Article 1. Free Postcard Service for New Address System Promotion (0512-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Last year, Gyeonggi Province opened a special website to promote use of the new street number-based address tem that went into to effect nationally this past January 1st.From May 1st, this website began a free postcard mailing service. This service is available online to all provincial residents who use the new address tem for their postcards.
[Report]
Yang Chang-mo / Free Postcard Mailing Service User
On May 15th, Teacher’s Day in Korea, Yang decided to send a thank-you card to his former teacher.
Using his smart phone instead of a pen, he wrote a message and selected a card through thefree postcard mailing service website of Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview] Yang Chang-mo / Minlak-dong, Uijeongbu City
“Instead of using an online messenger or a text message service, I chose to send a postcard. I believe my teacher will appreciate it more when he receives the message by mail.”
Gyeonggi Opens Free Postcard Mailing Service Event in Family Month
This service began in May, Family Month, in which Children’s Day, Parents’ Day and Teacher’s Day fall; it will run until the end of June.
All Gyeonggi Province residents may use the service to express their appreciation and affection to loved ones and friends free of charge.
Street Number-based Address Promotion Campaign
Designed as a promotional campaign for the new street number-based address tem, this service can be used only when users specify addresses using the new address tem.
[Interview] Seo Jong-hwan / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province New Address Team
“The requested postcards are delivered by post offices within two days. We hope that this campaign will speed up adoption of the new address tem…”
Gyeonggi Province New Address System Promotion Website: http://juso.gg.go.kr
This service can be accessed online via the Gyeonggi Province Street Number-based Address System Promotion website. Through this website, users can write messages, select postcards, and even use their own photos on the front page of postcards.
Gyeonggi Province then prints out the postcards with the messages as requested and delivers them through post offices in the same manner as ordinary mail.
 
Article 2. Gyeonggi Issues Farm Machine Safety Alert (0513-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On May 5th, the Gyeonggi Province Fire Service issued a farm machine safety alert. It was timed with the heavy usage of farm machines since, at this time of year, agricultural activities including rice farming are most intensive, and many farm machine-related accidents occur.
[Report]
May is also the rice-planting season, which heralds the beginning of farm work for the year.
Farm Machine Accidents Concentrate in Busy Farming Period
During this busy season, many farm machines are brought to fields for plowing, sewing and planting. Inevitably, this causes a surge in the number of accidents.
Some farmers are injured while operating machines, and others while driving them.
[CG]
In Gyeonggi Province, more than 30 percent of farm machine-related accidents occur during May and June.
Most Accidents Stem from Lack of Safety Awareness
Most accidents are caused by a lack of safety awareness among farmers, such as those who fail to use safety equipment, ignore safety procedures, or use machines while intoxicated.
It is also very important to check and maintain the machines regularly to ensure safe operation.
Machines that use roads for transit must be equipped with working turn signals and reflection plates.
[Interview] Kim Seok-jong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Food Output Control Team
“As with vehicles, farm machines must not be operated while intoxicated. Drunk driving is a serious criminal act with farm machines as well, and can jeopardize the life of the driver as well as the lives of of others.”
Gyeonggi Launches Safety Campaign and Free Repair Service
In addition to the farm machine safety alert, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government also offers various support programs including a free farm machine repair service so as to prevent accidents during the busy farming season.
 
Article 3. Expansion Completed on Notorious National Road 47 (0514-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Namyangju (남양주) section of National Road 47 has been notorious for its persistent traffic congestion for many years. The problem has now been greatly alleviated with the completion of road expansion and a bypass route that added two more lanes in each direction.
[Report]
Imsong Interchange, National Road 47, Namyangju City
From the Imsong (임송) Interchange, a new road branches from National Road 47 toward Jinjeop (진접).
It is a bypass road that runs parallelto the existing road.
National Road 47 Expansion Work Began in 2005
The expansion ofthe Twegyewon-Jinjeop(퇴계원-진접) section of National Road 47 began in November of 2005 to address the chronic traffic problems faced daily by Namyangju (남양주) residents.
[CG]
Along an11-kilometersection, the Twegyewon-Imsong (퇴계원-임송)segment was first expanded to four lanes in both directions in 2011.
The Imsong-Yeonpyeong (임송-연평) bypass route was then completed on April 30th.
The remaining segment is slated for completion by the end of 2015.
110,000 Vehicles Use Twegyewon-Jinjeop Section Daily
This section of National Road 47 is currently used by more than 110,000 vehicles daily, far more than the allowable maximum of 50,000 vehicles.
GTV Reporter Lee Tae-hui
“With the completion of a four-lane bypass route, the travel time between Twegyewon and Jinjeophas now been shortened by more than ten minutes.”
Vehicles on the parallel routes travel much faster as traffic is dispersed between two separate routes.
[Interview] Jang Moon-ho / Onam-eup, Namyangju City
“I use this road for commuting. It was frequently congested, but now it is much better. My travel time has become much shorter now.”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to complete the remaining work as early as possible so as to ease traffic inconvenience in this region.
[Interview] Ahn Jae-yeong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Road Policy Team
“There are more than 100,000residents living in Twegyewon, Onam and Jinjeop. With the opening of the bypass route, local residents in these areas will experience greatly improved traffic conditions.”
When work on the remaining segment of National Road 47 is completed, the infamous traffic problem of this region will become a thing of the past.
 
Article 4. Gyeonggi Institute Begins Turf Development for Schools (0512-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A Gyeonggi provincial institute has begun developing new grass breeds for school grounds. Most school grounds in Gyeonggi Province are still bare since it is too costly to lay natural turf and the available grass breeds are not suitable for Korean weather.
[Report]
At this primary school in Gyeonggi Province, children playing on the bare ground look to be at risk when they engage in rambunctious actions as children often do.
Only 1.9% of Gyeonggi Schools Have Natural Turf
Of 2,232 primary, middle and high schools in Gyeonggi Province, only 42 have grounds with natural turfs, accounting for less than 2 percent.
GARES Develops Turf for School Grounds
The development of new turf breeds is currently underway at the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services.
GTV Reporter Choi Chang-soon
“This grass is a warm weather-type that is used for 90 percent of turf-laid school grounds. It grows well but does not tolerate frequent treading and has a long dry period.”
On the other hand, cold weather-type grass breeds that are used for sports grounds and golf courses have short dry periods, but they require constant care and costly maintenance.
The institute, therefore, hopes to develop breeds that feature the strengths of both types and that are also easy to maintain.
From among thirty-six grass species currently being tested, superior species will be used for crossbreeding to create new breeds that have high resilience and remain green for longer periods.
At the same time, the institute is also performing studies on ideal planting methods and soil compositions for new breeds.
[Interview] So Ho-seop / Researcher, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
“We are trying to develop grass breeds that are suitable for Korean weather, highly resilient, and economical to maintain so as to provide students and residents with pleasant environments.”
The institute plans to publish turf management manuals and distribute them to schools within this year.
New grass breeds will be supplied first to primary schools as soon as successful development is achieved.
 
Article 5. Parents Join in Childcare Home Inspections (0513-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Last year, childcare home monitoring by parents was introduced in Gyeonggi Province and received positive responses from parents. This year, the provincial government plans to increase the number of childcare homes subject to monitoring by parents to 9,000.
[Report]
BurimMunicipal Childcare Home, Gwacheon City
At this childcare home in Gwacheon (과천) City, a team of monitors arrives.
Consisting of a childcare specialist and the parent of a child who attends a childcare home, this team closely in spectsfacility operation sand staff qualifications.
They then perform visual inspections of every section of the childcare home, including the nursing room and kitchen, to identify any environmental hazards and dangerous elements that may exist.
[Interview] Choi Mi-seon / Parental Member of Childcare Home Monitoring Team
“As a parent, I think that the safety of our children and the food that our children eat are most important. By participating in the inspections as a monitor, I feel reassured.”
Parental participation in childcare home monitoring has not only received positive responses from parents, but has also been deemed helpful by childcare homes in improving their operations and securing the trust of parents.
[Interview] Lee Mi-hyeon / Director, Burim Municipal Childcare Home
“We took it as an opportunity to transparently disclose our operations. It is a wonderful tem that helps parents to trust us more and us to become prouder of our childcare home.”
70% of Childcare Homesin Gyeonggi Province to Be Monitored by Parents
This year, more than 9,000 childcare homes, many more than last year, will be monitored by two-person teams that each include a parent.
[Interview] Kim Choon-ki / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Childcare Guidance Team
“We will endeavor to create childcare environments to which parents can confidently entrust their children by making improvements through parental participation in inspections and consultations.”
The participation of parents in childcare home monitoring is achieving the dual purpose of gaining parental trust and improving childcare facility environments. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to promote parental participation through annual awards recognizing excellent monitoring efforts.
 
Article 6. Gyeonggi Designates 13 New Cultural Assets (0514-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government recently added thirteen items to its list of cultural assets. These newly designated Provincial Cultural Assets include the Janggyeong (장경) Temple bell in Namhansanseong (남한산성) Fortress.
[Report]
The Janggyeong (장경) Temple bell was moved to Seoul in 1899 so as to prevent its destruction by Japanese forces. After an absence of more than a century, the bell was recently returned to its original site.
Janggyeong Temple Bell Designated As Tangible Cultural Heritage
This bell was included among the new Provincial Tangible Cultural Assets for its excellent state of preservation and artistic details.
The bell is also deemed to enhance the value of Namhansanseong (남한산성) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for which registration is expected to be announced next month.
13 New Provincial Cultural Assets
The designation of the new cultural as sets was recently finalized after review by the Provincial Cultural Heritage Committee.
Portrait of Lee Sang
A portrait of Lee Sang, a patriotic minister during the Japanese invasion of the late 16th century, was also included among the new Provincial Cultural Assets.
[Interview] Lee Se-na / Research Official, AnsanCity Culture and Arts Division
“There are few portraits of ministers remaining from that time. This portrait has an important historical value because it is a rare portrait and a unique one of Lee Sang.”
Map of Bugye
A map of Bugye (부계) drawn by a high official of Ansan (안산) City in 1900 is also one of the newly designated cultural assets.
Identifying the locations of tombs and the names of land owners, this map is valued as an important resource for the study of old Ansan (안산) City, which was the first planned city to be built in Korea.
Eight Scenic Place Paintings of Bugye
Paintings of the eight scenic places of Bugye (부계) with nature-praising poems were also considered worthy of cultural asset designation.
[Interview] Kim Seon-mi / Research Official, Gyeonggi Province Cultural Heritage Division
“There are more than 20 tangible and intangible cultural assets that are designated this year. Such designation provides the cultural assets and the associated stories with exposure…”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government also plans to recommend that the Korean government designate five cultural relics, including calligraphy of King Jeongjo (정조) of the Choseon (조선) Dynasty, as National Cultural Assets.
 
Article 7. Volvo Trucks Opens Delivery Center at Pyeongtaek Port (0515-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
One of world’s largest truck manufacturers, Volvo Trucks, opened a multifunctional delivery center in the auxiliary complex at Pyeongtaek (평택) Port of Gyeonggi Province. Entitled Volvo Trucks Comprehensive Delivery Center, these private facilities will constitute an important part of this, the largest automobile export channel in Korea.
[Report]
Comprehensive Delivery Center Opening Ceremony / Pyeongtaek Port (May 13th)
Incorporating both technical and logistic facilities in a 10,500-square meter area, the Volvo center represents a new concept in business models.
▶One-stop Processing of Technical, Logistic, and Education Services / ▶Positive Effects on Local Economy
The Volvo Trucks center will house comprehensive facilities for assembly, inspection, open-air storage, ex-warehouse delivery, and education for its clients in the Asian region, as well as rest areas.
[Interview] Kim Yeong-jae / President, Volvo Trucks Korea Ltd.
“We have medium and long-term plans covering 15 years, during which we will maximize use of these facilities. Our business plans and marketing activities are based on these plans.”
Pyeongtaek to Become a Major International Automobile Shipping Port
The Volvo center is expected to play an important role in establishing Pyeongtaek (평택) Port as a major international automobile shipping port.
[Soundbite] Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Nam Choong-hee
“The establishment of Volvo Trucks comprehensive delivery center at our Pyeongtaek Port, which is in a strategic location in Korea, will become a milestone in the development of the port…”
Over the past four consecutive years, Pyeongtaek (평택) Port has been the port through which the largest number of automobiles were traded annually in and out of Korea.
More than ten million automobiles have passed through the port to date.
Currently, there are thirteen logistics enterprises operating in its auxiliary complex to support exports and imports.
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government will continue to develop the Pyeongtaek (평택) Port area by further promoting automotive trade as well as tourism and leisure sports in and around the region.