언론협력담당관 gnewstv@naver.com
2015.10.23
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. Concurrent Ceramic Shows in Gyeonggi Province
[Anchor’s Headline]
The cities of Icheon (이천), Gwangju (광주) and Yeoju (여주) in Gyeonggi Province, the ceramic centers of Korea, are currently hosting ceramic exhibitions under different themes. Our reporter visited each venue to examine the details.
[Report]
▶ [Screen Top] ‘Clowns’ by Imre Schrammel, Hungary
These ceramic art pieces, which use exquisite glazing techniques, represent Eastern European ceramic craftsmanship quite different from oriental counterparts.
▶ Icheon World Ceramic Center, Icheon City
‘Contemporary Eastern European Ceramics’
Human figures as well as dolls and pets are frequently the subjects used in Eastern European ceramics. This exhibition features pieces from fifteen Eastern European countries.
▶ [PiP] Jeong Du-seop / Visitor from Gangwon Province
“They are created with many different colors and techniques that can seldom be seen (in Korea). It was a learning experience for me.”
▶ Gonjiam Ceramic Park, Gwangju City
‘Comb Pattern – the First Step in the History of Gyeonggi Ceramics’
In Gwangju (광주) City, a prehistoric earthenware exhibition showcases the history of ceramics in Gyeonggi Province; it features bowls and utensils bearing characteristic comb patterns.
▶ Neolithic Earthenware-Making Popular among Children
There is also a special booth for children where children can experience a Neolithic lifestyle or attempt to restore ceramic relics by piecing them together like a puzzle.
▶ Park Su-mi / 3rd Grader, Dopyeong Primary School, Gwangju City
“I was very impressed that our ancestors actually made these things. This exhibition also was much fun.”
▶ Yeoju World Ceramic Livingware Gallery, Yeoju City
‘Functional Ceramics by 100 Korean Artists’
Yeoju (여주), a region renowned for livingware production, is hosting a functional ceramics exhibition. It is a relay of exhibitions that feature pieces created by a hundred established as well as emerging Korean artists. This year’s theme is tea ware. Duplicates of some of the displayed pieces can also be found at the site shop.
▶ Jeong Han-ju / Curator, Korea Ceramic Foundation
“At the Gwangju exhibition, you can see comb-patterned earthenware, the very first form of ceramics found in Korea, while livingware is displayed at Yeoju and ceramic arts at Icheon.”
These three exhibitions, at which you can appreciate ceramic arts of different origins, periods and themes, will run until early next year. On Wednesdays, the cultural day of every week, admission is free at all three exhibitions.
Article 2. Sweet Potato Leaves Used to Make Tea
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, developed a technology for extracting tea from sweet potato leaves, which contain compounds beneficial to humans, especially for the eyes, but that are discarded after harvests. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
▶ Sweet Potato Farm, Icheon City
Although rich in nutrients, sweet potato stems and leaves are removed when harvesting and discarded in the amount of 260,000 tons a year.
▶ Sweet Potato Tea Production Technology
In order to utilize these nutrients, GARES developed tea production technology using sweet potato leaves and transferred it to a private enterprise.
▶ Kim Ui-su / Sweet Potato Farmer
“Sweet potato leaves were useless until our research institute developed tea-making technology with these leaves. This helps us a lot with increasing our incomes.”
Among sweet potato variants, two breeds can be used to produce savory tea products utilizing processes that involve steaming and parching.
▶ Lee Yong-seon / Researcher, GARES
“Leaves have more polyphenol and carotenoid as well as lutein, which is good for our eyes, than stems. They also have a higher anti-oxidation effect than many other vegetables.”
▶ Sweet Potato Tea to Hit Markets in 2016
Sweet potato tea has a soft, delicate flavor and is rich in substances that are beneficial to immunity, skin and eyes. Tea products in bags and bottled drinks will be introduced in the second half of next year.
Article 3. Gyeonggi Fire Official Contest
[Anchor’s Headline]
Earlier this month, regional fire personnel in Gyeonggi Province participated in a 3-day disaster response contest comprised of simulated special disaster events such as large fires and hazardous chemical spills.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Province Fire Service Academy (October 12 -14)
Disaster Management Strategy Contest
This contest, which doubled as a drill, was organized by Gyeonggi Province so as to assess the disaster management strategies of regional fire officials. When a chemical spill occurs from a ruptured storage tank, a group of firefighters quickly evacuate and cordon off the accident site while others stop the leak and block sewage flow to prevent secondary damage.
▶ Simulated Fire and Chemical Leakage Used for Assessment
During the contest, a simulated fire at a three-story building as well as a hazardous chemical incident were used for the assessment of firefighter performance in initial disaster responses and overall safety management.
▶ Jeong Cheol-min / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Disaster & Safety Team
“We organized this event to assess safety management capabilities under simulated situations. This will also inspire our firefighters to stay on top of their duties at all times.”
Firefighters from thirty-four fire stations across Gyeonggi Province participated in this year’s special disaster performance assessment.
▶ Hyun Myeong-seok / Firefighter, 119 Emergency Center, Yangju Fire Station
“Since the simulation contains all the key elements of real situations, actual situations won’t differ much. This makes it very helpful to us.”
Gyeonggi Province will organize similar assessment events using other special disaster situations, such as collapsed buildings and water disasters, so as to prepare provincial safety personnel for all possible disaster scenarios.
Article 4. Gyeonggi Inspects Chemical Transportation
[Anchor’s Headline]
In order to prevent accidents involving hazardous chemicals, which are occurring with increasing frequency, Gyeonggi Province began comprehensive inspections of chemical transportation facilities.
[Report]
▶ [Images from Archive] Gyeonggi Accounts for 30% of National Chemical Accidents
The number of chemical accidents in Gyeonggi Province accounts for more than 30 percent of the national total and is increasing.
▶ Contributing Factors: Aging Facilities and Human Error
The major contributing factors are aging facilities and human error, especially during transportation.
▶ Kang Gyeong-hui / CEO, Gwangjin Chemical
“Cases of the absence of safety features or personnel from key locations do exist.”
▶ Siheung Sihwa Industrial Complex (October 14)
Chemical Transportation Facility Inspection
Inspections began at chemical production facilities in an industrial complex in Siheung (시흥) City.
▶ Inspection of Processes from Production to Transportation
Inspectors examined the entire process chain from production to transportation including storage tanks, tankers and loading facilities as well as transportation routes.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Gi-woo
“I saw loading and unloading as well as transportation processes myself. GPS tracking of tankers seems to help ensure transportation safety.”
▶ Chemical Transportation Safety Meeting
After on-site inspections, Gyeonggi provincial safety officials, industry representatives, and specialists had an informal meeting to discuss the safe management of chemicals as well as accident prevention and emergency responses.
Gyeonggi Province is currently working on chemical substance management legislation and will request support for related safety training and the replacement of aging high-cost facilities from the Korean central government.
Article 5. Garden Show Held in Gyeonggi Province
[Anchor’s Headline]
A garden show opened in Anseong (안성) City of Gyeonggi Province under the sponsorship of the provincial government. This show features various garden solutions for home owners utilizing indoor and outdoor spaces. Our reporter was there.
[Report]
▶ Anseongmachum Land (October 8)
Gyeonggi Garden Culture Show
The venue for the show is located in a park which abounds with wild autumn flowers. Set in this beautiful scene are seventy-three attractive gardens, each boasting unique designs.
▶ Experimental ‘A Garden with Peddler’s Pack’
An experimental garden reproduces a nostalgic country home and garden with food jars in one corner. Its timelessness soothes modern-world visitors.
▶ Seong Jun-gi / Visitor from Anseong City
“This garden makes me feel as if I was sent back to the Choseon period.”
▶ 73 Gardens in 5 Categories Showcased
There are five design concept categories: model gardens designed by top Korean designers, indoor gardens that can easily be applied to many homes, and natural gardens in which family members can spend time together around a garden table, as well as experimental gardens and citizen gardens created by university students and amateur garden designers. The variety of garden designs featured at this show provides valuable gardening ideas to those interested.
▶ GTV Reporter Oh So-eun
“I am now in a classic garden with music. It is an urban-style garden with flowers and trees.”
There are gardens for everyone such as those with ample playing spaces for children, and others for relaxation and healing for busy urban families or retired senior couples without children who seek quiet, cozy recesses. These gardens and associated fixtures will remain in the park permanently for use by visitors after the show.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Kim Hee-kyeum
“The gardens, created by designers and citizens with innovative spirits, will remain in the park and continue to serve citizens after the show.”
Gyeonggi Province plans to hold garden culture shows in each city and county of the province in rotation so as to promote gardening and relaxed family lifestyles in the province.
Article 6. Barista Training for Seniors in Gyeonggi Province
[Anchor’s Headline]
In Gyeonggi Province, an unusual vocational training course opened. Its students are twenty-three retired seniors looking to start the second phase of their lives as baristas.
[Report]
▶ Suwon Barista School (October 12)
Vocational Training of Seniors in Café Project Group
These seniors are among those participating in a café project operated by the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation’s Senior Employment Support Center. The training course consists of instruction and practice. All trainees are eager to absorb everything that the instructor says and are deeply immersed in following the processes they learned.
▶ Kim Ok-hwa (aged 75) / Seryu-dong, Suwon City
“At my age, one feels left out. This training helps me learn new things and to learn from others from different regions.”
All twenty-three seniors in the barista class are over 60 years of age. Job opportunities for seniors are limited to certain areas such as those of janitors and cleaning staff. However, the graduates of this senior barista training course will be provided with an opportunity to work as professionals or to start their own businesses by the employment support center.
▶ Sim Jae-jin / Director, Senior Employment Support Center
“The Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation will continue to provide seniors with various vocational training opportunities so as to help them start a new phase of their lives.”
Armed with years of experience and wisdom, this silver generation is no less enthusiastic in their pursuit of joining the workforce than younger generations. These veterans of society are setting the example for others by continuing their active engagements while enjoying the fullness of life for themselves.
Article 7. International Big Data Forum Held in Gyeonggi Province
[Anchor’s Headline]
On October 13, an international forum on big data was held at the Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center. Presenters spoke about the present and future of big data as well as about issues associated with its effective utilization.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (October 13 - 15)
2015 B.I.G. Forum
Entitled 2015 B.I.G. Forum, this 3-day international semi-academic event was organized jointly by Gyeonggi Province and Seoul National University. In his opening address, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil proposed the establishment of an international cooperation organization for the management of big data and the protection of privacy.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“(For example,) the IAEA was established as an international governance system. Under monitoring through this system, nations around the world utilize nuclear power for peaceful purposes.”
▶ International Governance for Big Data Risk Management
Governor Nam’s proposal aimed at establishing an international body and monitoring system that can prevent the utilization of big data for inappropriate purposes by governments or enterprises while promoting transparent information exchanges. Professor Thomas Davenport also stressed the importance of information exchanges and the protection of privacy.
▶ Professor Thomas Davenport
“I think the combination of transparency and understanding of trade-offs, I think, will go a long way for helping solve a lot of these privacy issues.”
▶ Gyeonggi to Begin Open Platform Service from February 2016
The Gyeonggi Province spokesperson revealed that the provincial government will develop an open platform for data exchanges between the public and private sectors so as to provide big data services from February next year.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
We look forward to seeing you again next week.