언론협력담당관 gnewstv@naver.com
2015.11.20
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 Designates First Investment Immigration Zone
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province has adopted a real estate investment immigration system, one that Jeju (제주) Province implemented for the first time in Korea with successful results, and recently designated a real estate development area in Paju (파주) City as an investment immigration zone.
[Report]
▶ Residential Development Area in Tongil Hill Resort in Paju City
Work that began in 2007 at this residential construction site in a projected resort area in Paju (파주) City was abandoned by the developer due to financial reasons. The unfinished buildings that have stood locked up for the past six years exude a sinister atmosphere. Recently, however, the developer found potential investors in China and is currently working with Gyeonggi Province to secure their investment.
▶ Jang Seong-wuk / Manager, Daelim Industrial Co.
“A Chinese economic delegation visited the site this past July. They were positive about investment provided that they are granted permanent residence and this area is designated as an investment immigration zone.”
For this purpose, Gyeonggi Province, Paju (파주) City and Daelim Industrial signed a cooperation agreement; thus zone designation was realized.
▶ First Investment Immigration Zone Designation in Gyeonggi Province
▶ Permanent Residence to be Granted after 5 Years of Investment over KRW 500 Million
Any foreigner that maintains an investment of more than KRW 500 million in this zone for more than five years will now be eligible for permanent residence. As is the case in Jeju (제주) Province, Chinese are expected to lead foreign investments in Paju (파주).
▶ Kim Jin-mun / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Strategic Task Inducement Team
“There will be additional effects on the development and utilization of tourism resources and accommodations in northwestern provincial regions as well as the creation of more than 20,000 new job positions…”
▶ Construction Requires Direct Employment of 1,000 Persons
Even considering only direct employment, development will require more than 1,000 personnel.
▶ Surrounding Tourism Resources to Attract Resident-type Visitors
Once development work, including more than a thousand rooms, is complete, this resort will attract many long-term visitors. There are a number of tourist destinations such as Imjingak (임진각) and shopping centers nearby.
Article 2. Veterinary Students Learn at Gyeonggi Wild Animal Rescue Center (151027-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A wild animal rescue center in Gyeonggi Province, doubling as a field study venue, currently provides veterinary school students with valuable learning opportunities.
[Report]
▶ Gyeonggi Province Wild Animal Rescue Center (October 26)
Endangered Animal Protection Class
Today is the day when an owl is released after three months of rehabilitation at this center. This owl is of an endangered species that is registered as a natural treasure in Korea. With a tentative flapping of wings, the birds flew from the hands of students and into the forest. There are more than thirty rare wild birds currently recuperating at this center, waiting to be released. These birds arrive here due to injury, hunger, or even viral diseases.
▶ Kim Jin / Seoul National University Veterinary School Student
“It was a memorable experience. It made me think that, when I become a vet, I will treat sick animals with more care and pay more attention to wild animals.”
This was part of the endangered animal protection class provided to veterinary school students of Seoul National University.
▶ 927 Wild Animals Rescued in Gyeonggi Province This Year
In Gyeonggi Province, a total of 927 wild animals were rescued this year, of which only 339 have survived treatment and been returned to their natural habitats. Such a low rate of survival is primarily due to delayed reporting by residents. A rescue center official says early reporting is important for the survival of animals in distress.
▶ Kang Cheong-geun / Gyeonggi Province Wild Animal Rescue Center Official
“What we need most urgently (for endangered species) is knowledge about the distribution of their habitats. Distribution maps must be made available through a national project. The next important thing is early reporting.”
The official also emphasized the necessity for artificial reproduction techniques and related facilities as well as wild animal rehabilitation specialists.
▶ Breeding Facilities to be Constructed Next Year
Early next year, this wild animal rescue center will see the construction of artificial breeding facilities for endangered animal species as well as for animals that have been designated as natural treasures such as eagle owls.
Article 3. Apartment Fire Drill Held in Gyeonggi Province (151028-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province held a communal housing fire drill for fire and safety personnel in the province. This fire drill took place at an apartment building in Suwon (수원) City. More than half the population of Gyeonggi Province lives in apartment complexes.
[Report]
▶ Apartment Building in Suwon City (October 27)
2015 Communal Housing General Fire Drill
Immediately after an apartment on the sixth floor catches fire, apartment office personnel move quickly and shut down the main gas pipes of the building while also evacuating the residents of the same building to a safe // An individual who has been locked in an elevator and asphyxiated by smoke is rescued and receives CPR until medics arrive.
▶ [PIP] Kim Jong-il / Manager, Apartment Management Office
“The safe evacuation of residents is most important. Our job is to inform residents of fire, evacuate them and help with their rescue. We keep a list of people with physical difficulties like the individual who came out in a wheelchair.”
[CG] There were 1,078 incidents of fire at communal residences in Gyeonggi Province in 2013. In 2014, the number increased by 100. The number of fatalities also increased from 10 to 15 during the same period.
▶ Yang Dong-gil / Gyeonggi Province Housing Policy Division Official
“When a fire occurs, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth or towel and quickly leave the building by the emergency stairs. We will continue to organize fire drills both on a provincial and regional basis.”
▶ Regular Residential Drill Essential
A Gyeonggi official noted that residential participation in regular fire drills is very important in minimizing casualties and damage.
Article 4. Gyeonggi Province to Implement 10 Projects with Education Office (151029-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On October 28, the officials of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education gathered together for a workshop. This workshop was organized so as to identify task areas that can be achieved more effectively through the cooperative efforts of both provincial authorities.
[Report]
▶ La Vie D’or Resort, Hwaseong City (October 28)
Gyeonggi Province-Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Cooperation Workshop
At this workshop that took place at a resort in Hwaseong (화성) City, officials from both authorities selected ten projects and discussed ways in which to implement these projects. This joint initiative is part of Gyeonggi Province’s coalition with provincial education authorities that began this past June.
▶ Lee Geum-jae / Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, External Relations Director
“I think this is the time when the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education began working together for our children.”
During the workshop, tentative implementation plans for each selected project were presented and discussed in-depth.
▶ Kim Yong-ho / Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, School Policy Director
“We can come up with region-specific solutions through discussion and cooperation…”
[CG] These projects, which include those regarding school meal expenses and school environment improvement, will be implemented from next year.
▶ English Villages to Open in March Next Year
Both parties also agreed, as part of the already-existing joint educational theme park project, to open two English villages in the cities of Paju (파주) and Yangpyeong (양평) on a trial basis next March.
▶ Kim Yeong-tae / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Education Policy Team
“We have finalized ten joint projects between the two authorities. We will work closely with the education office for the realization of the projects.”
An experience-based education program for children that had been suspended due to disagreement between the two authorities was also subject to resolution during the workshop. The economic school uniform project, the first product of the Gyeonggi administration and education coalition, was a great success that alleviated some of the financial burden on parents. Such coalition efforts will be expanded through operation of a joint committee.
Article 5. Gyeonggi Institute Provides On-site Farm Counseling (1103-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, has been providing farmers with on-site counseling services on various agricultural issues. Our reporter visited one such farmer.
[Report]
▶ Ginseng Farm, Yeoju City
At this farm, the harvesting of four-year-old ginseng is underway. These ginseng roots have all the properties required to qualify as red ginseng, the highest-grade. In the beginning, this farm faced difficulties due to the high salinity of the soil. However, thanks to on-site counseling provided by specialists from GARES, these problems have been resolved.
▶ Lee Tae-su / Ginseng Specialist
“We gave advice on how to produce healthy roots through harvest rate control. The farmer now has good harvests each year.”
▶ Harvest Increased Two-fold Since On-site Counseling
After receiving on-site counseling services, this farm now produces twice the national average quantity per area.
▶ Gwon Hyuk-jae / Ginseng Farmer
“A Ph.D. holder personally visited our farm and gave us advice on site. With his guidance, we are now able to produce better and more ginseng.”
▶ Problems Resolved and Production Increases
Specialists from GARES have been visiting ginseng farms so as to help farmers resolve problems and increase productivity as well as quality. GARES also provides similar assistance for other agricultural endeavors including grain, vegetable, fruit and horticultural farms so as to improve the competitiveness of farmers and farm products of the province.
Article 6. Gyeonggi Province Conducts G-Mark Meat Inspection (1105-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province uses a product certification system, titled the G-Mark system, to promote the quality of provincial agricultural and livestock products. Recently, a provincial institute conducted inspections of G-mark livestock products and found that they are all maintaining their quality standards.
[Report]
▶ Super Market in Suwon City
At this supermarket in Suwon (수원) City of Gyeonggi Province, the processed meat corner is ignored by shoppers.
▶ Min Sook / Shooper, Seodun-dong, Suwon City
“I don’t feel comfortable (with processed meat products), so I don’t use them at home. After hearing news on TV, I hope such products are not used in school meals either …”
Since the announcement by the WHO of the existence of carcinogenic substances in processed meat products, sausages and ham products have been shunned by consumers in Korea. Mothers have even begun to fear that schools might use sausages and ham in school meals.
▶ G-Marked Processed Meat Products Found Safe
As worries among consumers escalate, Gyeonggi Province announced that all G-mark processed meat products are safe for consumption. G-mark certification of processed meat products is granted only to those products that do not use food additives including carcinogens as classified by the WHO.
▶ Choi Gwon-lak / Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center, Analysis Team Leader
“All G-mark products are supposed to be well-being foods free of food additives including coloring agents, preservatives and anti-oxidization agents as well as MSG and starch…”
▶ Shorter Expiry Periods without Chemical Additives
The expiry periods of G-mark products are about ten days shorter than those of other products since they have no chemical additives.
▶ G-Marked Products Used at 200+ Schools
G-mark products that carry the accreditation of the Governor of Gyeonggi Province are being sold through the online G-mark shopping mall as well as to more than 200 schools. Gyeonggi Province will maintain strict safety and hygiene standards for G-mark certification and management.
Article 7. 2015 G-Fair Korea Opens (1106-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On November 5, G-Fair Korea, Korea’s representative small and medium industry expo, opened at KINTEX in Goyang (고양) City. Our reporter examined the details of the event which featured more than 20,000 products.
[Report]
The color of these baby clothes change automatically in response to the changes in the body temperature of the baby wearing them. Colors are the telltale sign of the health of babies under 24 months of age. There is also a book-reading tree which begins to recite stories to children when a book with a special sticker is placed close to it. Filled with products showcasing brilliant ideas such as these, G-Fair Korea attracted the interest of many visitors.
▶ Ham Seong-jin / Visitor from Songpa-dong, Seoul
“I was very surprised to learn that there are so many excellent products manufactured by small and medium-sized enterprises. The scale of this exhibition is also larger than I thought...”
▶ Exhibition Hall 1, KINTEX, Goyang City (November 5 – 8)
2015 G-Fair Korea
G-Fair Korea, which ran for four days until November 8 this year, is the largest SME product exhibition in Korea.
▶ Choi Hyeon-deok / Assistant Governor, Gyeonggi Province Economy Office
“…products that are necessary for people lives, easy to use, functional and safe as well as environmentally friendly…”
▶ 20,000 SME Products Featured
Opened under the theme of ‘All Products for Living’, this year’s G-Fair showcased a large number of products for household use. In addition, there was also a special section for sporting goods that featured a one-person badminton court as well as a portable folding canoe.
▶ Visitors Include Large Number of Overseas Buyers
This year’s event was attended by more than 500 buyers from forty nations who showed great interest in the products of Korean SMEs.
▶ Andrew Heboronski / Buyer from Russia
“Korean products have high technical standards. They also have a variety of new designs. I was interested in those products that use natural ingredients.”
▶ Featured Products Sold at Discounted Prices
There were also accompanying events including a business start-up academy and export strategy seminar as well as discount sales of featured products during the exhibition.
▶ G-Fair Korea Ended on November 8
Organized jointly by Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center and the Small and Medium Business Center Association, G-Fair Korea ended on November 8.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
We look forward to seeing you again next week.