Article 1.Year of the Sheep Special Exhibition Held at Gyeonggi Museum (0105-4)
[Anchor’s Headline]
This year, 2015, is the Year of the Sheep. Sheep are generally associated with benevolence and resilience in the Orient. To commemorate the year of this peaceful animal, a Gyeonggi museum opened a special exhibition.
[Report]
▶[Screen Top]Stone Relief of Sheep-headed Warrior at Tomb of General Kim Yu-sin of Silla Dynasty
In the tomb of Kim Yu-sin (김유신), a heroiceneral of the 7th Century Silla (신라) Dynasty, a stone relief of a sheep-headed warrior can be seen. It is thought to symbolize the peace-loving nature of the general.
▶Symbol of Innocence and Docility in Europe
In Western cultures, sheep usually represent innocence, docility and vulnerability; this is not much different from the Orient.
▶Sheep Represent Kindness, Integrity and Righteousness in Korea
A Korean proverb says that those born in the year of the sheep cannot become rich. That is because they are too kindhearted.
▶Gyeonggi Provincial Museum
Special Year-of-the-Sheep Exhibition (until December 18)
This exhibition is currently being held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum. The museum also offers winter vacation programs for children using sheep as a theme.
During a science class, children observe wool strands and compare them with human hair using microscopes while learning about the uses of wool. During the postcard-writing session, children made New Year’s wishes for their friends and relatives.
▶Kim Jeong-eun / 1st Grade, Eojeong Middle School, Yongin
“I wrote to my friends wishing that we all have a wonderful year together and get better school grades.”

▶Lee Seong-jun / Curator, Gyeonggi Provincial Museum
“We organized this exhibition to commemorate the Year of the Sheep and to wish a peaceful year to all provincial residents.”
This exhibition, which showcases everything about sheep, will run throughout the year in tandem with associated programs until December 18.
 
Article 2.Double-decker Bus Receives Positive User Responses (0106-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The 3-week trial operations of a double-decker bus in Gyeonggi Province ended with positive results. The trial operations were part of Gyeonggi Province’s preliminary study of the use of double-decker buses on inter-city routes.
[Report]
During the trial period, double-decker buses ran on three routes in the province for one week each.
▶276 Passengers Used per Day
During this period, 276 passengers used the bus on average daily –including 61 persons during the morning and 68 persons during the evening commuting hours – showing an almost full usage rate even disregarding the onboard inspectors.
▶Kim Jeom-suk / Passenger, Hwaseo-dong, Suwon
“It gives us a much wider view, which is wonderful.”

▶Lee Hyeon-jae / Passenger, Maetan-dong, Suwon
“This bus is as comfortable as single-decker buses, so there should be no problem with their widespread use.”
[CG]A survey of passengers during the trial operations revealed that 71 percent were satisfied with the service of the double-decker bus and 89 percent were in favor of its extensive introduction.
▶Boarding/Alighting Took3.42 Seconds (7%)Longer than Single-Decker
The fact that the stop time for boarding and alighting took 3.42 seconds or 7 percent longer than ordinary single-decker buses was generally deemed inconsequential.
▶Measures to be Taken to Address Safety Issues
To address public safety concerns pertaining to the staircase and vehicle height, Gyeonggi Province plans to take necessary measures.
▶Park Rae-hyeok / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Good Morning Bus Team
“If the final provincial decision is made in favor of extensive introduction, a detailed plan including the vehicle model and applied routes will be announced in March so as to enable residents to start using the double-decker buses as early as possible.”
The final results of the double-decker bus assessment, based on data collected via questionnaires, social networking services and a survey by the Gyeonggi Research Institute, will be announced this month.
 
Article 3.Sales by Gyeonggi Local Farmers’ Markets Soar (0107-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Local farmers’ markets first appeared in Korea in 2008as a means of protecting farmers’ interests through direct sales to consumers. These markets are realizing great successes in Gyeonggi Province with their sales increasing more than four-fold in a year. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
▶Hwaseong Local Farmers’ Market
At this farmer’s market in Hwaseong (화성) City of Gyeonggi Province, farmers bring in fresh vegetables directly from their farms.
▶Safety Inspections to Restrict Residual Agricultural Chemicals
All vegetables that arrive are subject to safety inspections. Barcodes are printed out only for those products that pass the tests for fifty different types of residual agricultural chemicals before they are permitted to enter the retail area. Pricing, packaging and even the arrangement of the products on the shelves are performed by the farmers themselves.
▶Park Gil-won / Shopper, Gian-dong, Hwaseong
“I can trust these products. They even carry the names of the farmers, so I can pick products from trusted farmers later.”
Since its opening in April last year, this market has achieved sales of more than twice the expected amount, and there are now plans to open a second location downtown.
▶GTV Reporter Choi Chang-sun
“With freshness and low product prices, the local farmers’ markets are rapidly gaining popularity among consumers, and their number has increased to 15 in Gyeonggi Province.”

▶Sales Increased 4.3 Times Compared to 2013
Total sales of the fifteen local farmers’ markets in Gyeonggi Province in 2014 increased to KRW 21.7 billion, more than four times the sales amount of the preceding year.
▶[PiP]Jeong Ji-yeong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Distribution Policy Team
“We will continue to promote the establishment of local farmers’ markets as well as production facilities so as to ensure stable production and supplies.”
Gyeonggi Province will also provide support for the establishment of greenhouses and storage facilities for the stable year-round supply of agricultural products for both farmers and consumers.
 
Article 4.Large Shopping and Tourism Complex Planned in Pyeongtaek (0105-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province recently announced a project for the establishment of a large shopping and tourism complex in Pyeongtaek (평택) City, a west coast port city, with the aim of accommodating the rapidly growing number of foreign tourists, especially from China.
[Report]
Last year, Korea received14 million overseas visitors.
▶6 Million Chinese Visited Korea, Spending KRW 10 Trillion in 2014
Of these, 6 million were from China, accounting for nearly half of all foreign visitors. Chinese also proved to be powerful consumers, spending approximately KRW 10 trillion while in Korea.
▶Pyeongtaek to Host Large Shopping & Tourism Complex
Pyeongtaek was chosen to host this complex due to its strategically advantageous location in terms of accommodating visitors arriving from China.
▶Cost: KRW 750 Billion / Area: 2.3 Million m2 / Completion: 2018
This project will cost KRW 750 billion, and construction will be completed in 2018on a site of 2.3 million square meters.
[PiP-map]Tentatively titled “China Castle”, this area will become a self-sustainable miniature city complete with shopping malls, accommodations, and medical and entertainment facilities as well as an international school.
▶Park Jong-geun / Development Team Leader, Yellow Sea Free Economic Zone
“The construction of this comprehensive tourism complex, which is comparable to Hong Kong and Macao, will contribute to the local economy and job creation through the inducement of the ever-growing number of Chinese tourists.”

▶Korea’s First Tourism Complex Targeting Chinese Tourists
The announcement of the project followed receipt of approval for its final development plan from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy this past December 19. This ambitious project is the first of its kind in Korea to specifically target Chinese visitors.

 
Article 5.Tangible Results Realized by Gyeonggi Export Enterprise Association (0106-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Export Enterprise Association, established by small and medium exporting enterprises in 2009, has proven to be an effective aid for affiliated enterprises in the launch of their products in international markets.
[Report]
▶Cotton Candy Manufacturer, Anseong
Being a small social enterprise, overseas market entry had been beyond the ability of this cotton candy company in Anseong (안성) City of Gyeonggi Province…until recently.
▶USD 500,000 Order Secured from China after Joining GEEA
As soon as the company joined the association, it was able to connect with a Chinese buyer for a half-million-US-dollar order, making it the first social enterprise in Gyeonggi Province to realize exports.
▶Lee Jong-gyu / CEO, Hyundai FNB
“I became confident that we could sell our product overseas if we simply met international standards, and became aware that we can connect with overseas buyers through information sharing…”

▶Overseas Market Development through Joint Efforts
The members of the Gyeonggi Export Enterprise Association pursue exports through joint efforts that include education and strategy development as well as participation in international trade exhibitions. Inexperienced enterprises can also benefit from information shared by forerunners.
[CG]There are three regional export enterprise associations established to date in Gyeonggi Province, with seven more slated to open this year.
▶Kim Doo-myeong / Executive Secretary, Gyeonggi Export Enterprise Association
“Most small and medium enterprises have limited international market development capabilities. The role of the association is to help them expand their market bases through export capability improvement and opportunity development…”

▶GTV Reporter, Lee Tae-hui
“The export enterprise associations are expected to play an important role in promoting the exports of small and medium enterprises regardless of their international business experience.”
 
Article 6.Gyeonggi Enacts Art District Development Support Ordinance (0108-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
For the first time in Korea, an ordinance for art district development support was enacted and announced in Gyeonggi Province on January 5. Its aim is to support artistic activities in designated areas and to transform rundown city corners into lively artistic cultural districts.
[Report]
▶Former Redevelopment Zone in Seongnam
The targeted districts will be selected from among dilapidated urban districts, mostly old downtown areas for which redevelopment zone designation has been revoked, such as this area in Seongnam (성남) City.
▶Public Art Creation District Support Ordinance of Gyeonggi Province
Officially titled “Public Art Creation District Support Ordinance”, this legislation aims to induce artistic activities to the designated districts and revive the vitality of declining urban areas.
▶Lee Hyo-hyeong / Member of Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly
“Any community fixtures can be used as canvases: walls, electric poles, doors, and so on. I thought it might be wonderful to start a day walking through art.”

▶Haenggund-dong, Suwon
Haenggung-dong (행궁동) of Suwon (수원) City is an example of such an art district, except that it was developed spontaneously.
▶Gyeonggi Province to Provide Accommodation and Financial Support
In order to provide artists with stable working environments in the designated areas, Gyeonggi Province plans to provide them with spaces for accommodations and even financial support for artistic activities. City and county governments that engage in the development of art districts will be provided with provincial subsidies. This ordinance is also expected to help residents recover their property values.
 
Article 7.Personnel Innovation Meeting Held in Gyeonggi Province (0108-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On January 7, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil convened a meeting to discuss the reformation of the provincial administration’s personnel tem. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
▶Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex, Suwon (January 7)
“100-Minute Personnel System Innovation Meeting”
Governor Nam invited provincial officials, labor union representatives, and specialists from outside to the meeting. Before discussions, Governor Nam stated that he will establish new personnel management principles that will eradicate irrational customary practices and allow capable officials to be justifiably recognized.
▶Go Sang-beom / Gyeonggi Province Labor Union Leader
“We consider it a positive movement. I hope that it does not end as an idea but is actually implemented so as to realize fairness of personnel management in which good workers are recognized.”

▶Gyeonggi Small &Medium Business Center (January 6)
Gyeonggi Province Senior Officials’ Political Meeting
On the previous day, Governor Nam presided at the Senior Officials’ Political Meeting in which he disclosed his personal e-mail address and invited opinions on personnel management.
▶Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“We need a fair and transparent personnel management tem. I have listened to opinions from different ranks and functions on which future personnel management principles will be based.”
Governor Nam stated that the new personnel management principles will be based on the outcomes of the meetings, and promised to realize the new tem within his term in office.