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 Introduces Agricultural Enterprise Internship Program (1128-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Earlier this year, Gyeonggi Province introduced an internship program for those seeking career transfers to farming and agricultural enterprises that require additional personnel.

▶ Agricultural Enterprise, Hwaseong City
At this agricultural enterprise that produces tomatoes for export, a youth is working alongside other employees in their 50s. He is a high school senior who is learning advanced farming techniques and also aspires to have his own farm in the future.
▶ Song Yu-seon / Senior Student, Suwon Agricultural High School
“I am learning soilless culture techniques. I want to realize my dream of running my own hydroponic farm someday.”

▶ Aspiring & Returning Farmers Education Program
Participants in this internship program, titled Aspiring & Returning Farmers Education Program, receive a monthly stipend of approximately KRW 1.5 million as well as regular insurance benefits during their internship.
▶ Interns Pursue Employment or Farm Startup
After completing a 6-month internship, youths start their farming careers either as employees or as independent farmers.
▶ Kim Chung-beom / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Policy Division
“We developed this program with the aim of nurturing farmers of the future through practical education at enterprises that have advanced farming technologies and successful marketing experiences.”
The participating enterprises have also expressed satisfaction with this provincial program.
▶ Hwang Sun-ha / Managing Director, Agricultural Enterprise, Hwaseong City
“Being located away from urban areas, we have difficulties in securing young employees. This program helps us train youths to become capable personnel.”
Since its launch this year, nineteen interns have participated in this program, nurturing agricultural dreams at five enterprises.
▶ GTV Reporter Choi Chang-sun
“This program will help youths gain confidence in farming and start their agricultural careers successfully. Gyeonggi GTV, Choi Chang-sun.”

Article 2. Gyeonggi Honorary Environment Watchmen Workshop (1128-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] Since 2003, Gyeonggi Province has been operating the Honorary Environment Watchmen designation system to protect the environment. Watchmen are selected from among members of the public who have knowledge and experience in environmental preservation.

▶ Distribution Center, Goyang City
At a distribution facility in Goyang (고양) City, an environment watchman encounters the illegal burning of waste wood and other trash. He immediately interrupts the illegal practice and prepares a report.
[Sync] “You can’t burn materials like this. It’s against waste disposal regulations…”
Stream banks are covered by piles of trash thrown away illegally by those who ignore warning signs.
▶ Administrative Actions Follow Watchmen’s Reports
One of the watchmen’s roles is to report such illegal practices with detailed records of evidence for administrative action.
▶ [PiP] Gwon Hae-won / Honorary Environment Watchman, Goyang City
“Since all watchmen are local residents, we know the areas at high risk of environmental damage. That makes it much easier for us to monitor the environment and …”
In Gyeonggi Province, more than 380 environmental violations have so far been reported by the environment watchmen, and most were resolved through administrative actions.
There are more than 270 watchmen currently working in the province.
▶ Green Environment Center, Hwaseong City (November 25)
Gyeonggi Honorary Environment Watchmen Workshop
On November 25, Gyeonggi Province organized an educational Honorary Environment Watchmen Workshop.
▶ Kim Gun / Director General, Gyeonggi Province Environment Office
“There exist differences in individual performance capabilities. This workshop aims to realize uniformity in the expertise of individuals as well as in related local administrative procedures.”
The honorary environment watchmen are playing an important role in protecting the environment in Gyeonggi Province.

Article 3. Gyeonggi to Host American Marine Resort (1129-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced the development of a marine resort on Seongam (선감) Island off the coast of Ansan (안산) City. The resort will house a variety of American-style amusement, cultural, and tourism facilities.
▶ Seongam Island, Ansan City
Together with neighboring islands, this island is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the western coast of Gyeonggi Province.
▶ Island District Attracts 8.6 Million Visitors Annually
Although this scenic island district is frequented by 8.6 million visitors annually, it suffers from a lack of accommodation facilities and other amenities. The development of a resort will help address such deficiencies in this district.
▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (November 28)
Signing of Ansan Oceanberry Investment Agreement
This announcement followed the signing of an investment agreement with an American enterprise.
▶ Ansan City Mayor Je Jong-gil
“This is an ideal location in Korea. It also bodes well with Ansan City’s pursuit of changes.”
The development of this resort, which will cover 77 acres on the island, is expected to cost KRW 180 billion.
▶ 5,000 New Jobs and Economic Ripple Effects of KRW 500 Billion
The facilities that are planned for this marine resort include: a science park for children, a water park, a cultural center, and an aquarium.
Constructed in an American style, this resort will also create more than 5,000 new jobs and generate economic ripple effects amounting to more than KRW 500 billion.
It is also close to many other popular destinations including a forest park and youth training center.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“I expect that this resort will become part of a new concept in tourism infrastructure that combines education, tourism and future industries. Gyeonggi Province will provide maximum support for the success of this project.”
This new island-based marine resort complex in Gyeonggi Province is slated to open in 2022. Construction work will begin in 2018.

Article 4. Gyeonggi Overwater Solar Power Generation Project (1129-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] This year, Gyeonggi Province launched a 10-year project for overwater solar power generation facilities on water bodies of the province. The total amount of energy that will be generated by these facilities will be twice as much as the energy demand for a large new town.

▶ Anseong Geumgwang Reservoir
These solar power-generating modules were installed over a reservoir in Anseong (안성) City.
The overwater installation method is up to twice as productive as fixed types that are used on buildings since aquatic installations enable the solar panels to constantly face the sun. This also helps prevent the proliferation of green algae.
The 1,550 modules on this reservoir currently generate sufficient power for the year-round use of 190 households.
▶ Wu Do-yeong / Overwater Solar Panel Development Enterprise
“We use a technology that enables easy rotation and thus maximize generation efficiency. These panels also absorb sunlight reflected from water surface throughout the day.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (August 3)
Signing of MOU for Overwater Solar Power Generator Installations
This past August, Gyeonggi Province signed an agreement with the Korea Rural Community Corporation for overwater solar power generation.
▶ 72 Gyeonggi Reservoirs Available for Solar Power Generation
In Gyeonggi Province, there are 72 reservoirs – including the 70 covered by this agreement – that can accommodate solar power-generating modules.
▶ Kang Cheol-gu / Research Official, Gyeonggi Research Institute
“We studied feasibility based on the reservoir requirements: water capacity of over 20,000 ton, no obstruction of sunlight by surrounding topological features, and no foreseeable opposition by local residents.”

▶ Electricity Generation Sufficient to Supply 540,000 Households
Once completed, this project will generate up to 608 megawatts, which is equivalent to the amount of electricity consumed by 270,000 households over two years; this can replace more than half of a 1 gigawatt nuclear power generator.
Gyeonggi Province plans to install overwater solar power generation facilities on 4 reservoirs next year.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Province Exchanges Public Facilities with Suwon City (1129-3)
[Anchor’s Headline] On November 28, Gyeonggi Province and Suwon (수원) City agreed to exchange stakes in the Suwon World Cup Stadium and the Gyeonggi Arts Center so as to rationalize their management for effective operations.

▶ Suwon World Cup Stadium
The Suwon World Cup Stadium Management Foundation was established jointly by Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City in 1996.
Since its establishment, this shared ownership has resulted in management inefficiencies. However, the problem will be resolved when Gyeonggi Province hands over part of its stake in the facilities to Suwon City.
▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (November 28)
MOU for Management Rationalization of Suwon World Cup Stadium
In exchange for this acquisition, Suwon City will transfer ownership of the land occupied by the Gyeonggi Arts Center to Gyeonggi Province.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“How wonderful it is to realize this exchange that is beneficial for both provincial and Suwon residents!”

▶ Suwon City Undertakes World Cup Stadium Management Rights
In exchange for holding exclusive ownership of the Gyeonggi Arts Center, Gyeonggi Province will transfer 20 percent of its stake in the Suwon World Cup Stadium. This will make Suwon City the highest stakeholder in the stadium.
▶ Transaction Valued KRW 90.9 Billion
Since the World Cup Stadium Management Foundation is worth KRW 491 billion and the land of the Gyeonggi Arts Center is valued KRW 90.9 billion, this transaction is approximately even for both authorities.
The detailed transaction will be completed by March 2018 based on property appraisals and urban planning in the related areas. Suwon City will then be able to perform effective supervision and management of the stadium.

Article 6. 4th Public Political Idea Contest Held in Gyeonggi Province (1130-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] On November 29, the finals of the 4th public political idea contest organized by Gyeonggi Province took place. The latest contest saw the domination of virtual reality and augmented reality applications among the entries.

▶ ‘Suggestions & Creations Audition’ Finals

[Sync] “I, King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty, command my men to build the most advanced fortress in Suwon.”
Noh (노성언) proposed a textbook that enables readers to experience the cultural heritage of Gyeonggi Province as a virtual reality character in historical settings.
▶ Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (November 29)
4th Suggestions & Creations Audition
Titled Suggestions & Creations Audition, this contest is held annually to identify exceptional public ideas that can be utilized for administrative purposes.
▶ Virtual Reality DMZ Exploration Idea Won Grand Prize
The grand prize went to virtual reality Demilitarized Zone exploration content that can be used for education and tourism. The winner himself resides near the Demilitarized Zone.
▶ Lee Ho-gwon / Grand Prize Winner
“I live where civilian traffic is controlled. I always wanted people to be able to see the beauty of the region. That led me to develop my idea of using virtual reality to show the region.”
Today’s finals featured seven ideas including one useful for regulatory improvement and another for simplified weddings.
▶ Advanced Technologies Dominate Finalist Ideas
More than half of the final ideas were based on virtual or augmented reality concepts, indicating public interest in advanced technologies.
▶ Oh Byeong-gwon / Director General, Gyeonggi Province Planning & Coordination Office
“Virtual reality and augmented reality are among the most advanced fields. The suggestions from our residents that incorporate these technologies will also help with content industry development.”
Since being introduced last year, the public administrative idea contests have seen a number of practical proposals by the members of the public, of which 15 have been adopted as actual administrative policies.

Article 7. Gyeonggi Call Taxi Drivers for Disabled Receive Education (1130-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] There are more than 500 call taxis for individuals with disabilities currently operated by Gyeonggi Province. The drivers of these call taxis, officially termed special vehicle drivers, are receiving education to improve services.

These call taxis are equipped with special devices and fixtures designed to assist passengers with limited physical mobility. However, some individuals with disabilities are reluctant to use these taxis.
▶ Kim Suk-hui / Gyeonggi Resident with Disability Class II
“Please don’t think you can ask people with disabilities any question you like. We want to be treated the same way as you treat others.”
Kim’s statement vividly illustrates the reason why call taxi drivers for individuals with disabilities should understand their clients and their disabilities.
Although the vast majority of the users of these taxis have severe disabilities, drivers as well as call operators have been permitted to begin work without appropriate education in service requirements.
▶ Education on Human Rights, Types of Disabilities, and Service Requirements
The education subjects include the rights of individuals with disabilities as well as the types and service requirements of disabilities.
▶ Five 8-Hour Education Sessions This Year
Each education session runs for 8 hours. This year, a total of five sessions were provided for drivers on different work shifts. Gyeonggi Province will continuously improve the quality of the education.
▶ Lee Chang-eun / Special Vehicle Driver
“I learned that I have to better understand those with disabilities and exercise more care in serving them.”

▶ Kang Seung-ho / Director, Gyeonggi Province Transportation Policy Division
“We will improve the quality of education to improve the quality of services; this is especially important because the number of vehicles will be increased 170 percent next year.”
The education of special vehicle drivers is important because service quality depends on their understanding of the needs of those with disabilities.

Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV
We look forward to seeing you again next week.