언론협력담당관 gnewstv@naver.com
2015.10.16
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 Establish Creative Image Technology Town (1006-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
During the Next Gyeonggi Creative Audition that took place earlier this month, the regional projects of eight cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province were selected for the finals. Of these, our reporter examined the Creative Image Technology Town Project of Goyang (고양) City.
[Report]
Goyang (고양) City is home to the Aqua Studio at which the underwater scenes of a recent box office hit that attracted 17 million viewers were filmed.
▶ Goyang Aqua Studio
The Aqua Studio was constructed in 2011 on the site of a former water treatment plant that had been left closed for ten years. This studio was used by twenty movie-making teams this year alone. However, its service ratio is very low since it is an outdoor facility.
▶ Kim Min-soo / Director, Goyang City Image Support Center
“At the moment, this facility can only be used for filming background scenes. Personal images have to be taken at other indoor facilities, requiring image merging processes.”
▶ Creative Image Technology Town Project of Goyang City
The proposed Creative Image Technology Town Project of Goyang (고양) City includes the roofing of the Aqua Studio and installing weather-proof facilities as well as special effects facilities so as to increase its year-round operation rate up to 70 percent. This project also includes the inducement of special image businesses as well as facilities for visitors to create a comprehensive image technology town.
▶ Goyang City Mayor Choi Seong
“This project will help create jobs in northern Gyeonggi Province while contributing to national competitiveness in image industries.”
▶’Let’s Play Forest’ Project of Dongducheon City
‘Theatrical Drama City’ Project of Gapyeong County
‘DMZ Yeoncheon Adlay Special Town’ Project of Yeoncheon County
Among the eight audition finalists, four projects of cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi Province commonly proposed the utilization of regional resources and infrastructure such as the existing aqua studio and theatrical art facilities, forests, and regional specialty grain production.
Article 2. Gyeonggi Receives National Assembly Inspections (1005-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Earlier this month, Gyeonggi Province was subject to administrative inspections by the Korean National Assembly’s Land and Transportation Committee. During the inspection meetings, the usually rigid and often heated atmosphere of such occasions was replaced by unusual scenes. Our reporter caught the moments.
[Report]
▶ Governor Nam Meets Former National Assembly Colleagues
It was almost like a reunion meeting among the present and former members of the Korean National Assembly in which Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil had served for five terms.
▶ Shin Gi-nam / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“It’s good to see you, Governor Nam. You remind me of our good old days.”
Another member of the National Assembly greets Governor Nam in an equally kind manner and asks the governor about his feelings of being on the receiving end of inspections.
▶ Park Deok-heum / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“How do you feel being on the opposite end of National Assembly inspection meetings, governor?”
▶ Coalition with Seoul City Mayor Park Won-soon Suggested to Governor Nam
With inspections of Seoul City by the same committee scheduled for the next day, a National Assembly member praised the positive effects of the coalition policy of Governor Nam and suggested that he pursue a coalition with Seoul City Mayor Park.
▶ Shin Sang-jin / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
Although (your coalition policy is) highly experimental, I think it has quite positive sides. Having said that, would you have me say to Seoul Mayor Park that you would like to suggest to him the merits of a coalition with Seoul during our tomorrow’s inspection of Seoul…”
▶Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“I think a coalition will also work for Seoul significantly.”
An assembly member from the same party as Governor Nam even used the governor’s increasingly popular nickname during questioning.
▶ Kim Tae-won / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“I hope that you will live up to your nickname, Buk (North) Kyung-pil, and continue to support and pay considerable attention to northern Gyeonggi regions.”
The National Assembly inspections of Gyeonggi Province progressed in a warm atmosphere rarely seen in the history of such meetings.
Article 3. Next Gyeonggi Creative Audition Finals (1007-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The finals of the second Next Gyeonggi Creative Audition were filled with enthusiastic supporting events performed by the officials from the contestant regional governments. Our reporter was there.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (October 7)
Next Gyeonggi Creative Audition II
The audition site is bustling with the cheering teams of the final contestant regions even before the competitions begin. Some draw attention using huge mascots while others hand out regional specialty products. Each time a presentation is about to begin, cheerers consisting of officials and residents in colorful attire perform their routines.
▶ Choi Bong-seop / Director, Gwangmyeong City Thematic Development Division
“Our team was formed by volunteers who want our Gwangmyeong Cave to be recognized and to receive the first prize.”
▶ Projects Presented with Creative Ideas
During a five-minute presentation, each contestant used various tools and tactics, which in of themselves were something of an entertainment, so as to win the greatest support. Some even used video images of Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil making positive references to related subjects, a tactic that drew smiles from many who wondered if the judges would be influenced by it.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“I don’t think that will influence the judges much since no judge is a provincial official.”
▶ Assessment by Residents Added to Selection Procedure
This year’s audition featured additional assessments by the hundred-resident panel so as to reflect the needs of residents.
▶ Bang Ji-hyun / Resident Panel Member
“To know that my judgment matters in actual project implementation is a wonderful experience.”
Auditioning procedures were followed by celebratory performances, transforming the site into a scene of festivities. This year’s creative regional project auditioning was characterized by creative ideas and enthusiastic participation by both regional officials and residents.
Article 4. Gyeonggi Institute Studies Usages of Ginseng Seeds
[Anchor’s Headline]
Ginseng is a popular health food in Korea. However, only the roots have traditionally been used, even though ginseng seeds and leaves also have economically viable contents.
[Report]
▶ Ginseng Farm / Anseong City
In order to aid ginseng farmers confronted by ever-decreasing domestic ginseng consumption, the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, began developing the utilization of ginseng seeds and leaves.
▶ Kim Seon-hwa / Ginseng Farmer
“Demand for ginseng has been decreasing every year. Unit prices have dropped by KRW 500 this year. Our income will shrink further…”
▶ GARES to Develop Ginseng Seed Usages
GARES recently entered an agreement with a university and a regional ginseng cooperative for the development of ways in which to utilize ginseng seeds, which have so far been discarded.
▶ Potential for Development of Cosmetics and Medicines
Ginseng seeds and leaves contain substances that have excellent anti-oxidant effects and can be used to produce health foods, cosmetics and medicines.
▶ Lee Jeong-hye / Agricultural Researcher, GARES
“Korean ginseng has more ginsenoside, commonly known as saponin, than overseas counterparts. Ginseng seeds have a high potential for commercialization since they contain twice as much saponin as the roots.”
▶ Expected Market for Ginseng Seeds: KRW 4.5 Billion
A GARES spokesperson stated that the development and commercialization of ginseng seed utilization technology and related products can lead to additional income of approximately KRW 4.5 billion among ginseng farmers in the province.
Article 5. National Assembly Inspections of Gyeonggi Province
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Land and Transportation Committee of the Korean National Assembly conducted administrative inspections in Gyeonggi Province. Several issues were scrutinized by the inspectors.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (October 5)
National Assembly Administrative Inspections of Gyeonggi Province
These issues included coalition initiatives, financial independence and public rental housing.
▶ Park Su-hyun / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“I am aware that Gyeonggi Province was the first to introduce the livelihood-based wage system, which I fully support personally. I hope that this would lead to general recognition of it as an important result of coalition.”
There were also concerns raised during the inspection about a lack of financial robustness due to increased provincial debts.
▶ Shin Sang-jin / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“All autonomous bodies are currently experiencing notable deficits in public facility operations. There must be some decisive measures regarding revenue structures or…”
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“We are developing a service labor plan. Based on its results, we will adopt appropriate methods such as commissioning private service enterprises.”
▶ Issues of Rapidly Increasing Housing Rental & Lease Rates
The necessity for measures to counteract rapidly increasing housing rental and leasing rates was also raised.
▶ Lee Hak-jae / National Assembly Land and Transportation Committee Member
“There are a large number of dwellings being supplied by the national corporation. However, the Gyeonggi Province-initiated supply is relatively smaller than that of Seoul.”
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“We will address the issue by utilizing publicly owned lands and private construction enterprises. How our housing supply differs from nationally supplied housing is that we use publicly-owned land.”
The questions asked during the administrative inspections included those regarding new town project issues, regulatory mitigation and Pangyo (판교) Techno Valley residences. Gyeonggi Province promised to address such issues to improve the situations.
Article 6. Gyeonggi Designates Good Management Apartment Complexes
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province performed assessments of apartment complexes in the province and designated nine locations that exhibited exemplary management practices as Good Management Apartment Complexes.
[Report]
▶ The Zenith Apartment Complex, Goyang City
This combined apartment and commercial complex in Goyang (고양) City with 2,700 apartments is one of those that received such designation from Gyeonggi Province. Opened three years ago, all of its amenity services including a library and a café are operated autonomously by volunteer community members.
▶ Lim Seon-mi / Resident
“I feel pleasure donating my expertise and time as well as books to my neighbors. I also work at the library on a voluntary basis. It feels great to know that I am doing something for the community.”
This apartment complex received the highest marks among the designated complexes. At this apartment complex, volunteer work is rewarded with mileage that can be used as cash within the complex.
▶ Residents Active in Community Services and Energy Savings
There are solar power facilities located within the complex. The power generated is used for landscape facilities such as lamp posts and a waterfall. It is a highly communicative community in which residents are active in volunteer services and energy savings.
▶ Kim Cheol-jung / Director, Gyeonggi Province Housing Policy Division
“We introduced this designation system in 1997. We will continue to promote good housing management practices.”
The assessment of good management practices is based on volunteer services by residents and the operation of communal facilities as well as the labor conditions of employed personnel and their insurance coverage. Gyeonggi Province recommended three of the highest-scoring apartment complexes for similar national designations.
Article 7. Sale of Valuables Seized from Tax Delinquents
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province has conducted searches of tax delinquent homes and seized a number of valuable items. For the first time among the second-tier governments in Korea, these items were sold to the public at a sales event.
[Report]
▶ Seongnam City Hall (October 7)
Public Sale of Items Seized from Local Tax Delinquents
At the sale, hundreds of valuable items are attracting the interest of visitors. These items have been seized from delinquents who owe large amounts in local taxes. These tax dodgers were allegedly incapable of paying the taxes, but continued to lead affluent lifestyles and owned luxurious high-brand watches and bags worth millions of Korean won.
▶ [Sync] “How much is this?”
“This is the minimum price. It will be sold to the highest bidder.”
▶ Items Priced Lower Than Wholesale Prices
Luxury items were priced 30 percent lower than their wholesales prices while jewelry was priced 5 percent lower.
▶ Mo Ji-eun / Visitor
“I think this is a good opportunity for the public to buy prestigious items at low prices while helping to recover unpaid taxes.”
▶ 227 Valuable Items Featured at Public Sales
A total of 227 items including 47 bags, 17 watches and 144 pieces of jewelry were presented at the public sale. The total value of these items was KRW 722 million, approximately a third of the total tax in arrears, a sum of KRW 2.18 trillion. Gyeonggi Province will hold public sales of this kind twice a year.
▶ Kim Jong-geun / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Tax Arrears Recovery Team
“We will continue searches and seizures at homes of delinquents, particularly those who still engage is luxurious life so as to recover tax arrears.”
The items left over from the public sale will be added to the next such sale at prices 20% lower than originally appraised.
▶ Compensation of 200% for Counterfeit Items
In order to protect the interest of bidders, those items that are later found to be counterfeit will be repurchased at 200 percent of the original purchase price.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
We look forward to seeing you again next week.