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 Cup International Yacht Race Ends (0803-1)6375

[Anchor’s Headline]

The first weekend of August saw the peak of the summer holiday season in Gyeonggi Province. It was during this time that Jeongok (전곡) Port became an international center for marine sports as the host of the Gyeonggi Cup International Yacht Race as well as the Hwaseong (화성) Marine Festival.

[Report]

▶ Jeongok Port, Hwaseong City (August 2)

Gyeonggi Cup International Yacht Race

The international sailing competition featured sailing teams comprised of more than four hundred individuals from twelve nations. Teams ranged from professionals to fresh marine school graduates as well as women’s teams and amateur clubs.

▶ Gyeonggi Cup Formerly Named Korea Match Cup

Known as the Korea Match Cup until 2013, this international yacht racing event was renamed the Gyeonggi Cup from this year, encompassing a wider range of competitors.

▶ Kim Cho-seong / Amateur Yacht Club Member

“Now it is possible for amateur sailors to participate in the event. Since the races take place on the weekend, people like us who have other jobs can practice before the race.”



▶ Fleet Racing Introduced This Year

In addition to the opening of the race to amateur teams, also introduced for the first time this year was a fleet race in which a number of yachts compete in fleets.

▶ Hwaseong Marine Festival Featured Variety of Marine Leisure Programs

While yacht races took place offshore, a marine festival attracted more than 200,000 visitors with a variety of marine leisure programs. Yacht and boat rides were among the most popular events with long queues of visitors awaiting their turns. There were also entertaining programs for children such as ‘Fun Boat with Water Guns’.

▶ [PIP] Lim Mi-hyang / Sang-ri, Hwaseong City

“It’s great that it was free. Yacht riding used to be very expensive but even that was only KRW 5,000. It was a good ride to enjoy with our children, and the queue was not long.”

Only decades ago, Jeongok Port was a small fishing village. It has now become a true marine leisure center in Korea.




Article 2. Warm & Blessed Village of Hope Opens (0804-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

In Suwon City, a new studio apartment building opened for university students and graduates who have just entered the workforce with limited financial means. Titled ‘Warm & Blessed Village of Hope’, these apartments are available at monthly rental rates that are thirty percent lower than market prices.

[Report]

▶ Yeongmu-dong, Suwon City

There are studio apartments concentrated in areas near universities. Although rental rates are relatively low, the quality of these accommodations leaves much to be desired. Any decent accommodation, however, would cost KRW 450,000 per month with a KRW 5 million deposit.

▶ [PiP] Hong Jang-pyo / University Senior Student

“Many students are experiencing difficulties with accommodations, especially those who came from other regions. The school dormitory has limited capacity and decent studios are too expensive.”



▶ Occupation of Warm & Blessed Village of Hope Begins

The Warm & Blessed Village of Hope #1, the first studio apartment-type housing for university students and graduates, was opened by Gyeonggi Province so as to provide youths with decent and affordable accommodations. This four-story building features 24 fully furnished studios as well as common facilities on each floor.

▶ Deposit KRW 4.6 Million, Month Rent KRW 270,000 to 290,000

60 to 70% of Market Prices.

Apartments are available at a monthly rental rate of KRW 270,000 to 290,000 and a deposit of KRW 3.6 million, which is less than seventy percent of market prices. Such low rental rates were made possible by using publicly owned land and the donation of the building by the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“We will endeavor to construct and supply many good accommodations in good locations at low prices.”

Gyeonggi Province will continue to utilize provincial properties to construct Warm & Blessed Villages of Hope for youths, as well as Warm & Blessed community promotion program development.




Article 3. Gyeonggi Province Tax Revenue Increases (0805-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The tax revenue of Gyeonggi Province increased considerably due to the revival of the real estate market. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Province Tax Revenue for 1st Half of 2015

Increased 26% to KRW 4.3 Trillion

During the first half of this year, Gyeonggi Province collected KRW 4.3 trillion in local taxes, marking an increase of KRW 880 billion, or 26%, over the same period last year.

▶ Seo Jeong-deok / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Tax Administration Team

“The key factor was the increase in the collection of property acquisition tax, the biggest provincial tax revenue item.”

Such an increase in the collection of property acquisition tax was due to the recent revival of real estate transactions. The active local tax collection policy of Gyeonggi Province also played a part.

▶ Local Tax Exemption Limitation Law

▶ Effectuation of Provincial Tax Exemption Ordinance

▶ Establishment of Taxation Information System

Such an increase is also attributed to the prevention of tax source omissions through the enactment of laws and ordinances pertaining to tax exemption as well as to the establishment of a taxation information system and the introduction of a reward policy.

[CG] The reward policy refers to the incentives given to officials who win tax lawsuits for the provincial or local governments.

▶ Yu Jae-hyeong / Yangju City Tax Investigation Team Official

“Receiving prize money motivates me more. I will do my utmost to prevent unjust losses of local tax sources in tax lawsuits.”



▶ Gyeonggi Province’s Tax Lawsuit Win Rate Increases 22%

During the first half of this year, Gyeonggi Province won 84 percent of a total of 289 tax-related lawsuits, safeguarding KRW 20 billion in taxation rights. With the current tax collection performance rate, Gyeonggi Province expects to achieve total tax revenue of KRW 8.8 trillion this year.




Article 4. Science Mentoring Program for Middle School Students (0806-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province has been operating a science mentoring program for middle school students so as to promote science among youths. This program is supported by universities and research institutes that supply mentors.

[Report]

▶ Gwangreung Middle School, Namyangju City

In a science class at a middle school, a group of students observe a glass bottle in which foam is generated as powder is added to a solution. Another group watches a bottle of solution that changes color as it is shaken in an oxidation experiment. These represent some of the processes in making nylon.

▶ [PiP] Han Wan-jeong / 2nd Grade, Gwang-reung Middle School

“This is the first time we actually performed an experiment we had only learned in theory. It was fantastic as well as fun.”

The instructors of today’s science class are visiting students and researchers from the University of Suwon.

▶ Lee Jin-hui / Junior Student, University of Suwon

“We prepare experiments at a slightly more advanced level than textbooks but in an easy way. Classes are as much enjoyable as they are instructive.”

This science mentoring program has been operated by Gyeonggi Province since 2004.

▶ Science Mentoring Program Provided to 8,000 Students

This year, science mentoring covering a range of subjects will be provided to 8,000 students by mentors from eight universities and research institutes.

▶ [PiP] Han Jeong-gil / Director, Gyeonggi Province Science & Technology Division

“The objective of this program is to promote science careers among youths through meetings with and learning from real scientists.”

The science mentoring program is inspiring students to become scientists of the future through encounters with science in action.




Article 5. New Postal Codes Introduced in August (0804)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Following the road-based address system introduced last year, a new postal code system was also introduced in Korea on the first of August. The five-digit postal codes will replace the previous six-digit codes.

[Report]

▶ 5-Digit Postal Codes Used from August

The address plate on this hotel in Suwon (수원) City has already been changed to reflect the new five-digit postal code. The first two digits are allocated to provinces and metropolitan cities; the number 16 refers to Suwon (수원).

▶ GTV Reporter Son Si-eun

“The last three digits refer to cities, counties and boroughs, enabling the identification of the exact area from a postal code.”



▶ Kim Hong-seo / Postmaster, Dongsuwon Post Office

“This area-based postal code system was introduced in conjunction with road-based addresses. The post office began using the new postal codes from August 1.””

[CG] The new postal codes are allocated based on areal division which, in turn, is derived from road-based addresses.

With the new postal code system, the job of postal carriers will become much easier.

▶ Kim Gyeong-taek / Postal Carrier, Dongsuwon Post Office

“It will save us a lot time when making deliveries. Users will also benefit from the new system by receiving deliveries without delay.”

[CG] When using a pre-printed address label or envelope, enter the five-digit postal code in the first five boxes provided, leaving the last box blank.

▶ New Postal Code Information: www.epost.go.kr / www.juso.go.kr

The new postal codes can be found on the post office website or via the site for road-based address searches.




Article 6. New Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex Plan Revealed

[Anchor’s Headline]

On July 30, the basic plan for the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex was publicly disclosed after a long period of deliberation. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (July 30)

New Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex Basic Plan Announcement

The basic plan revealed a town-style complex consisting of administrative, residential, commercial and cultural spaces.

▶Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“The new complex is the property of all provincial residents. It is also a space for all. We will create a new provincial government complex that can serve everyone.”



▶ Open-type, New Concept Provincial Government Complex

The most important characteristic of the new provincial government complex is its openness. There will be a 59,000 square-meter space that can serve as a park for visitors.

▶ Administration Buildings to be Reduced to Part of Town-style Complex

Administration buildings will be reduced from 25 floors to only 12 floors and will cover 33,000 square meters of ground area. Spaces for cultural activities and commerce will be created depending on public demand.

[CG] To finance construction, Gyeonggi Province will be able to secure sufficient funds, a total of KRW 560 billion including facility development profit of KRW 150 billion and property sales of KRW 130 billion, while saving funds by reducing administrative structures and design costs.

▶ [PiP to Full Screen] Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“We can ensure stable financial sources through profit of KRW 150 billion from the development of Gwanggyo areas.”

There is, however, still an obstacle to overcome because of opposition among Gwanggyo (광교) residents to the construction of a town-style complex, which may delay groundbreaking. According to the announced plan, construction will be completed in 2020.




Article 7. Gyeonggi Student Reporters Visit Agricultural Institute (0806)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, invited volunteer student reporters of Gyeonggi Province to an agricultural introduction program.

[Report]

The objective of this program is to help student reporters better understand current agricultural industrial status and issues as well as agricultural technology development in the province.

▶ [PiP] Jeon A-hyeon / Student of Inchang High School, Guri City

“It was an enlightening experience. I learned about new farming methods and advanced technologies.”



▶ Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services

Learning Gyeonggi Province Agriculture

A total of twenty student reporters participated in the program at GARES and learned about farms and farming as well as the importance of agriculture in the province.

▶ Lim Jae-wuk / Director, GARES

“We invited student reporters to help them better understand the current provincial agricultural situation and to communicate the future of Gyeonggi Province agriculture to them.”



▶ Students Visit Farm Culture Exhibition Hall & Research Facilities

At the beginning of the program, students were briefed about the institute as an R&D center for competitive agricultural technologies. Students then visited an exhibition hall to view provincial farm culture as well as research facilities for urban farming. The program also included outdoor experiences.

▶ Lee Ji-hyeong / Hankuk Foreign Language High School Student

“Today’s experience gave me insights into the current technology developments and the future agriculture of Gyeonggi Province.”

Armed with current knowledge about Gyeonggi Province agriculture gained through a day of experiences, student reporters are now better equipped for their work.



Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.

We look forward to seeing you again next week.