time employees (to regular employees) have been provided by the central government.”." ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil “We are endeavoring to follow those guidelines. However, when it is difficult to do so in reality, we will adjust our policy based on reality.” Other questions included those regarding SME promotion funds and the transfer of fire offices to a national department. The question period was then followed by 5-minutes speeches by assembly members ► Hong Seok-wu / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “I ask the administration to do something immediately to relieve Dongducheon citizens from agonizing odor problems.” ► Jang Dong-gil / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “I ask the administration for special attention and active support to create a smart hub in the Banwol and Sihwa areas for local economic development in those areas.” Questions regarding the provincial administration continued at the 3rd general meeting of the 324th regular session on November 10. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
Weekly English news | 2017.11.08
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. Article 1.Gyeonggi Public Forum on Financial Decentralization(1031-1) [Anchor’s Headline]With financial dependence regarded as one of the constricting factors in the advancement of the Koreanlocal autonomy system, Gyeonggi Province held a forum to discuss ways in which to address related issues. ►Ramada Plaza Suwon Hotel (October 30) Gyeonggi Province Financial Decentralization Forum This forum featured more than 100 representatives from the Korean Ministry of Interior & Safety, Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and the Gyeonggi Research Institute. ►Independence in Financial Decisions Sought through Power Decentralization In his introduction of discussion topics, a professor explained the concept of financial decentralization as independence in financial decision-making. ►Ra Hwi-mun / Professor, Sungkyul University “I believe that common sentiments exist in public offices as well as in academia regarding the need forpower expansion for local autonomies in terms of financial and administrative matters including budgets and human resource management.” ►Financial Decentralization Required as Basis for Power Distribution The forum attendees unanimously agreed on the necessity for financial decentralization as a basis for power distribution to local governments. ►Kwon Mi-na / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “Local autonomy should be based on principles through which local governments have independence in the management of revenues and other financial resources with the central government playing a supplementary role.” ►An Hye-yeong / Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member “I hope to see the establishment of a foundation upon which local autonomies can independently manage budgets based on needsrather thanan ad hoc power ratiosuch as eight-to-two or six-to-four.” Constricting factors for financial decentralization were also discussed during the forum. ►Kim Jang-ho / Director, Ministry of Interior & Safety Financial Policy Division “What makes financial decentralization difficult is the fact that the differences of interest and the effects of financial decentralization among local autonomies are not straightforward but multilayered and complicated.” ►New Revenue Sources and National Subsidies Discussed Participants also discussed potential revenue sources and national subsidies. ►Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Jae-yul “I think financial decentralization is the beginning as well as the end of local autonomy. I hope that we can realize something today through our collective knowledge…” The Gyeonggi Research Institute, the host of the forum, will utilize the opinions presented at the forum in its financial decentralization proposal. Article 2.Gyeonggi Expands Farm Share Program (171031-2) [Anchor’s Headline]In Anseong (안성) City last year, Gyeonggi Provinceopened Farm Share, provincially-owned farmland for use by those seeking to start or return to farming careers so as to enable them to experience farming before launching their own farms. Gyeonggi Province plans to open new Farm Shares. ►Choi Rin / Farmer in Anseong City Since last year, Choi (최린)has been growing leaf vegetables in greenhouses on a 170 square-meter lotin the Farm Share. Having experienced trials and errors during his first months, he has now become a skilled farmer with stable customers and is looking forward to owning his own farm next year. ► [PiP]Choi Rin / Farm Share Participant “There are many who start for the first time or return to farming careers with limited experience and fail. Some suffer great losses. However, the Farm Share program allows you to experienceall farming stages before starting your own farm.” ►Farm &Share Program Farm Share is available to aspiring farmers on a lease basis for a limited period of time. ►GTV Reporter GuYeong-seul “In Farm Share, aspiring farmers can grow vegetables of their choices on their farm lots” ►Gyeonggi to Open New Farm Shares The opening of new Farm Shares complete with greenhouses will be realized in cooperation with universities. The second Farm Share will open in Goyang (고양) City followed by another in an eastern region next year. ►Aspiring Farmers Learn Farming through Farming Projects and Consultations In addition to the free use of farmland, this program also helps its participants to learn through farming projects and consultations. ►Kim Chung-beom / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Policy Division “Although previous support programs provide aspiring farmers with preparatory training, theirfarming knowledge is still limited. This public farm rental program was conceived to provide them with firsthand experience before committing to their own farming.” Gyeonggi Province’s Farm Share program helps farms run by new farmers to succeed and grow. Gyeonggi Province plans to introduce advanced technologies to Farm Shares to transform them into smart farms. Article 3.Mackerel Effective inPreventing Heart Diseases and Aging(171031-3) [Anchor’s Headline] The Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environmentrevealed that mackerel, a popular fish in Korea, has been found to have excellent antiaging and heart disease-preventing effects. ►Ansan Fish Market In Korea, mackerel can easily be seen at every fish market and is consumed in large quantities in a variety of waysthroughout the nation. ►Seo Eun-yeong / Ansan City resident “Mackerel is easy to buy and cook and has an enjoyable taste. I eat mackerel quite often.” ►Mackerel is Rich in Selenium According to the findings of a study of 13 popular fish species in Korea,compared to other fish,mackerel containsmore thantwice as much selenium. An essential mineral for humans, selenium is known to delay aging and has heart disease-preventing effects. ►Selenium Has Antiaging and Antioxidation Effects In mackerel, selenium is found in 40 percent greater concentrations in red flesh under the skin than in inner white flesh ►Cho Yun-sik / Research Official, Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health & Environment “Half a mackerel contains a sufficient amount of selenium for an adult.” While mackerel contains a large amount of selenium, the content of heavy metals including mercury and cadmium, were found to be below one tenth of maximum allowable levels. Article 4.Gyeonggi Introduces Taxi Drivers with Disabilities (171101-1) [Anchor’s Headline]Gyeonggi Province has been operating a taxi driver training program for individuals with disabilities so as to provide them with employment opportunities and improve their quality of life. This program produced more than 40 taxi drivers this year alone. ►Kim Dong-wuk / Suwon Resident with Disabilities Kim (김동욱), an individual with disabilities, began working as a taxi driver from March this year. His day begins with a cup of coffee that he enjoys with colleagues. After carefully checking and cleaning his car, he takes the driver’s seat and dons sunglasses. He is now ready to start his workingday. ►Kim Dong-wuk / Taxi Driver with 4th Degree Disability “I consider this car to be my child and talk to him every morning. ‘Let’s have a good day, and without accidents’…” Finding employment was beyond his capabilities when he collapsed from a stroke two years ago. However, he is now enjoying the fullness of his life. [sync] “I am having a break without customer…” “Oh, you are. Looks like you are working very hard.” Kim was one of the trainees of the program for taxi drivers with disabilities. This training program was launched by Gyeonggi Province to help individuals with disabilities find employment that generates a stable income. ►Gyeonggi Provides Support for Vehicle Modification and Initial Payments Trainees who found employment are provided with provincial support for vehicle modification and initial payments. ►Yun Yeong-mi / Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Handicap Job Opportunities Team “The payments covered by provincial support include taxi driver license acquisition costs and job application costs including travel fare.” This program also benefits taxi companies that face difficulties finding taxi drivers. ►Enquiries: Gyeonggi Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities(☎070-5097-0893) The taxi driver training program for individuals with disabilities is open to anyone who is more than 20 years of age and has more than one year’s experience in driving with a disability. To date, a total of 87 taxi drivers with disabilities have found employment through this program. Article 5.Gyeonggi Uncovers Large Number of Microdust Generators(171101-2) [Anchor’s Headline]Gyeonggi Provincerecently cracked down on hazardous microdust-generating businesses and uncovered a large number of such sites. These locations emitted large amounts of chemical substances into the atmosphere and exhibited high levels of aerial contamination and odors. ►Surfactant Manufacturer, Pyeongtaek City When environment monitors entered a warehouse in a surfactant manufacturing plant in Pyeongtaek (평택) City,they found a container in a corner. Inside the container were machines and a pile of white powder that seemed to have been used recently. The powder wasa hazardous substance. [Sync] “That is microdust-generating equipment. Did you know that you have to register such equipment before using it?” “Yes, but we haven’t been (using it much)…” Although all air contaminant-generating equipment must be registered with public offices, this company has been using such equipment and emitting hazardous substances secretly without registration. ►GTV Reporter Gu Yeong-seul “When this white powder is emitted into the atmosphere, it contributes to an increase in aerial microdust content.” ►57 Clean Air Conservation Act-violating Businesses Uncovered During the crackdown, no less than 57 businesses were foundto have violated the Clean Air Conservation Act. Without proper pollution control equipment, these enterprises emitted foul-smellingcontaminants at levels up to more than 3 times the accepted standards. ►Yu Chung-ho / Gyeonggi Province Industrial Complex Environment Management Official “We staged a crackdown in odor-control areas in Pyeongtaek and Ansan so as to minimize inconvenience for residents and to create a clean environment.” This crackdown was conducted in areas with concentrations ofindustrial facilities that generate foul odors and microdust. Average atmospheric microdust levels in these areas are 1.5 times higher than the provincial average. Those enterprises that committed serious violations will be subject to further investigations by the special judicial police. Gyeonggi Province will expand the coverage of the crackdown to other areas in the near future. Article 6.Play Opens in Gyeonggi to Commemorate Korean Composer (171101-3) [Anchor’s Headline]In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Korean composer Yun I-sang (윤이상),a play that depicts his life was opened on October 21 by the Gyeonggi Provincial Drama Companyfor a 9-day run. ►Daehangno Arts Theater (October 21 to 29) Yun I-sang, a Hurt Dragon One day in 1967, when Yun was living in Berlin, he received a phone call from a secretary to the South Koreanpresident. [Sync] “I have to leave for practice now. I have a performance scheduled soon.” “This is a personal message to you from thepresident.” This phone conversation led to his being kidnapped to South Korea where he was imprisoned for two years. The play follows Yun’s journey from Germany to Seoul to North Korea, backto South Korea, then to Japan, and finally back to Germany. ►Lee Oh-jin / Writer of Yun I-sang, a Hurt Dragon “I don’t think that he was an immoral person or that his plays shouldn’t be staged. Likewise, I don’t think that he should be revered as a hero or pitied as a political victim of his time, either.” ►Play Shows Yun I-sang As a Person This play, titled Yun I-sang, a Hurt Dragon, describes the life of this ill-fated composer as a person who was hurt by the forces of the time rather than as an internationally renowned musician. The play presents Yun throughout his entire life in chronological order with cello performances continually flowing in the background at each stage of his life. Recommended as an appreciation point of the play, these cello pieces were the tools with which Yun depicted himself as well as his memories, suffering, love, and more. ►Jeong Jae-hun / Director, Gyeonggi Arts Center “I hope that this play will help people understand Yun I-sang and his music by sharing his life and philosophy...” Having crossed between oriental and western cultures and between South and North Korea, Yun attempted to sublimate the severity of the division in his ideas of peace and harmony through music. This play poses a question about the ideology of a person and society. Article 7. Gyeonggi Residents Back Semi-public Red Bus Management (171102-3) [Anchor’s Headline]According to a survey of Gyeonggi residents, three quarters favor a semi-public management system for inter-city buses, also known as red buses. This reflects the wishes of the public for safer public transportation. ►Semi-Public Intercity Bus Management System A semi-public intercity management system entails bus revenue management and redemptions made by a public organization to bus operators based on bus operation levels so asto guarantee the recovery of operational losses and thereby improve bus services. [CG]This semi-public system is favored by 74 percent of the residents of Gyeonggi Province. ► Improvement of Bus ServiceConvenience and Safety Such a system is expected to improve bus services through user-oriented route adjustments and improvementsin driver employment conditions. ►Jeong Jae-hun / Intercity Bus Driver “I put highest priority on safe driving. A semi-public management system willimprove bus operation safety through the improvement of bus driver employment conditions.” ►Kim Jeong-hwa / Suwon City Resident “I want to see buses become safer even if that requires us paying more taxes.” [CG]A semi-public bus management system is most favored by users in their twenties. There are also concerns that such a system may be utilized by bus operators as a means to guarantee profits. ►77% of Gyeonggi Residents Favor Public Office Involvement in Bus Operations However, 77 percent of Gyeonggi residents favored the involvement of public offices in long-term bus operation management policies. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV We look forward to seeing you again next week.
