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 Helps Renovate Old Villages (151230-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Since 2012, Gyeonggi Province has been providing renovation support to old villages of historical value. Our reporter visited two such villages that have recently been transformed with new fixtures and improved community facilities.

[Report]

▶ Wanglim Village, Uiwang City

This once-rundown village, whose name stems from a king’s visit, now has an information board for visitors at its entrance that describes its historic significance. Streets have been cleaned and public buildings refurbished.

▶ [PIP] Park Yong-ae, Uiwang City Resident

“There had been no proper management of the village environment. However, as you can see, everything has changed. We now have places where residents can chat in pleasant surroundings and…”

A common trash collection site was established and old house walls were renovated and painted with pleasant murals.

▶ Seori Village, Gwangju City

This village in Gwangju (광주) City is the birth place of a revered patriot who fought against Japanese occupation. This village also saw a complete refurbishment. The foul-smelling public toilet site was replaced with communal resting areas. Walls were painted with artistic depictions of tomatoes, a local specialty product.

The village environment improvement support program of Gyeonggi Province has been targeting old villages and transforming them into new towns while restoring their local characteristics.

▶ Architectural Design Improvement Program

Provided Support of KRW 58 Million to 2 Villages in 2015

Officially termed Architectural Design Improvement Projects, this program provided support of KRW 58 million to these two villages last year.

▶ Kang Hyo-seok / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Landscape Team

“Gyeonggi Province will continue working with residents and specialists to create beautiful village environment.”

Gyeonggi Province plans to adopt a storytelling concept in future village environment improvement projects so as to enhance convenience for residents as well as the image of villages.

Article 2. Gyeonggi Opens North Creative Business Support Center (151231-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

This past December 30, the North Gyeonggi Cultural Creativity Hub marked the beginning of its full-fledged operations with a ceremony. Our reporter was there.

[Report]

▶ North Gyeonggi Cultural Creativity Hub (December 30, 2015)

Inauguration Ceremony

Since its tentative opening last year, this center has been providing business startup support to youths with ideas in manufacturing and cultural contents.

▶ [Sync] “This is a message from Gayeong. ‘Hello.’ Do you want to answer?”

Through this provincial support, IPL developed smart robots that act as control platforms for household appliances. In just the eleven months since its establishment, this company has secured overseas investments of more than USD 6 million.

▶ [PIP] Kim Gyeong-wook / Representative, IPL

“The age of smart phones is being overtaken by the emerging ‘Internet of Things’. The core of the Internet of Things is a hub that connects all network components. This robot is just that.”

This vehicle safety device is one of the items selected for this year’s business startup support. This device connects a vehicle to its owner without the necessity for leaving a personal telephone number with the vehicle.

▶ [PiP] Yang Na-ri / Vehicle Safety Device Developer

“This product protects telephone numbers from being exposed to misuse through voice phishing, stalking and spam.”

During the ceremony held at the North Gyeonggi Cultural Creativity Hub, awards were presented to five exemplary enterprises that had been successfully established. Among the five award recipients, IPL, with its smart robot platform, received the top award as well as prize money of KRW 10 million.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Jae-yul

“We will actively provide (young aspiring entrepreneurs with) educational opportunities, financial support and work spaces as well as overseas marketing support.”

Last year, the North Gyeonggi Cultural Creativity Hub assisted 40 startups that created 80 jobs, and provided startup support in 390 cases. This center will be the leading youth business support center in these fields in northern Gyeonggi Province.

Article 3. Gyeonggi’s Construction Administrative Rationalization (160105-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province has a policy that aims to enhance administrative procedures pertaining to private construction. Recently, the provincial government conducted assessments of local governments in the realization of this policy for the year 2015.

[Report]

▶ Bucheon City

In these annual assessments, Bucheon (부천) City won the highest award.

This policy includes free consultation provision by certified architects regarding construction regulations, approval procedures and requirements that, depending on the circumstances, can be complicated.

▶ Kim San-su / Bucheon City Resident

“I have a 230-square-meter open land lot that I want to build a house on. I wanted to know the floor area limit, costs and possible designs, and I received much of the information I needed.”

Even when business owners wish to install temporary structures, officials provide on-site assistance from applications to the preparation of layout drawings free of charge, saving the applicants from having to hire professional services.

▶ Small Multi-dwelling Residences

Supported by a provincial ordinance, Bucheon (부천) City also provides financial assistance for repair work for small multi-dwelling residences.

▶ Park Jong-hak / Director, Bucheon City Construction Division

“Our small multi-dwelling residence support program – Korea’s first – and the operation of construction counseling by certified architects received high scores.”

Gyeonggi Province conducts these construction administration assessments among its 31 cities and counties on a regular basis.

▶ Grand Prize Winner: Bucheon City

1st Prize Winners: Hwaseong City and Yongin City

2nd Prize Winners: Yeoju City and Suwon City

Last year, the annual awards were presented to individuals including officials in 13 cities and counties and architects employed by 5 local administrations.

▶ Song Hae-chung / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Architectural Management Team

“We will continuously identify and resolve construction regulatory issues this year so as to provide reliable construction administrative services and realize safe and sound living environments.”

Gyeonggi Province will continue to mitigate those regulations that cause unreasonable inconvenience among residents this year.

Article 4. Gyeonggi to Establish Major Used Car Complex (151231-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province announced that Suwon (수원) City will house Korea’s largest used car trade center in 2018. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Jeil Buksuwon Car Trade Center

This 20-year-old used car center in Suwon (수원) City is home to 16 used car dealerships. However its aging facilities hinder used car market growth.

▶ [PiP] Kim Si-chang / Chairman, Jeil Buksuwon Car Trade Association

“There is a huge lack of parking space. Even current spaces are open to the elements. We really need improvement.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (December 30, 2015)

Automobile Complex Construction Agreement

To resolve this issue, Gyeonggi Province, Suwon City and Deutsch Motors, a major automobile importer, agreed to construct a new automobile trade complex.

▶ New Space for Car Display, Sale, Repair and More

Requiring an investment of KRW 350 billion, this new used car complex will feature car-displaying spaces with modern facilities as well as spaces for trade and repair services.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“This will be a premium used car center. It will be a new model for such facilities at which reliable cars can be purchased at reasonable process.”

▶ 595,000 Square Meter Site

This complex will be constructed on a large site of nearly 600,000 square meters.

▶ New Jobs Created and Urban Scenes Improved

The construction of these new facilities will have the effect of creating approximately 7,000 new jobs while improving the surrounding urban environment.

▶ GTV Reporter Jeong Yeon-woo

“After the necessary procedures for approvals and permits, the construction of the new automobile complex will be completed in 2018.”

Article 5. Winter Blight Hits Greenhouse Farms (160104-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

With continuously higher-than-average temperatures coupled with more precipitation and less sunlight, an increasing number of greenhouse farms are being impacted by diseases and insects this winter.

[Report]

▶ Flower Farm

A growing number of flowering plants have turned black in this greenhouse due to blight.

▶ Ham Hun-sik / Flower Farm Owner

“We didn’t have blight before. It hit us this year, and I am very worried.”

▶ Increased Rainfall and Temperatures Cause Blight Damage

Increased rainfall and abnormally high temperatures are affecting plants while inviting diseases and insects this winter.

▶ Humidity Control Essential

The most important factors in preventing winter blight are humidity control and the provision of supplementary light and carbon dioxide.

▶ Provision of Supplementary Light and Carbon Dioxide also Important

Installation of lighting and supplying carbon dioxide gas in greenhouses will help plants grow while preventing blights caused by diseases and insects.

▶ Sticky Traps Used to Check Vermin

The use of sticky traps will also help identify vermin.

▶ Gennadius & Mulberry Thrips

Sticky traps are useful in identifying small harmful insects such as gennadius and mulberry thrips.

▶ Lee Hyun-ju / Researcher, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services

“Farmers must stay alert through continuous observation and preventive measures so as to avert winter blights.”

A Gyeonggi provincial institute began inspecting farms around the province so as to monitor and prevent winter crops from being affected by blights.

Article 6. Land Transaction Restrictions Lifted in Guri (160106-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

In 2013, Gyeonggi Province designated the World Design Center site in Guri (구리) City as a land transaction restriction zone. However, part of the designated zone was recently relieved from the restrictions. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Guri World Design Center Construction Site

The restriction zone includes this World Design Center construction site.

▶ Approx. 1.7 Million Square Meters

It covers approximately 1.7 million square meters, 200 times larger than a football field.

▶ Land Transaction Restriction Zone Designated in 2013

Land transactions in this zone were restricted in 2013 so as to prevent speculative transactions. However, such restrictions also prevented local residents from exercising some of their property rights.

▶ Ham Yeong-hwa / Guri City Resident

“Without such restrictions, you can build your house whenever you want, can’t you? Not only that, you can also sell your house and move out whenever you want.”

▶ Part of Land Transaction Restriction Zone Relieved

Responding to local resident complaints, Gyeonggi Province released restrictions for approximately 53 percent of the site where speculative transaction potential is low.

▶ [PIP] Min Cheon-sik / Director, Gyeonggi Province Urban Housing Division

“Such a release of transaction restrictions will enable land owners to reasonably exercise their property rights.”

▶ 6 Land Transaction Restriction Zones in Gyeonggi Province

To date, six land transaction restriction zones have been designated in Gyeonggi Province including the second Pangyo (판교) Techno Valley construction site.

▶ Gyeonggi to Consider Releasing Restrictions Based on Local Situations

Gyeonggi Province will investigate land transaction trends in these zones and partially release the designations based on the results.

Article 7. 2016 Gyeonggi Administrative Objectives (160108-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

While attending year-opening ceremonies at regional chambers of commerce, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil disclosed the objectives of his administration for the year 2016. It seems the economy will be the major focus of the Gyeonggi provincial administration this year.

[Report]

▶ Suwon Hotel Castle (January 4)

Suwon Chamber of Commerce Year Opening Ceremony

Returning from his New Year’s holiday, Governor Nam attended the year-opening ceremony at the Suwon Chamber of Commerce.

▶ Gyeonggi Administration Objectives This Year: Job Creation and Economic Growth

During the ceremony, Governor Nam mentioned job creation and economic growth as this year’s objectives.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“We focused our major efforts on coalition last year. This year, we will focus more on the establishment of economic foundations.”

[CG] The key words of the Gyeonggi administration for 2016 will be economy, welfare, northern development and coalition.

Governor Nam revealed a plan to promote a ‘shared market economy’. Its main components will be projects that reduce the gap between large enterprises and small and medium enterprises.

For welfare policies, ‘target-based welfare’ will be pursued to provide customized welfare services where they are needed, instead of providing conventional, generalized welfare support.

▶ [PIP] Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“Welfare demand is increasing. However, we cannot simply expand welfare programs for the general population. We have started target-based welfare in Gyeonggi Province.”

The acceleration of northern provincial development is another area upon which Gyeonggi Province will focus this year. Related projects will include the designation of special reunification zones and the promotion of DMZ tourism as well as the expansion of infrastructure.

Gyeonggi Province will also cultivate new ideas so as to continue its coalition policy that produced significant results last year.

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

We look forward to seeing you again next week.