Article 1.Exemplary Regional Employment Centers in Gyeonggi Province (0112-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
It has been revealed that some of the regional employment centers that have achieved better employment results invariably exhibit active work ethics. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
▶Recruiting Enterprise Tracking through Follow-up Calls by Icheon Employment Center
The employment consultants at the Icheon(이천) Employment Center keep close tabs on recruiting enterprises through follow-up calls.
▶[Soundbite]Icheon Employment Center Personnel Making Follow-up Call
“Good morning, sir. This is the Icheon Employment Center. Have you been receiving job applications?”
This employment center keeps a list of more than900 enterprises with vacant positions and works closely with them until they find employees they want. Last year, more than 4,200 individuals found employment through this center, 800 more than the year before.
▶Ko Gwon-seok / Icheon Employment Center Team Leader
“We keep up-to-date information about enterprises so that we can take actions as necessary. This helped us achieve a high employment rate and contribute to resolving the problem of employment mismatches.”

▶Employment Vacancy Search Team of Siheung Employment Center
The employment center in Siheung (시흥) City proactively searches for vacant positions through visits. This center operates an employment consultation team of working mothers who visit more than 1,000 enterprises a year. This team successfully found employment for 464 individuals at 332 enterprises last year.
▶Kim Seong-rae / Director, Siheung City Economic Policy Division
“From this year, we will also employ contract-based employment consultants for assignment at 17 local community centers.”
These exemplary regional practices were recognized by the Gyeonggi Employment Center headquarters.
▶Park Deok-jin / Director, Gyeonggi Employment Center
“We have been identifying and promoting good practices through annual performance assessments and providing support for such endeavors.”
Such active endeavors not only contribute to resolving employment problems for both enterprises and job searchers, but also play an important role in realizing the current provincial administration’s job creation targets.

 
Article 2.Spring Water Quality Report via Smart Phones for Gyeonggi Hikers (0113-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
From this month, hikers arriving at water springs on mountain trails in Gyeonggi Province will find NFC tabs that link smart phones to water quality reports.
[Report]
▶Hyowon Spring, Namchang-dong, Suwon
Mountain springs are popular sources of water for thirsty hikers and local residents.
▶Water Quality Checked with Smart Phones
Using a smart phone, users may now check the water quality on the spot before drinking.
▶Water Safety Service App
Automatically Runs on Smart Phones with NFC Function
Simply activate the ‘near field communication’, or NFC, function on your smart phone and place the phone on the NFC tab. The water quality report for that particular spring is then displayed by the water safety service application.
▶Sin Gyeong-cheol / Maesan-dong, Suwon
“Unlike previous the paper report posted at the spring, this provides more information and is more convenient. I think this method will have positive effects in many ways.”

▶Spring Water Safety Service Opens in January in Gyeonggi Province
This NFC-based spring water quality service delivers up-to-date water quality test results as well as information about individual springs. This service will replace previous paper reports posted at spring sites that usually double as resting areas. The NFC tabs were initially installed at 210 springs on a trial basis this month and, based on responses from users, will be expanded to all 405 officially designated springs in Gyeonggi Province in six months.
▶Kim Tae-su / Gyeonggi Province Water Resource Headquarters Soil & Ground Water Team Leader
“In July, we will assess the responses of residents as well as technical problems that may arise. If the results are positive, we will expand the installation of NFC tabs to all provincial regions.”
This water quality information service using a smart phone application was initiated by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning so as to ensure the safety of natural spring water.
 
Article 3.Loan Repayment Tops New Year’s Wishes of Gyeonggi Residents (0114-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Many households in Gyeonggi Province are burdened by debts. Loan repayment is the most pressing issue of the year for provincial residents according to a survey by the Gyeonggi Research Institute.
[Report]
These findings were revealed in a New Year’s wish survey of 1,000 Gyeonggi residents.
▶Yoo Myeong-suk / Gwanyang-dong, Anyang
“It seems a great many households use bank loans and card loans. I hope that consumption by the public revives and the national economy strengthens.”

▶Jang Min-kuk / Sinchon-dong, Anyang
“As a college student, I hope to get good grades and obtain certifications. I also wish people around me well and hope they have good jobs.”
[CG]Loan repayment ranked first among the New Year’s wishes of Gyeonggi residents, followed by more personal time, finding employment, a stress-free life, and health, in that order.
▶Debt per Person in Gyeonggi Province Greater than National Average
The amount of debt per person in Gyeonggi Province stands at KRW 78 million, much greater than the national average.
▶Top New Year’s Wish: Loan Repayment (30s to 60s), Employment(20s)
Individuals in their thirties to sixties regard loan repayment as the highest priority, while employment is the most pressing issue among those in their twenties.
[CG]Job creation is what most Gyeonggi residents regard as an urgent task of the provincial administration, with public transportation also being seen as a pressing issue.
The Gyeonggi Research Institute went on to propose the establishment of what it suggests as a ‘Happiness Generator’.
▶Yu Yeong-seong / Head of the Research Planning Department, Gyeonggi Research Institute
“The Happiness Generator’s functions would include the provision of programs for leisure, club activities and recharging, as well as financial support for such programs…”
The institute also advised the establishment of a comprehensive knowledge center for transportation improvement and job creation. In addition, it stressed the necessity for preparing the northern regions of the province for the future reunification of the two Koreas.
 
Article 4. Gyeonggi’s Regulatory Reform Expands to Public Service Procedures (0112-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Regulatory reforms geared to balanced regional development have been among the leading political issues of Gyeonggi Province. Such endeavors extend to procedures that affect the lives of residents.
[Report]
One such procedure concerns application for provincial nursing expense support.
▶Nursing Expense Support Card Issuance Procedure
To be eligible for nursing expense support, one must have a support card. However, this card is facility-based; you need a new card if your child moves to a different facility.
▶Individual-based Card to be Introduced
This inconvenience will be resolved by the introduction of individual-based cards. This is an example of public service reform by Gyeonggi Province.
▶Jeong Eun-hui / Parent of Kindergartener
“It was very inconvenient to have to go through the same procedure repeatedly. The new card issuance procedure will be much more convenient and save us a lot of time.”
Another example of inconvenient public service procedures was the expressway toll collection method that only accepted cash or Hi-pass cards.
▶Payment by Credit Cards and Debit Cards Made Possible
However, expressway users without Hi-pass no longer have to have cash ready since they can pay tolls with credit cards or debit cards from this year.
▶Gyeonggi Province Receives Prime Minister’s Award in 2014 Regional Government Assessment
There were 703 public service procedure improvements undertaken by Gyeonggi Province last year, which resulted in the province receiving the Prime Minister’s Award in the 2014 Regional Government Assessment.
▶Kang Hui-jin / Director, Gyeonggi Province Regulatory Reform Division
“We are working hard and will continue to do our utmost to identify regulations and procedures that can be improved to avoid unnecessary inconveniences for enterprises as well as for the lives of residents.”
Unlike regulatory reform, which often requires complex legislation procedures, public service reforms are simpler and produce immediate effects.
 
Article 5.Gyeonggi Listens to Public Opinion on New Provincial Government Complex Construction (0113-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province is gathering public opinion on the construction of the new provincial government complex planned for Gwanggyo (광교) New Town of Suwon City. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
It is early in the morning. A group of professionals in culture and the art shave gathered around a table at a café. They are discussing the construction of the new Gyeonggi provincial government complex. Ideas are proposed and opinions are suggested as to what must be considered in the construction.
▶Informal Meetings at 20 Locations Organized for One Week by Gyeonggi Province
This is one of the informal meetings that Gyeonggi Province organized over a one-week period at 20 locations to gather public opinion about the project.
▶Han Yeong-suk / Seongnam Citizens Cultural Planning Group Leader
“I think it is a positive move to try to make it closer to the public. I look forward to seeing the results … I think it should be created as a space in which we can be an active part.”

▶Public Opinion Collection Boxes Installed at Local Government Buildings
For the same purpose, public opinion collection boxes were installed in local government buildings of all 31 cities and counties of the province last month. More than 1,200 responses have been gathered.
▶Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center (January 12)
New Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex Construction Public Forum
A public forum for detailed discussions of proposed ideas was also organized by Gyeonggi Province. During the forum, experts from various fields presented their own blueprints and residents expressed opinions and concerns.
▶[Soundbite] Park Gyeong-hui / Iui-dong, Suwon
“It shouldn’t only be the place where officials work but a place for residents as well. That should be seriously considered…”

▶Concept for New Gyeonggi Government Complex to be Finalized by February
Based on the public ideas collected, Gyeonggi Province plans to finalize the concept for the construction of the new provincial government complex by the end of February.
▶Kim Nam-geun / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province New Provincial Government Complex Project Team
“We are developing the project in terms of a human-orientated government complex, instead of building-orientated one. We will construct a complex that is innovative and open to the public.”
The final construction project will reflect public opinion, and the resulting provincial government complex will serve as an innovative space for communication with residents.

 
Article 6.Gyeonggi Aids Industries with Equipment Support (0114-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
For small and medium enterprises that face difficulties in product development due to the high cost of necessary equipment, Gyeonggi Province has established a product development center with a large array of equipment.
[Report]
Product development is one of the major challenges faced by smaller enterprises.
▶2012 KITA Survey of Small & Medium Industry
49.6% Abandon Business Projects Due to Lack of R&D Resources
According to a survey, half of smaller enterprises in Korea are forced to abandon business projects due to lack of R&D resources.
▶G-Product Development Center Offers Use of R&D Equipment
In 2010, the Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center opened the G-Product Development Center with state-of-the-art equipment ranging from 3-D printers to measurement and control equipment as well as product photo studios. Private enterprises can significantly reduce R&D expenditures by using these facilities that are offered at low fees.
▶Kim Yong-in / CEO, JS Tech
“It is almost impossible for small enterprises to purchase or gain access to expensive equipment. However, we can use a variety of equipment readily available here and…”

▶Comprehensive Support for Whole Product development Processes
This center provides comprehensive support services covering the entire product development process including product design, prototype production and promotion. Businesses in the early stages of this process can greatly benefit from such services.
▶Supported 574 Enterprises in 4,610 Development cases
This center helped nearly six hundred enterprises in more than 4,000 technical development cases last year alone.
▶Lee Gi-hyeong / Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center Growth Support Team Leader
“There are several institutes that offer the use of 3-D printers for prototype production. Our services, however, also cover subsequent processes such as actual trial production, measurements and the production of promotional photographs.”

▶Applications for Use of Center Facilities
G-Product Development Center Home Page (www.gds.or.kr)
Any small or medium-sized enterprise in Gyeonggi Province may apply to use this center.
▶Applications for Usage Fee Support
Small & Medium Business Administration Home Page (www.smtech.go.kr)
Usage fee support can also be secured via the homepage of the Small and Medium Business Administration.
Creative ideas with business potential can now be realized at low costs by utilizing the services of the G-Product Development Center of Gyeonggi Province.
Article 7.Core Policies of 6th Gyeonggi Administration Announced (0112-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On January 6, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil announced the core policies of the sixth administration of the province, which include the development of the northern regions, the expansion of political coalition, and the inducement of Chinese investment. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
The northern regions of Gyeonggi Province are relatively underdeveloped compared to their southern counterparts
[CG]These regions include 10 out of the 31 cities and counties of the province.
▶Top Priority on Northern Regional Development
Governor Nam announced the development of the northern regions in preparation for future national reunification asa provincial policy of top priority.
▶Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center (January 6)
Gyeonggi Provincial Officials Meeting on Provincial Core Policies
For northern regional development, Governor Nam suggested a number of projects including the DMZ Peace Park, a design village and a textile and furniture cluster.
▶Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“It is the most important Gyeonggi Provincial Government’s policy to establish economic and business infrastructure in the northern regions in preparation for the future of a unified Korea.”

▶Expansion of Political Coalition
The current political coalition policy will be expanded in stages with this year’s expansion aimed at coalition in budget ution and education administration.
▶Introduction of Urban Development Projects in China
For the expansion of economic opportunities, Governor Nam plans to introduce urban development projects in China through the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation.
▶Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“I am working on the development of new towns that can become growth engines in China using Chinese and Middle Eastern capital.”
Governor Nam also plans to induce foreign investment for the development of former US military locations in Gyeonggi Province.
▶Establishment of i-Bank for Economic Minorities
Another economic policy announced was the establishment of an internet-based bank, tentatively titled ‘i-Bank’, for economically underprivileged individuals.
▶Introduction of Audition-type Youth Business Startup Support and G-Superman Funds
The employment policies announced at the meeting include the introduction of an audition-type business startup support program for youths and G-Superman Funds for the financial support of business startups. Governor Nam also promised the continuation of the Warm-and-blessed Community and Safe Gyeonggi projects.
▶GTV Reporter Choi Ji-hyeon
“Governor Nam has proposed a number of specific projects and plans to place these projects on stable foundations this year. This is Choi Ji-hyeon, Gyeonggi GTV.”