언론협력담당관 gnewstv@naver.com
2015.11.06
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. Eel Processor Arrested for Using Untreated Water (1028-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
An eel processor in Gyeonggi Province was arrested for unhygienic practices. He used untreated stream water from makeshift piping to process eels that were sold to restaurants and the public via social networking services.
[Report]
▶ Eel Processing Enterprise, Ansan City
When our reporter visited the factory in Ansan City, the floor in the work area was covered with the remnants of eels that had been washed with water from a local stream.
▶ Water Drawn from Local Stream
At a stream 180 meters away, water was collected via a submerged tank and pumped through pipes. There was no filtering system except for a makeshift cloth net over the tank.
▶ GTV Reporter Choi Cahng-sun
“This company even used a motor pump to draw water. This company used 43 tons of untreated water on average daily.”
Laboratory examination revealed that the stream water contained 430 times the permissible limit of microorganisms. Some eel products contained more than three times the permissible limit of lead.
▶ Eel Processing Company Employee
“No one is innocent if you see it from that perspective. Examine any restaurant and you will find (microorganisms). They are even in tap water.”
This company even discharged waste water illegally on exposed surfaces nearby.
▶ [PiP] Jang Woo-jin / Regional Chief, Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police
“Use of stream water may be permitted conditionally only when tap water or ground water supplies are not available. This company used stream water without a permit.”
▶ Eel Products Amounting to KRW 1.3 Billion Sold Nationally
The eel products produced in these unhygienic conditions were sold nationwide to ninety-five restaurants as well as to the public via social networking services.
The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police confiscated five tons of eel products and is prosecuting the owner under related food hygiene law.
Article 2. Safety Officials Joint Education Held in Gyeonggi Province (1022-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province has been recognized as an excellent region in disaster and safety administration on several occasions. Such high safety standards are attributed in part to the continuous education of its safety officials.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center (October 21)
Gyeonggi Province Regional Fire Officials Joint Education
On October 20, for the first time in Korea, Gyeonggi Province provided joint safety education to the officials of its northern cities and counties. Safety officials from southern localities received the same education the following day.
▶ Kim Tae-heung / Senior Official, Bundang Fire Station
“Studying the different functions of different organizations in one educational session will help (fire officials) protect the lives and property of residents at times of disaster.”
This occasion was termed joint education since it was provided to disaster and safety officials of the local governments as well as to regional fire officials.
▶ Disaster Response Capabilities
▶ Disaster & Safety Management and Cooperation
The education focused on disaster and safety management and cooperation as well as disaster response capabilities.
▶ Timely Report of Disaster Situation
One of the instructors was from the Korean Ministry of Public Safety and Security. He emphasized the importance of early disaster situation reports and the immediate propagation of this information to related organizations as a decisive factor in disaster management. During a free discussion session, fire officials raised the issue of a lack of equipment for effective disaster and safety control.
▶ Lee Pil-sin / Director, Gyeonggi Province Safety Planning Division
“I think joint disaster and safety education for both regional administration and fire officials is necessary for effective cooperation in disaster management.”
This education will be beneficial in minimizing casualties and property damage in emergency situations through improved disaster response capabilities and organizational cooperation.
Article 3. Job Fair Opens for Enterprises in Pangyo Techno Valley (1023-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On October 22, a job fair was held at the Creative Economy Innovation Center exclusively for the resident enterprises of Pangyo (판교) Techno Valley. Our reporter visited this event that was packed with more than 2,500 job searchers, indicating the seriousness of employment problems.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (October 22)
Pangyo Techno Valley Job Fair
Job searchers in formal attire packed the venue, anxiously viewing employment information at booths or rechecking their resumes.
▶ 40 Enterprises Participate
Forty enterprises in the fields of information technology, bio technology and cultural technology operated booths and interviewed job candidates.
▶ Kang Seong-tae / Job Searcher, Seoul
“Some companies start interviews immediately as an interviewee enters”
▶ Kang Myeong-jin / HDR Team Leader, Yegrina Ltd.
“Those who come to be interviewed have already passed a documentation review. So, during the interview, we try to determine what they are made of and if they are on the same wavelength as us.”
▶ 64% of Pangyo Techno Valley Occupied by IT Enterprises
Sixty-four percent of the resident enterprises of Pangyo Techno Valley specialize in IT technology. The combined annual sales of these enterprises amount to approximately KRW 7 trillion, a figure greater than the combined sales of POSCO and Hyundai Heavy Industry. This job fair was organized by Gyeonggi Province so as to help these enterprises find potential IT technology leaders of the future.
▶ Job-related Capabilities Weigh Heavier than Academic Background
Since the recruiting enterprises want technology-minded personnel, interviews generally focused on the job-related capabilities of individuals instead of their academic backgrounds and certifications.
▶ Song Ye-seul / Senior Student, Dankuk University
“I could obtain information about many IT enterprises on a single day, which was great. I now have a better understanding of what types of personnel they want and am better able to prepare myself.”
More than 2,500 job searchers visited the job fair, which ran for only one day, and at least 100 found employment.
▶ Choi Hyun-deok / Assistant Governor, Gyeonggi Province Economy Office
“This job fair is exclusively for enterprises and applicants in ICT fields. We will do our utmost to help youths realize their dreams in Pangyo.”
The job fair was accompanied by related events such as application-writing and interview make-up consultations. This job fair for Pangyo (판교) Techno Valley enterprises was organized as part of Gyeonggi Province’s endeavors to achieve its job creation target of 700,000 positions.
Article 4. Barista School for Individuals with Development Disorders (1026-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province has been operating a barista school for youths with development disorders since 2012 and providing graduates with employment support or assistance with opening their own cafés in public buildings.
[Report]
▶ Guri Gyomun Library (October 23)
Nanun Café No.10
The barista training of handicapped youths has also been supported by the Korea Racing Authority, which donated the school site. Kang, a barista at the tenth café, obtained her barista license a year ago and is now entering a new phase in her life. Opened three months ago, her café already has a number of regular customers.
▶ Kang Ji-hye / Barista School Graduate
“I am happy when I make coffee. I will work hard and have my own café when I am older, I hope.”
These cafés, titled Naneun (나는) Cafés, have been recognized as social enterprises by the Korean government.
▶ Nanun Café No. 10 Opens
The first Naneun (나는) Café opened in Ansan (안산) City in 2012. The tenth café has now opened at a public library in Guri (구리) City.
▶ 29 Graduates Found Employment as Baristas
Among 147 certified baristas that the school has produced, 29 have successfully found employment to date.
▶ [PIP] Hong Seo-jeong / Customer
“This café has a homier atmosphere than others. I like to see them interact with customers. I hope that they would talk to me about any difficulties and that I would be able to help them if I can.”
Naneun (나는) Cafés are warming local society while providing jobs to youths with disabilities. The eleventh café is slated to open at the Icheon Hospital of the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center.
Article 5. Communal Housing Inspectors in Gyeonggi Province (1026-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
In Gyeonggi Province, a communal housing inspection team is providing an apartment inspection service on behalf of homeowners. This provincial service has been helping ensure the quality of apartments before occupation. The service now includes post-occupation inspections.
[Report]
▶ Apartment in Changgok-dong, Seongnam City
Residential inspection is underway with the presence of the developer at this apartment building. To the owner’s eyes, everything seems fine. However, a team of specialists begins detailed inspections and discovers a number of defects.
▶ Jeong Wan-jo / Construction Specialist
“Please clean up these blotches before occupation by residents.”
▶ Communal Housing Inspections
These specialists are communal housing inspectors of Gyeonggi Province; they perform inspections on behalf of homeowners before completion and occupation. Inspectors do not miss anything regarding construction work, fire facilities, landscaping and interiors. Homeowners no longer need to worry since these specialists check details of which the owners were not even aware.
▶ Wi Jeong-chang / Apartment Owner
“Gyeonggi Province helps us with inspections on construction work, fire safety and everything. Their services are very helpful for our comfort when we move in.”
Inspections are performed twice before resident occupation on an application basis. From October this year, the service will also include inspections after occupation.
▶ [PIP] Kim Cheol-jung / Director, Gyeonggi Province Housing Policy Division
“Many residents want to see if remedial actions have been properly pursued by developers. So, from October, we will provide additional inspection services within three months after resident occupation.”
With assistance from the provincial inspection team, 94% of identified defects have been addressed as requested. The number of disputes between residents and developers has also decreased significantly.
Article 6. Gyeonggi-Gangwon Agreement Produces Positive Results (1028)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Under their cooperation agreement, the provinces of Gyeonggi and Gangwon (강원) have been working on a number of joint projects in economy, safety and other areas. Most of these projects show constant progress. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi-Gangwon Cooperation Agreement
This past April, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil and Gangwon Province Governor Choi Mun-sun (최문순) signed a general provincial cooperation agreement. The two provinces soon launched thirty-four joint projects in fourteen areas. Twenty-nine of these have already made substantial progress.
[CG] The construction project for a 12.7-kilometer bicycle road between the two provinces has successfully secured Korean government support. Work is now underway for completion in 2018.
▶ Tour de DMZ
The first cycling competition organized jointly this past May by the two provinces, titled Tour de DMZ, ended successfully with the participation of 2,000 cyclists.
▶ Disaster Response System Covering Two Provinces
There are also projects that join the jurisdictions for improved performance. For example, when a disaster occurs on Nami (남이) Island in Gangwon (강원) Province, the nearest fire station in Gapyeong (가평) County of Gyeonggi Province will be the first to respond.
▶ Joint Efforts for SME Support
In the economic sector, G-Fair Korea, a trade fair organized by Gyeonggi Province for SMEs, is open to enterprises of Gangwon (강원) Province, while enterprises in Gyeonggi Province can participate in Gangwon (강원) Province’s GTI International Trade and Investment Expo.
▶ Nam Sang-eun / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Planning & Coordination Team
"I think such positive results can be attributed to working closely together to identify feasible project areas that benefit both provinces.”
▶ Both Provinces to Seek Central Governmental Support for Border Area Development
For border areas between the two provinces where development faces economic difficulties, both provinces agreed to jointly seek support from the central government and the National Assembly.
Article 7. Gyeonggi Holds 2nd UP Creation Audition (1029-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province held the second UP Creation Audition so as to promote business ideas among aspiring entrepreneurs and connect them with investors. As before, this year’s occasion was held as an audition event, a format currently favored by Gyeonggi Province.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (October 28)
The 2nd UP Creation Audition
The selfie case featured in this audition is a modified version of the selfie stick that drew great interest during last year’s event. It is smaller and lighter and is integrated with the case for enhanced convenience.
A one-person, sound-proof room is erected by air injection. This portable room can be used by musicians for practice without inconveniencing neighbors. It is only one third of the cost of a conventional sound-proof room.
All the ideas featured at this audition event came from personal experience and the need to improve existing items.
▶ Heo Jae-gyeong / Competitor with ‘Musicus’
“I developed this item based on problems I experienced while I was working as an amateur musician. I decided that it can sell very well because many musicians can benefit from it at a very low cost.”
The judges, who are themselves potential investors, give valuable advice to the relatively inexperienced participants.
▶ Kang Seong-bu / Judge, CEO of LK Intestment Partners
“There have to be sales and cost estimations as well as expected basis points. Then you have to specify how much money you need and how much funding you are requesting. Your presentation misses many points.”
▶ Audition Provides Idea Verification and Investment Opportunities
Unlike other audition events, participants in the UP Creation Audition presented their business ideas in front of investors and had their ideas verified through criticism and advice.
▶ Lee Jae-cheol / General Director, Gyeonggi Province Policy Planning & Budget Bureau
“Since this event connects individuals with business ideas and investors who wish to create business models from these ideas, direct investment decisions can be made on the spot as well.
Gyeonggi Province will continue to promote ideas and support business startups by arranging opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to meet with potential investors through auditions.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
We look forward to seeing you again next week.