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 Cuts Regional Development Support (0202-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Despite the continued efforts of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government to geographically balance economic development, some local development projects may have to be abolished this year due to cuts in provincial support. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Special Tourism District Development Project, Dongducheon City

This area in Dongducheon (동두천) City near US military bases was designated as a specialized tourism district in 1997. However, since the relocation of the bases, local commerce has shrunk to one fifth of its previous level.

▶ K-Rock Village Project

In order to revive the local economy, the city government launched the ‘K-Rock Village Project’ last year, taking advantage of regional rock culture resources. This project, which includes the construction of theaters and cultural streets, now faces scrapping due to provincial support cuts.

▶ Go Jong-bin / Chairman, Dongducheon Tourism District Merchants Association

“We are struggling to survive by attracting local clients. With this project coming to an end even in its first year, we just do not know how we can…”

▶ Expressway Interchange Project, Yangpyeong County

An expressway interchange project of Yangpyeong (양평) County, which recently began after long years of lobbying so as to provide tourists with easy access to the region, also faces abrupt suspension as provincial support was denied.

▶ Son Chun-ja / Resident Chief, Songhak-1-ri, Yangpyeong County

“Residents put tremendous effort into this. It is not right to tell us it’s over after leading us to the project.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Cuts Local Project Support Budgets

Such project suspension followed recent budget cuts by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly in provincial support for the projects of six local governments.

▶ Lee Sang-gu / Director, Gyeonggi Province Balanced Development Division

“The abandoned construction sites pose a danger, especially for the coming summer. Most of all, project suspension will have damaging effects on the local economy…”

Since these local projects are geared for balanced regional development and have long been pursued by local residents, alternative funds will be necessary.

Article 2. Gyeonggi Launches Livestock Disease Prevention (160125-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Foot-and-mouth disease has hit Korean livestock farms again this year.

Following the outbreak of the disease in the southern regions of Korea, Gyeonggi Province immediately began implementing extensive measures to prevent this highly infectious disease.

[Report]

[CG] First reported at pig farms in early January, foot-and-mouth disease has already resulted in the culling of approximately 800 pigs to date.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center

Gyeonggi Province also designated the period through to May, during which many migrating birds arrive, for bird flu prevention.

▶ Gyeonggi Monitors 16 Migrating Bird Habitats

Provincial authorities have already begun monitoring 16 migrating bird habitats in the province through weekly site inspections and the testing of droppings. A ‘migrating bird alert’ system has also been put into operation so as to warn farmers of migrating birds at different stages via text messages.

Currently, an arrival stage-alert has been issued for the areas around seven locations.

▶ Lee Eun-gyeong / Chief Official, Foreign Contagious Disease Team, GPVSC

“Foot-and-mouth disease vaccination must be administered twice so as to maximize immunity. Bird flue can be prevented by keeping henhouses and feed troughs clean and sterilized and by always wearing sterile boots when entering henhouses.”

Animal diseases can only be prevented through the collective effort of farmers and authorities.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Ties with Chinese Union Pay Credit Card (160126-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

On January 25, Gyeonggi Province entered an agreement with a major Chinese credit card company, UnionPay International. The purpose of this initiative is to promote consumption among Chinese tourists, who are avid shoppers and credit card users, during their stay in the province.

[Report]

Last year, the number of Chinese tourists in Korea topped 6 million, accounting for more than 40 percent of all foreign tourists. Of these, nearly a million visited Gyeonggi Province and spent KRW 2.6 million per person on average.

[CG] For more than 70 percent of Chinese tourists, shopping is the major purpose for visiting Korea. Most Chinese use UnionPay cards.

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (January 25)

Cooperation Agreement Signed by Gyeonggi Province, UnionPay & BC Card

This agreement was signed by Gyeonggi Province, BC Card and UnionPay to promote visits to the province by Chinese and consumption during their stay in the province.

UnionPay is the world’s largest credit card company with 5 billion card issued as of 2014.

▶ Sung Bo-mi / CEO, Union Pay International Korea

“We will promote visits to Korea by UnionPay members in China while promoting card acceptance in more business areas in Korea.”

[CG] According to statistics, most UnionPay card usage occurs in Seoul and Jeju (제주) Province, with usage in Gyeonggi Province accounting for less than 1 percent.

UnionPay promotion will be carried out in phases starting from cities with larger commercial establishments.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“This will serve as part of tourism infrastructure (for Chinese tourists). It will also help the economy of Gyeonggi Province.”

The agreement for Chinese credit card promotion is expected to have positive effects on tourism in Gyeonggi Province.

Article 4. Gyeonggi Pursues Common Market Economy (160127-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

On January 26, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil met with the heads of the 31 local governments of the province. During the meeting, participants discussed a wide variety of provincial and local issues.

[Report]

▶ Good Morning House (January 26)

2016 Gyeonggi Mayors & Magistrates New Year’s Meeting

The meeting began with presentations on major provincial policy for the year. During the presentations, Governor Nam announced the launch of the common market economic policy.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“Gyeonggi Province will begin to develop a common market economy in which provincial and local resources as well as the ideas of private enterprises will be used collectively for common purposes.”

▶ Local Governments to Participate in Common Market Economic Development

Gyeonggi Province’s common market economy is a new economic model in which SMEs and merchants can compete with large enterprises by using commonly available brand development, marketing and distribution resources.

▶ Local Governments Require Regulatory Mitigation

Regulatory mitigation was, again, the hottest issue raised by local government heads.

▶ Yangpyeong County Magistrate Kim Seon-gyo

“Regulatory mitigation is the prerequisite for job creation and income growth. With our financial independence worsening, we would like to ask (the provincial government) for more positive actions…”

▶ Icheon City Mayor Cho Byeong-don

“Our residents in natural conservation areas have been raising their voices over the past twenty years, and there is still no sign of mitigation.”

Governor Nam promised to establish a special team to address issues related to the natural preservation areas.

▶ Some Proposals Agreed

During the meeting, participants proposed various ideas. Some, including those related to childcare and preschool education budgets, were agreed upon unanimously.

▶ Gwangmyeong City Mayor Yang Gi-tae

“Governor Nam expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of local governments, but it was only what we thought was necessary for our residents…”

Governor Nam asserted that Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost to resolve major issues through fundamental approaches.

Governor Nam also stressed that he will continue to work closely with local governments to resolve provincial and local issues.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Begins Wastewater Treatment Facility Inspections (0201-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province began wastewater treatment facility inspections at industrial complexes so as to prevent negligent management during Lunar New Year holidays.

[Report]

▶ Banwol Sihwa Industrial Complex

At this wastewater treatment facility in an industrial complex in Siheung (시흥) City, inspectors collect wastewater samples to test water quality. Treated wastewater is discharged to a river after strict water quality verifications.

▶ Special Wastewater Treatment Facility Inspections

These inspections were performed to ensure normal operations of water treatment facilities during the five-day Lunar New Year holidays including the weekend.

▶ Yang Jae-heon / Gyeonggi Province Industrial Complex Environment Management Office

“There are many wastewater generating facilities in the Ansan and Sihwa industrial complexes. We are conducting inspections so as to protect the environment and residents.”

▶ Inspections to be Performed in 3 Stages until February 12

Gyeonggi Province designated the period until February 12 for special wastewater treatment facility inspections. These inspections will be performed in three stages on environmental management and contaminant treatment operations.

▶ Water Contamination Monitoring

There will also be nightly patrols along rivers for water quality measurement and illegal discharge prevention.

▶ GTV Reporter Jeong Yeon-woo

“We will look more closely at locations and facilities that are prone to environmental contamination. Gyeonggi GTV, Jeong Yeon-woo.”

Article 6. One-Person Household Increase in Gyeonggi Province (0202-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Over the past ten years, the number of one-person households in Gyeonggi Province increased two-fold with individuals in their 20s and 30s and seniors being the largest groups.

[Report]

▶ Number of 1-Person Households in Gyeonggi Province: 770.000

The number of one-person households in Gyeonggi Province increased from approximately 330,000 in 2000 to approximately 770,000 in 2010.

[CG] The largest age groups among one-person families are youths in their 20s and 30s, accounting for 42 percent, and senior women, accounting 24 percent.

▶ Job Problems Increase 1-Person Households among Youths

Job-related problems are regarded as the major cause for the increase in the number of one-person households among youths.

▶ Lee Seok-hwan / Researcher, Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation

“One-person households of unmarried persons are concentrated in industrial districts while those of seniors are more concentrated in rural areas.”

▶ 1-Person Households Face Housing Expenses & Unstable Income Problems

One-person households of both youths and seniors usually face financial problems due to housing expenses and unstable income.

The Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation is currently working on the development of ways in which to improve the living environments of one-person households.

Article 7. Gyeonggi Intensifies Social Welfare Education of Officials (0203-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The Gyeonggi Provincial Human Resources Development Institute announced public official education programs and, for the first time, included social welfare education in its programs this year.

[Report]

This institute is responsible for the education of Gyeonggi provincial officials.

▶ Social Welfare Education of Gyeonggi Officials

The inclusion of social welfare education is aimed at providing more effective customized welfare services.

▶ Voluntary Services and On-site Education

Social welfare education will be geared to prepare officials for social welfare services and will be comprised of related classes as well as voluntary services and on-site service experiences.

▶ Subjects Include CPTED and Conflict Management Skills

Class education subjects were designed to meet the social welfare demands and will include living environment safety and ‘crime prevention through environmental design’ (CPTED) as well as conflict management skills.

▶ Choi Hong-gyu / Chief Official, Education Planning Team, Gyeonggi EDU

We will provide safety education and social welfare education this year so as to create safe and comfortable living environment for residents.”

▶ 69 Subjects in 2016 Education Programs

The education programs for 2016 are comprised of 69 subjects including those for new officials. These education subjects were designed to strengthen the competence of provincial officials and will be provided as necessary for the different functions of officials.

Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.

We look forward to seeing you again next week.