Article 1. Runny Nose Alert in Gyeonggi Province (1124-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health & Environment recently announced that the prevalence of coryza, or runny noses, caused by rhinoviruses has increased by more than 60 percent in Gyeonggi Province compared to the same period last year.
[Report]
Park In-sun (박인순)has been suffering from a runny nose that prevented him from engaging in normal daily life even at work.
[Interview]Park In-sun, Coryza Patient
“I have a constantly blocked nose from the time I wake up in the morning. My throat also felt swollen. It’s been for about a week.”
Recently, doctors are seeing an increasing number of patients like Park with runny noses.
[Interview]No Jun-seung / Professor, Family Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea
“There are an increasing number of common cold patients, especially those with runny noses. Rhinoviruses are the suspected cause.”
Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health & Environment
Rhinovirus-caused Coryza Cases Increased by 60% This Year
According to the institute, rhinoviruses usually cause runny or blocked noses in adults.
However, they can lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis, especially in young children.
The latent period after the infection ranges from two to five days.
Since the period of immunity after recovery from a rhinovirus infection is very short, one must take care not to contract the disease again.
[Interview]Park Po-hyeon / Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health & Environment Virus Team Leader
“It is an influenza virus that becomes active at this time of year. However, we have many rhinovirus cases instead of influenza this year.”
Since rhinoviruses are transmitted from person to person through the air or by touch, it is important to keep one’s hands clean and avoid crowded places.
Exposure to cold makes the body more susceptible to catching a cold. Therefore, it is also helpful to maintain a warm body temperature by covering the head and neck.
 
Article 2. Youth Business Dreams Contest Held in Gyeonggi Province (1125-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center organized a special event for aspiring entrepreneurs so as to promote the establishment of new businesses by youths.
During this two-day event, youths with new business ideas competed, and were inspired by the success stories of their predecessors.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center (November 21 and 24)
The 1st Youth Business Dreams League
During the contest, Oh Nam-yeong (오남영) presented a paper toy that she developed herself after unsuccessfully searching for safe toys for her children.
She described how three-dimensional shapes can be created with flat paper pieces.
After her five-minute presentation, her score was marked by a panel of judges and announced on the spot.
[Interview]Oh Nam-yerong / Founder of Mary’s Lab
“I hope that our product becomes known to many children through this event. I also hope that it will help children develop attention skills and stay away from smart phones…”
Meetings with Potential Investors
After the presentations and contest, a meeting session was organized to help aspiring entrepreneurs connect with potential investors.
Exhibition of Products Developed with Provincial Support
There was an exhibition corner featuring many interesting products developed with support from Gyeonggi Province, such as a bottle opener that can be used by seniors and children with limited muscle power, and a washable mobile phone case.
[Interview]Yoo Yeong-hun / Founder of Poose Ltd.
“Marketing is very important for new businesses. Support from GSBC was a great help for my business.”
There were also presentations of success stories by the CEOs of newly established enterprises.
[Soundbite]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“Investors say that they invest in individuals. So if you work hard to reach your goals with confidence, and with our support, opportunities will open up for you.
Marking its first occasion this year, this event with comprehensive programs, entitled Youth Business Dreams League, was both informative and inspiring to hopeful young entrepreneurs.
 
Article 3. Gyeonggi Province to Develop Tourism in Northern Regions (1126-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government announced that it will intensify promotion of tourism in its northern regions, utilizing their pristine environments, as an alternative solution to development limitations due to regulations.
[Report]
Sanmeoru Village, Paju
This village in Paju (파주) City is one of the areas in northern Gyeonggi Province in which economic development is restricted by a range of regulations.
Villagers found an alternative way to improve their economic situation through the utilization of wild grapes that are abundant in the area.
More than 50,000 Tourists, 70% from China and Taiwan, Visit Annually
They developed wine and jam products as well as related tourist programs. This village now has more than fifty thousand visitors a year.
[Interview]Chao Yin Sin / Chinese Tourist
“I discovered Korea has abundant cultural resources for travelers to enjoy. I will recommend such travel Korean culture (when I return home.)”
Gapyeong Pine Nut Scented Blue Forest
Gapyeong (가평) County has developed experiential tour contents utilizing nature as it is.
Its Pine Nut Scented Blue Forest Park, with forty-six thousand pine nut trees over 20meters high, opened last month and offers phytoncide-rich trails as well as six experiential programs including woodworking.
The park expects to receive sixty thousand visitors annually.
Gyeonggi Province to Maximize Utilization of Natural Resources in Northern Regions
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to maximize utilization of natural resources in its northern regions for tourism development.
[Interview]Lee Jae-yeong / Director, Gyeonggi Province Tourism Division
“We will develop tourism contents including thematic tour programs in northern regions utilizing their natural environments and ecological characteristics, and establish more accommodation and camping facilities.”
Such endeavors have already begun to produce results, such as the Demilitarized Zone and winery experiential programs of Paju (파주), the international jazz festival of Gapyeong (가평), and the riverside automobile camping facilities in Yeoncheon (연천).
The northern regions of Gyeonggi Province are emerging as new tourism hotspots.
 
Article 4. Two Gyeonggi Industrial Sites Receive Korean Governmental Support (1124-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Two industrial projects of Gyeonggi Province were selected for support by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy through an invitation of applications for Specialized Root Industry Complex Project Support.
[Report]
Two Gyeonggi Province Specialized Root Industry Complexes
The invitation was announced by the ministry last year to support basic, or ‘root’, industries since they are essential for other industries.
Gyeonggi Province presented applications for two support projects, and both qualified successfully in the final selection.
KRW 150 Million Support Awarded for Banwol Plating Business Cooperative
KRW 1.18 Billion Support Awarded for Smart Hub P&P Industrial Complex
The two industrial sites awarded support are the Banwol(반월) Plating Business Cooperative and the Smart Hub P&P Industrial Complex, both located in Ansan (안산) City.
The support funds will be utilized for the improvement of waste disposal tems and work environments.
Gyeonggi Province Provided Project Support Targeted for Ministry Support
These ministry support grants are the result of project support undertaken by Gyeonggi Province specifically targeting such support.
Gyeonggi Province Plans to Provide Annual Support of KRW 600 Million
For Industrial Sites Not Awarded Ministry Support
Other root industry sites not awarded ministry support will be provided with annual support of KRW 600 million by Gyeonggi Province. Root industries are basic industries such as die casting, welding and plating that are necessary for manufacturing industries.
Competitiveness of Root Industries of Gyeonggi Province to Increase
Through Ministry Support
With the provision of ministry support, Gyeonggi Province will have a stronger industrial foundation with more competitive root industries. 
Article 5. ‘New Knowledge Farmer’ Product Fair (1125-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Farmers who generate new added value using innovative techniques were designated‘ New Knowledge Farmers’ by a Korean ministry. Gyeonggi Province has begun supporting these New Knowledge Farmers in their product distribution.
[Report]
Susan-ri, Namyangju
Park Dong-jun (박동준) grows ginseng on mountain slopes using his own technique.
Joboksam – Mountain-Grown Ginseng Using Seeds Eaten and Excreted by Birds
He calls his ginseng “joboksam (조복삼)”, or ‘ginseng eaten by birds’, because his ginseng is grown from seeds that were first fed to pheasants and later excreted by the birds.
Joboksam Is More Resilient and Effective than Ordinary Ginseng
Ginseng grown this way is known to be more resilient and have stronger medicinal effects than ordinary ginseng.
He received‘ New Knowledge Farmer’ designation from a Korean ministry for his technique.
[Interview]Park Dong-jun / New Knowledge Farmer, Ginseng Farmer
“I first started to study with the aim of finding a way in which to increase the harvest of mountain-grown ginseng. I think farmers must also have innovative mindsets for the future…”
Yangjae Hanaro Club, Seoul (November 24-30)
Good Products from New Knowledge Farmers Exhibition
Gyeonggi Province organized an agricultural product fair so as to help New Knowledge Farmers sell their products.
GTV Reporter Lee Tae-hui
“For the first time in Korea, consumers can find in one place excellent agricultural products produced by New Knowledge Farmers around the country.”
Gyeonggi Province Eco-friendly Agricultural Product Distribution Center
Serves As Unified Distribution Channel for Products of New Knowledge Farmers
This event could be realized since the Eco-friendly Agricultural Product Distribution Center of Gyeonggi Province serves as a unified distribution center for products of the New Knowledge Farmers of the nation.
More than two hundred products from thirty-two New Knowledge Farmers from around the nation were introduced at the fair.
[Interview]Song Tae-seong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Eco-friendly Agricultural Products Center Team
“There are 450 New Knowledge Farmers in Korea. By dealing with their products, we help them promote their good products while increasing the performance of the center.”
Based on the results of this fair, Gyeonggi Province plans to develop domestic and international marketing support programs for the products of New Knowledge Farmers.
 
Article 6. Mass Production Technology Development for Graphene Receives Green Light (1126-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A mass production technology development study for a new material, graphene, initiated by a Gyeonggi institute was selected as a ‘Core Convergence Technology Development Subject for Support’ by the related Korean ministry.
[Report]
Graphene – Nano Material with Carbon Layers of1-Atom Thickness
Graphene is a hundred times stronger than steel and has a conductivity that is higher than copper, and yet it is transparent and flexible.
It is a next-generation material with unlimited usage potential. However, there is still no technology available for its mass production.
Commercial Use of Graphene Limited by Lack of Mass Production Technology
The Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion has pursued the development of technology for the mass production of high-quality graphene with all its inherent physical properties.
Targeted Technology Uses Dynamic Exfoliation from Graphite
The current targeted technology is based on a non-oxidation method for the dynamic exfoliation of graphene layers directly from graphite for the best preservation of its physical characteristics.
[PiP-Interview]Kim Tae-yeong / Professor, Bio/Nano Science Department, Gachon University
“This technology is expected to help realize the commercialization and utilization of graphene as a material for transparent and flexible electronic parts as well as for energy storing devices such as batteries and super capacitors.”
Study Initiated by Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion
Now Selected as a Subject for Korean Government Support
The study for this technology development was originally initiated by the institute as a joint study with industry and academia.
This study has now been granted a 3-year national subsidy of KRW 600 million.
[Interview]Lim Chang-gyu / I.A.R Cooperation Team Leader, GSTEP
“A knowledge cluster will be established in joint graphene production technology development by industry, academia and research institutes in Gyeonggi Province. The result will be the creation of R&D foundation unique in Gyeonggi Province.”
The realization of the mass production of non-defect graphene is also expected to lead to the development of high-performance flexible displays for a wide range of applications.
 
Article 7. Gyeonggi Province Proposes Revision of Treasury Grant Law (1126-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Recently, the Korean government gave pre-legislation notification for the amendment of the Treasury Grant Law. Finding the amendment contained clauses unfavorable to local governments, the provincial and local governments of Gyeonggi Province decided to protest the amendment and issue their own proposal.
[Report]
Pre-legislation Notification by Korean Government for Treasury Grant Law Amendment
Treasury grants, or local revenue-sharing, are financial contributions to local governments from the national treasury for the equalization of regional finances. It is the grant calculation method specified in the amendment draft that has become an issue since it fails to account for actual situations.
Gyeonggi Province Insists Population-based Calculation
Instead of Calculation Based on Number of Public Officials
The new calculation method proposed by the central government is based on the number of public officials instead of the previous population-based calculation.
Since there are fewer public officials relative to residents in Gyeonggi Province than in other local autonomies, Gyeonggi Province faces a serious disadvantage.
Considering the continuously increasing population, treasury grants may even be less than the previous levels.
[Interview]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“The local governments of Gyeonggi Province are in serious financial difficulties. The new treasury grant calculation method will make the situation even worse.”
The merging of preschooler and child welfare expense items also raises concerns because it can mean reduced grant amounts for both items while welfare demand in these sectors is increasing.
Gyeonggi Province and Local Governments Agree to Protest
Notified Treasury Grant Law Amendment Draft
The heads of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and local governments discussed the matter.
Counter Proposal Signed by Heads of Provincial and Local Administrations
They unanimously agreed to take action against the central government’s amendment draft, and co-signed the “Proposal for the Rationalization of the Treasury Grant Law”.
[Soundbite]Suwon City Major Yeom Tae-yeong
“Gyeonggi Province will lose a lot of money due to the Treasury Grant Law amendment. The 31 cities and counties(of the province) agreed to act in unison and signed an agreement to propose to the central government for the rationalization of grants based on actual financial demand…”
The signed proposal was delivered to the Minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs in person by Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil on November 27.