The new year, 2016, has begun.

Gyeonggi Province will implement a variety of policies to make the province a better place in which to live in 2016.

What’s going to change in 2016 for Gyeonggi Province? Today, we introduce a few of the administrative systems set to change in Gyeonggi Province in 2016.

Provincial residents buying an automobile with an engine displacement of 2,000cc or less do not have to purchase the Regional Development Bond. For newly registered non-commercial passenger cars with an engine displacement exceeding 2,000cc, commonly purchased by high-income earners, there will be a 50% discount compared to current rates.  

The Startup Campus will open in the Pangyo Techno Valley in March. Key organizations, overseas consulting firms, investment groups in the information and communication industry including Gyeonggi Province’s Big-Fi Project Division, and the Big Data Center under the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning are expected to enter the Startup Campus. This campus will provide solutions for every imaginable issue for startups, from finding and developing goods and services for startups to launching a business, attracting investment, and expanding overseas.

Living wages for Gyeonggi Province will increase from KRW 6,810 in 2015 to KRW 7,030 in 2016. Coverage will also be extended to people directly employed by organizations supported or funded by Gyeonggi Province rather than people directly employed by the province.

The Europe Business Center, an exclusive organization responsible for promoting technical alliances and partnerships with small hidden technical champions of Europe seeking to enter the Korean market, will open in January/February of 2016. Located on the 9th floor of the Gwanggyo Business Center, 33 corporations and research institutes from nine countries are currently expected to occupy the center. 

Gyeonggi Province plans to pilot test its public postnatal care center in Dongducheon, Yeoju, Gapyeong, or Yeoncheon, all of which are regions lacking postnatal care centers, using a public competition to select the location. KRW 1.173 billion will be invested in the public postnatal care center, which have an approximately area of 200 pyeong, which will be opened to the public in the first half of 2016. The center will be able to accomdate 10-14 people at a cost of KRW 1.68 million for two weeks per person. 

During the first half of 2016, the right to reclassify development restriction areas of less than 300,000㎡ will be transferred to mayors and governors. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently in the process of amending relevant legislations.

Additionally, the construction of buildings (excluding factories, warehouses, etc.) of 21 stories or more, or buildings with a total floor space of 100,000㎡, was subject to prior approval from the provincial government. In 2016, however, buildings listed in provincial ordinance are excluded from the necessity for such approval. 

The number of ‘Ddabok Bus’ lines, which are currently in trial operation in five cities and counties, will increase from six to twelve. The six additional lines will be selected based on demand surveys and public competition for the bus lines. 

The local bus arrival information service currently available in ten cities (Yongin, Anyang, Namyangju, Paju, Siheung, Guri, Hanam, Gwacheon, Gwangmyeong, and Seongnam) will be made available in Goyang, Bucheon, Hwaseong, Gunpo, Uiwang, and Yangju, bringing the total number of service regions to 16. Gyeonggi Province plans to expand the system’s coverage to 21 cities by 2017.

In 2016, expressway tolls from Seosuwon to Uiwang will be lowered by KRW 100 for passenger cars, buses, and freight cars, and by KRW 50 for small cars at the Uiwang toll gate. A total 46 million vehicles are expected to benefit from the lowered toll costs.

From increased living wages and public postnatal care centers to local bus arrival information, there are many good systems directly related to our daily lives available across Gyeonggi Province. For more information on these changes and more, please visit Gyeonggi Net.

Please have a happy and prosperous 2016!

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