[Gyeonggi Receives Investment!]

Provincial Governor Kim Munsu, who recently accompanied President Lee Myeong Bak was able to attract some global businesses to Gyeonggi.

For the first time a member of a local autonomy accompanied the president as a special attendant, Provincial Governor Kim Munsu came along to promote the investment environment of Gyeonggi Province.

As a result, last April 16th the largest distribution company in the world, ProLogis completed a 1 billion dollar investment Memorandum of Understanding whereas Pyeongtaek Port and Gyeonggi Province will receive 500 million dollars each for the construction of an international distribution complex within the province.

The construction of the Pyeongtaek Port distribution complex is expected to the have economical effect of more than 1.49 billion dollars in value added, and about 5,300 jobs to be created. Meanwhile, Provincial Governor Kim Munsu finished the tour as an attendant and visited Austrialia on April 21st to attend a 9.25 million dollar MOU signing ceremony between Bishop, a company specializing in auto steering equipment, and Hwaseong Precision, a Korean auto parts company.

Following this agreement Bishop and Hwaseong Precision will invest 18.5 million dollars to establish an auto steering equipment manufacturing facility in the Pyeongtaek Hyeongok Foreign Business Complex by some time next year with a plan for production to begin in earnest soon after.

[Regional Job Fairs]

To help resolve the unemployment and human resources issue Gyeonggi has begun holding job fairs, one right after the other in 5 separate regions.

On April 21st the Ansan Olympic Hall was the venue for the Ansan region job fair. Here company representatives and job applicants are seated facing each other at the booths prepared by the various companies, and are discussing job opportunities.

Nearly 70 promising companies from the Ansan Region attended, hiring applicants in fields including trade, overseas operations, and technology research.

The information search zone has attracted much attention. At the Ansan job fair, which was the second one to be held after the Paju fair, nearly 500 out 2000 applicants were hired making the job fair a success. Particularly, the job search consultant, who helps applicants find jobs suitable for their age, and experience was quite busy attending applicants seeking advice. Also a resume picture service was offered for free.
The job fairs in other regions to follow are Anseong, Anyang, and Kimpo in that order.

[Various Gas Prices]

Recently, an internet site made public the gas prices of gas stations nationwide. In one region the difference between gas stations was up to 200 won a liter. Let\’s take a look at the most expensive and cheapest gas stations in the province.

This is a gas station in Suwon. Cars are waiting in line to fill up. Apparently, it\’s because this station offers gas cheaper than other stations.

I look for places 10 won cheaper per liter, and that have good service for a car wash

From the drivers perspective even slightly cheaper helps.

This is a website that displays gas station prices nationwide. The prices at gas stations in 44 towns and cities in the province are listed. The best bet for cheap gas would be Suwon, which averaged 1660 won a liter.
On the other hand, the most expensive gas is in Gwacheon, averaging 1780 won a liter, followed by three places in Seongnam that were the most pricy.

The results of the general inspection exposed a number of illegal brokerage acts. We will continue our inspection to prevent the losses of residents.

Presently many residents with little experience about real estate transactions trust the real estate office when making a transaction.

[Summer \’Ozone\’ Warning]

Summer is approaching little by little, but in the summer especially ozone levels become more dangerous. Special precautions are required to avoid harm.

In Gyeonggi Province from May 1st through the middle of September for nearly 5 months Suwon, Bucheon and 24 other regions operate an ozone warning system. The ozone warning system monitors the density of the ozone layer. To prevent harm the Weather Bureau broadcasts a precaution when the ozone is more than 0.12 ppm, a warning when it is more than 0.3 ppm and a severe warning when it is more than 0.5 ppm.

When a precaution or a warning comes up the message will be announced on the internet, atmosphere pollution electric signboards, the radio and other mass media, over apartment complex intercoms, and in the near future to cell phones.

When an ozone precaution of 0.1ppm has been announced harm is caused to the respiratory organs so those heart disease patients and seniors should avoid doing outdoor activity.

Also, when a warning is made, outdoor activities should be limited at preschools and public schools, and drivers in a warning district should cooperate with the measures regarding driving limits under such conditions.

In case of a severe warning schools will be closed, and drivers will be expected to follow the prohibitions on driving.

[Helpful seeing-eye dogs!]

Seeing-eye dogs are the eyes and ears of disabled people, and give them much physical and emotional help. Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province actively promoted more training of seeing eye-dogs.

Since 2006 this seeing-eye dog, Donggyeongi began living with Ju Hyeon Su, who is 1st degree vision impaired.
Donggyeongi is the eyes for its master. From the moment they step out of the house its master is guided and helped kept safe.

The seeing-eye dog Donggyeongi not only helps in everyday life but has been a huge force in helping Ju overcome her disability.

Now that I have Donggyeongi it\’s nice that I can go everywhere, I pet him and am glad he is always with me.

For registered disabled persons in the province nearly 5,000 people can benefit from a seeing eye dog, however, only 80 people are using a seeing-eye dog like Ju.
As a result, the province will be the first local autonomy to support seeing-eye dogs for the improvement of everyday life for its citizens.

We plan to distribute 15 seeing eye dogs to those who are blind death and mute.

It seems like much more support would be needed in the future for disabled persons to benefit from seeing-eye dogs that help in everyday life by becoming one with their masters.

[Gyeonggi Women\’s Handicraft Show]
On April 23rd the Gyeonggi Women \’s Handicraft Contest was held for women in the province to display their talents. This year 8 events will be held in the contest. We will take a look at calligraphy and 2 other contest events.

Just before the calligraphy, painting, and flower arrangement contests began, the participants seemed a bit tense. As soon as the contest began the participants presented with no regrets the skills they have been honing.

The brushwork on the Chinese drawing paper was done one stroke, one character at a time full of detail and very serious.

They were immaculate drawings of the Maehwa flower, chysanthemums and the four gracious plants. Participants in the flower arrangement competition were busy making pleasant arrangements.

This year, the 23rd Gyeonggi Women\’s Handicrafts Contest, the only one of its kind in the nation has gained much recognition in the talent that can been seen here.