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. Construction of New Gyeonggi Government Complex to Begin in September (0817)

[Anchor’s Headline]

After endless debate over the span of five administration terms, groundbreaking for the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex will finally take place in September.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center (August 13)

Public Presentation on New Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex Construction

On August 13, Gyeonggi Province announced a detailed schedule during a presentation meeting held at the request of the Korea Association of Realtors. This official presentation of the actual construction schedule came after the disclosure of the preliminary plan last month.

▶ Groundbreaking Scheduled for September

At the meeting, the Vice Governor Park Soo-young (박수영) provided an overview of the schedule.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs

“By as early as September, we will be able to see walls demolished and turf laying begin”

Work will begin next month with the laying of turf on open ground.

▶ Public-Residential-Commercial Complex Conceived in 2005

During the meeting, many questions were raised about the comprehensive plan that encompasses public, residential and commercial establishments, which, the government spokesperson revealed, was originally conceived in 2005.

▶ Lee Gye-sam / General Director, Gyeonggi Province Construction Headquarters

“The underlying principle is that commercial development forms around the provincial government complex, which will in turn contribute to the competitiveness of the city.”

The idea of comprehensive development stemmed from concerns about the original plan that only included public buildings and repeatedly ended up in deadlock. Eight out of ten realtors in the province advocated a comprehensive type of development.

Gyeonggi Province will continue to communicate with residents throughout the construction process.

Article 2. Korean Traditional Music Concert Aided by IT (0818)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Earlier this month at the Gyeonggi Arts Center, a Korean traditional music concert was held. What was different about this concert was that it featured IT technologies so as to enhance music appreciation by the young audience.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Arts Center (August 8)

“Flying Super-Music”

While traditional musical instruments produce lively music, small flying objects flicker across the dark stage.

▶ Traditional Korean Music Promotional Event

The cameras attached to the instruments show vivid images of vibrating strings on a screen, allowing the audience to appreciate the music with their eyes as well as ears.

▶ [Sync] “Could you demonstrate the sound of the first string?”

The audience is drawn to the sounds as well as visual displays. The performance is also aided by colorful flying robots moving in time with the music.

IT technologies have often been featured in art exhibitions. However, this is the first musical concert to feature digital images and robots for musical rendition enhancement.

▶ [PiP] Yu Ji-won / Gwanggyo-dong, Suwon City

“I could see that the concert was well organized for easy appreciation by children. I also enjoyed the performance and realized that traditional music can coexist with modern culture.”

This concert was provided by the Gyeonggi Provincial Korean Classic Orchestra.

▶ [PiP] Choi Sang-hwa / President, Gyeonggi Provincial Korean Classic Orchestra

I think we should create a new phase of Korean traditional music utilizing ICT. Classic music as well as modern music may well be appreciated through multimedia, not just through the ears.”

Seemingly conservative Korean traditional music is leading the movement for integration with modern technologies.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Governor’s Residence Transformed (0819)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province is preparing to open the residence of its governor for public use as a tourist destination complete with accommodations and cultural amenities. The residence of the Governor of Gyeonggi Province is situated next to Paldalsan (팔달산) Mountain in Suwon.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor’s Resident

This residence was built in 1967 and has since served twenty-four governors.

▶ ‘Gyeonggi Province Governor’s Residence Operation and Management Ordinance’

For the development and opening of the residence, Gyeonggi Province has already made public notification for the enactment of a related ordinance.

▶ Tourism & Accommodation Facilities with a Gallery, a Café and Banquet House

The major transformation will be the modification of the residential building into accommodations for tourists. There will be a gallery that exhibits photos of successive governors, their mementos and household items as well as gifts they received. The promenade will also be landscaped with a café in a cozy corner.

▶ Gang Shin-ho / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Government Building Management Team

“The promenade will be linked to the residential building. The place will also be easily accessible by tourists visiting Suwon Hwaseong.”

Amenities will include a small theater as well as open spaces for flea markets and cultural activities. The ordinance for this purpose will be tabled with the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly during its extraordinary session. With legal preparations and re-development progressing as scheduled, the residence is on track for its opening in January next year.

Article 4. GARES Develops Strawberries for Summer Cultivation (0819)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, announced the development of a technique that enables farmers to grow strawberries in hot weather.

[Report]

▶ Strawberry farm in Jangan-gu, Suwon

Strawberries are popular year-round, especially during the summer.

▶ [Sync] “A shaved ice with strawberry, please.”

However, the year-round supply of strawberries is not easy.

▶ Won Jong-nam / Shaved Ice House Owner

“Demand for strawberries is high during the summer. Since fresh strawberries are not available, or very expensive, I use frozen strawberries.”

Since strawberries are mostly grown during the spring in elevated regions to avoid hot temperatures, the price usually soars during the summer.

GARES has been developing strawberry farming techniques for cultivation in summer months. A water spraying technique and multi-tier farming tem have already been introduced. Recently, GARES successfully developed a new technique using cold water flow close to the strawberry roots that costs less but produces greater yields.

▶ Lim Jae-wuk / Director, GARES

“Once this cold water flow technique proves successful through trial farming, we will introduce the technique to all strawberry farms in the province.”

This technique is regarded as more effective and productive than previous summer strawberry farming techniques that have been developed by GARES since 2013.

Article 5. Morning Anticipation Senior Halls (0818)

[Anchor’s Headline]

A senior hall entitled the “Morning Anticipation Senior Hall” opened in Icheon (이천) City of Gyeonggi Province. Unlike other local senior halls, this senior hall serves as a community center for all villagers. Our reporter was there to see how it works.

[Report]

▶ Daedae-1-ri, Icheon City

Senior Hall that Encourages Us to Anticipate Mornings #1

Seniors in brightly colored attire move their bodies, albeit awkwardly, to music. With beads of sweat on their faces, these senior villagers are eager to follow the instructions of their aerobics instructor.

▶ Choi Ui-ju (Aged 81)

“We are having so much fun together. No one here smokes or drinks. I became much healthier doing aerobics.”

This senior hall is the first Morning Anticipation Senior Hall opened and operated directly by Gyeonggi Province. Provincial support of KRW 20 million is used for various programs including health improvement and classes in various crafts.

Another characteristic of this senior hall is that it is open to all local residents. It has an upper floor room in which children can study.

▶ [PiP] Choi Yun-hyuk / Daedae-ri Resident Leader

“Children can learn from seniors while seniors share entertaining experiences with children. All three generations of our village are happy.”

This senior hall also has its own vegetable garden in which villagers currently grow sesame. The proceeds from their harvests will be used for the community.

▶ Jeong Yong-am / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Senior Policy Team

“We opened three senior halls this year as trial cases. After interim assessment and some improvements, we will operate approximately ten senior halls next year.”

There are approximately 9,000 local senior halls in Gyeonggi Province. The Morning Anticipation Senior Halls are expected to become models for surrounding communities.

Article 6. Business Startup Mentoring Held in Gyeonggi Province (0821)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province held a business startup mentoring event for aspiring entrepreneurs in the form of auditions. Entitled UP Audition, this event aimed to provide participants with expert opinions and advice on their business items.

[Report]

Out of forty-six applicants, seven were finally selected to present in front of mentors and potential investors. Presenters described their business items and their visions.

▶ Kim Yeong0sik / Founder, BioPlatech

“The product I am going to introduce is a tooth-whitening agent that uses plasma.”

After each presentation, the panel of judges gives their thoughts and sometimes sharp criticism.

▶ Choi Dong-cheol / Director, Mark Mount

“I would have liked it if you had told us about its efficacies in a more straightforward manner instead of emphasizing plasma. I think you should consider how to approach people more easily.”

All the business items presented were original in their own right and ranged from a hair loss care service to online psychological counseling.

▶ Kim dong-hyeon / Founder, TROST Co. Ltd.

“We help those who need our psychological counseling services by resolving the problems of distance limitations, person-to-person encounters, and high costs.”

On several occasions, the judges from real business fields proposed continuous mentoring.

▶ An Byeong-deok / President, KOLON Co., Ltd.

“I may not be able to help personally as a mentor, but I can arrange for our personnel to provide one-on-one mentoring if any of you wish.”

Participants expressed their satisfaction with the helpful coaching they received during the auditions.

▶ Lee Dong-hwan / Founder, ChroMach

“I expected that mentoring would consist of mentors giving general formal comments. However, they gave me insightful advice which was very helpful.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“With knowledge and dreams, there are endless possibilities. We organized these auditions to help those in need with fair opportunities.”

While youth unemployment is a pressing issue in Gyeonggi Province, provincial support of business startups will help create new jobs.

Article 7. Gyeonggi to Improve Bus Service from Next Year (0817)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The quality of bus service in Gyeonggi Province is expected to improve significantly. The ordinance for bus service improvement that the Gyeonggi Provincial Government has pursued recently passed the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ ‘Ordinance on Route Bus Service Improvement’

Last June, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly voted for the enactment of the Ordinance on Route Bus Service Improvement for the expansion of convenience and safety features on route-serving buses. According to the ordinance, it is now possible to recharge mobile phones and enjoy more comfortable and roomy seats on the bus. There will also be a defibrillator on each bus.

Employment conditions for bus drivers will be improved through the adjustment of salaries and work schedules. Service education for bus drivers will be provided more frequently than the current monthly intervals.

Bus operators will be encouraged to work in accord with provincial policy through assessments.

▶ Kim Man-won / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Bus Policy Team

“We pursued the enactment of the ordinance so as to improve bus services and thus minimize public complaints.”

Gyeonggi Province will finalize a detailed improvement plan as well as the necessary budget by the end of October. Gyeonggi residents will then be able to use improved bus services from next year.

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

We look forward to seeing you again next week.