Article 1.Gyeonggi Opinion Poll on Provincial Issues(0113-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
This year marks the beginning of the sixth term of popularly elected local governments in Korea, with the upcoming local elections slated for June 4th.
To determine what provincial issues people want their new provincial administration to address, the Gyeonggi Research Institute conducted a survey.
[Report]
The survey focused on current issues as well as future visions.
1) Lee Hee-seong / Jangjidong, Suwon City
“Transportation is really inconvenient. People commonly spend 1 to 2 hours commuting. I hope that these problems are resolved as soon as possible.”
2) Park Gyeong-hui / Maetan-dong, Suwon City
“I have financial difficulties due to increasing debts. I hope that the business environment improves for those doing business.”
3) Survey of 5,000 Residents on Provincial Issues
Five thousand provincial residents participated in this public opinion survey.
4) Transportation No. 1 Problem
The provincial issues that Gyeonggi residents perceive as being most serious pertain to transportation, housing, business inducement and job creation, in that order.
(CG)
The most compelling issues that the Gyeonggi public wants the new government administration to prioritize are the revival of the real estate market, with a 25.9 percent consent rate, followed by transportation and employment issues.
5) Specialists View Public Sector Reformation as Foremost Issue
However, specialists think that public sector reformation is the foremost issue confronting the Gyeonggi Provincial Government for the effective implementation of policies to address such issues.
6) Lee Sang-Dae / Director, Future Vision Research Center, Gyeonggi Research Institute
“I believe it is most important that reformation be realized in both policy making and implementation as well as in public organizations themselves.”
For future visions of the year 2018, when the sixth-term government administration ends, improved welfare systems are what most Gyeonggi residents expect to see.
 
Article 2.Cremation Leads Funeral Culture in Gyeonggi Province(0114-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Last year, four out of five mourning families in Gyeonggi Province chose cremation as an internment method, signifying a change infuneral culture from conventional burial to cremation.
[Report]
This crematorium in Suwon (수원) City also features funeral plots in which each grave is marked by a memorial tablet.
Occupying approximately the same area as one conventional mound-type grave, each funeral plot can accommodate the remains of 250 deceased individuals.
There are also open funeral plots for those who chose a natural return to the soil.
1) Jeong Chan-san / Cheolsan-dong, Gwangmyeong City
“I believe that cremation is better in the sense that it allows one to return to nature upon internment.”
On average, thirty cremations take place daily at this facility.
2) Han seong-won / Manager, Suwon Crematorium
“Funeral culture is changing these days since more people now find it more convenient and economical to use crematorium and vaults.”
Use of crematoriums increased 1.6 times over the past ten years in Gyeonggi Province.
3) 80% Use Cremation in Gyeonggi Province
In 2012, out of 58,000 individuals who died in Gyeonggi Province, 46,000 were cremated, marking a cremation rate of eighty percent.
This is six percent higher than the national average.
There was a greater preference for cremation among families in larger cities where crematoriums are readily available.
4) Choi Jong-gook / Director, Gyeonggi Province Senior Welfare Division
“We will continue to promote natural interment methods that involve cremation.”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to construct a new crematorium in Hwaseong (화성) City in 2018 that will be able to accommodate the growing demand for cremation from the surrounding districts.
 
Article 3.“My First Concert”by Amateur Music Bands(0115-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On January 11th, the Gyeonggi Arts Center organized an unusual concert featuring twelve music bands consisting of individuals from different walks of life, none of which involve music.
Nevertheless, the performers wereas passionate as professionals.
[Report]
All band membersare amateursfrom different professionsincluding school teachers, police officers and woodworkers.
What they had in common was that their bucket lists included having their own concert.
Neither the primary school teacher in her 20s nor the veterinarian in his 50sever believed that the time would come when they would really perform at their own concert… until they actually formed music bands through the Internet.
1) Amateur Band ‘Slomo’
“While I work, I do things whether I like to do them or not. But I love every moment when I do this. Everyone in our band feels the same, so we decided to do it together.”
One band, titled ‘Manager Lim’s Band’, consists of alumni from the same school, while another, called “Pentatonic”, consists of officers from the Paju (파주) Police Station.
2) “My First Concert” at the Gyeonggi Arts Center
Titled “My First Concert”, this event was organized by the Gyeonggi Arts Center as part of its amateur support program to provide talented amateur musicians with an opportunity to realize their dreams.
It was an impressive event both for performers and the audience.
3) Han Jin-hui / Audience Member
“It was impressive to witness people realizing their dreams while pursuing their own occupations. I think I will try to do something I like myself.”
This concert was more than just a music event; it was also an exciting moment in the lives of the participants.
4) [VOICEOVER]
“It is all about breaking personal conventions, and getting out and doing it.”
Perhaps we shouldall start writing our own bucket lists.
 
Article 4.Lunar New Year’s Day Livestock Product Inspections(140113-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Governmentbegan livestock product inspections to ensure the safety of these products that are consumed in greater quantities during the Lunar New Year holidays.
[Report]
1) [SOUNDBITE]
“How often do you replace ultraviolet light bulbs?”
“Once every 6 months”
“Once every 6 months?”
2) Special Livestock Product Inspections before Lunar New Year’s Day (January 13th – 28th)
Inspections will continue until January 28th, before Lunar New Year’s Day, focusing on hygiene in production processes and equipment.
The inspection subjects include 250 livestock processing and retail establishments.
3) Park Seon-hui / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province Livestock Products Analysis Team
“We schedule the inspections to ensure the hygiene of livestock products at the production sites. We will collect samples and run laboratory test to check for any pathogens.”
In addition to tests for pathogens that may cause food poisoning, genetic tests will also be performed to verify countries of origin. This year’s inspections are more intense since the Gyeonggi Provincial Government is determined to eradicate misconduct in the food industry.
4) Park Joon-jo / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Live Products Analysis Team
“We used to focus mainly on large supermarkets during previous inspections of retail establishments. From this year, we have also included traditional markets.”
Establishments that violate food safety regulations will be penalized with business suspension of up to three months as well as fines of up to KRW 10 million.
 
Article 5.Libraries Programs for Children during Winter Vacation (140114-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Imagine that your child wants to go to the library to study without being asked to do so. It would please any parent. This is exactly what is happening at almost all libraries in Suwon (수원) City during this winter vacation.
[Report]
Children raise their hands, wanting to be picked for a presentation.
This is not a school class but instead an educational class that is part of a winter vacation program operated by a library to promote reading among children.
1)[SOUNDBITE]
“It is sharp and it is a plant.”
“A bamboo!”
“Right, there is a bamboo culm hidden in the picture. The color of this bamboo culm is…”
“Black!”
“Right, it’s black, and that’s why it is called Ojuk.”
In this class, children learn about cultural assets that appear on bank notes and create their own notes.
As the program progresses, the library becomes a place that children love to visit.
2) Kim Gyeong-min / Manpo-dong, Suwon City
“I liked the picture called Chojungdo drawn by Shinsaimdang very much. I want to attend this class during the next vacation.”
In another class, all the children are holding books in their hands.
They are now learning how to select the books they want to read and how to find them in a library.
Some children are eager to learn while others are simply confused. All in all, these children are having a great time.
3) Kim Yong-gap / Officer, Suwon Central Library
“We designed programs that will help children familiarize themselves with books and libraries through craft making and dialogues with teachers. We will run similar programs during summer vacations as well.”
4) Applications for Participation in Winter Vacation Programs at Libraries
A wide variety of winter vacation programs for children are operated by libraries. Applications for participation are being received via the homepages of each library.
 
Article 6.Consumers Misled by Discounted Condo Membership Offers(140115-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A condominium in Korea is a membership-based, self-catering resort hotel with amenities and entertainment facilities. A condominium membership permits the use of a room for a certain number of days during the year. There are an increasing number of consumers who fail to check terms in detail when they purchase a discounted membership, and thus lose large sums of money later on.
[Report]
An Mi-yeong (안미영) in Yongin (용인) City bought a condo membership ten years ago.
It was already an over lyambitious act for her, but she was repeatedly forced to make additional large payments, all in the name of standard terms.
1)AnMi-yeong (alias) / Seongbok-dong, Yongin City
“They said, ‘Registration is complete only when you pay the facility management fees,’ and, ‘Pay now, otherwise registration will not be possible.’”
CG)
At the Gyeonggi Province Consumer Information Center, the number of consumer inquiries pertaining tothis issue has increased from 194 cases in 2011 to 348 cases in 2012 and 440 cases in 2013.
2) Legal Ignorance of Consumers
The main reason for the emergence of this problem is the ignorance of consumers about sales terms and related regulations.
CG)
According to regulations, one can cancel a purchase contract within fourteen days if the transaction was made as a result of telemarketing. The purchaser is then entitled to a full refund less ten percent cancellation fees. If payment has been made by a credit card on monthly installments, cancellation is possible within seven days from the date of entering the contract.
3) Son Cheol-ok / Gyeonggi Province Consumer Information Center Team Leader
“You should avoid purchasing on impulse. If you do enter a contract, you should check details about the company, particulars of the contract conditions, and service contents. If you suffer damage, you can get help by call the Consumer Consultation Center at 1372.”
It is important to take every precaution before purchasing a discounted condominium membership so as to ensure that you leave for your holidaysonly with happy anticipation.
 
Article 7.Taiwanese Find Delight at Korean Traditional Markets(0113-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Inspired by the popularity of Korean ski tours among Taiwanese, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization recently introduced tour packages for Taiwanese tourists that include visits to Korean traditional markets. These have proven to be a great success.
[Report]
1) Motgol Market, Suwon City (January 12th)
This traditional market in Suwon (수원) City is bustling with Taiwanese tourists who are gathered around food stalls. Taiwanese are fascinated by the foods that they have seen in Korean dramas.
[SOUNDBITE]
2) Taiwanese Savor Experience at Korean Traditional Markets
These fellow Asian tourists seem to enjoy Korean food and the hospitality of Korean merchants so much that they bought extra to bring home.
3) [PIP] Wang Jun Song / Taiwanese Tourist
There are a variety of foods. It was a wonderful time because we could experience Korean characteristics and culture. I think a visit to a marketplace is a must when we come to Korea.”
4) 700 Taiwanese Visited Traditional Markets in One Month
In just one month from the introduction of the Korean traditional market tour, more than seven hundred Taiwanese visited traditional marketplaces, evincing great enthusiasm.
5) [INTERVIEW] Kim Seong-hui / Market Merchant
“Taiwanese customers started coming since last December. I have already begun studying the Chinese language. That is sure to help.”
6) Promotion of Market Tour to Be Expanded to China
After the trial operation of the market tour with Taiwanese through to February, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization plans to introduce the program in China.
7) [INTERVIEW] Han Sang-hyup / Tourism Marketing Manager, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
“We expect that more than 3,000 Taiwanese will have visited traditional markets by the end of February. It will be a tremendous boosting factor for the markets.”
It is also a boosting factor for the promotion of tourism since foreign visitors find market visits a great opportunity to experience Korean culture as well as humanity in its essence.