Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week.

Article 1. Popularity of Gyeonggi Farmers’ Markets Surges (161114-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] The popularity of farmers’ markets, more commonly referred to as ‘direct local food markets’ in Korea, has been increasing rapidly in Gyeonggi Province. Over the past four years, the sales of farmers’ markets have increased eleven-fold.

▶ Icheon Direct Local Food Market
At this farmers’ market in Icheon (이천) City, each shop displays farm information, and all the products are labeled with contact information as well as production dates. Vegetables are harvested and sold on the same day by the farmers themselves. Consumers can trust what they purchase while enjoying freshness and low prices.
▶ Kim Jeong-ja / Shopper
“I feel I can better trust buying products produced in a home district. Goods arrive directly from the farm, so they are fresher and much cheaper.”
There are huge differences in the prices of agricultural products created through distribution from producers to consumers in Korea.
▶ Farmers’ Markets Reduce Distribution Margins for Consumers
However, farmers’ markets offer prices approximately one third lower than supermarkets. There are 22 farmers’ markets in Gyeonggi Province.
▶ Sales of Gyeonggi Farmers’ Markets Increased to KRW 55 Billion
The latest annual sales of farmers’ markets in Gyeonggi Province totaled KRW 55 billion, an eleven-fold increase over the past four years.
▶ [PiP] Moon Jae-yeol / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Products Distribution Division
“Distribution processes have been minimized. Although farmers have to bear extra packaging and retailing costs, they still can offer low prices while providing fresh foods to consumers.”
Gyeonggi Province plans to increase the number of farmers’ markets to more than 100 by the year 2018 so as to promote the operations of farmers as well as the interests of consumers.

Article 2. Gyeonggi Plans Major Increase in EV Charging Stations (161115-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] The lack of charging stations has been the greatest obstacle in the use and promotion of electric vehicles in Korea. However, within a short period of time, the electric vehicle owners in Gyeonggi Province will no longer have to worry when they take their cars out for long-distance travel.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Announces Expansion of EV Charging Stations
Gyeonggi Province recently announced its plan to establish a large number of charging stations in the province in cooperation with related enterprises.
▶ [PiP] Woo Ji-seon / Electric Vehicle User
“Travelling short distances is no problem. However, you have a big worry when you have to travel a long distance because you have limited driving time and no information on charging stations available on the road.”
The shortage of charging stations explains why there are only slightly more than 500 electric vehicles in Gyeonggi Province.
▶ Good Morning House (November 14)
Signing of Agreement for EV Charging Station Expansion
Gyeonggi Province’s announcement followed the signing of an agreement with electric vehicle-charging enterprises on the expansion of charging facilities.
▶ 12,000 Charging Stations to Be Established by 2020
According to this agreement, the number of charging stations in the province will be increased from the current 56 to more than 12,000 by the year 2020. With the increased number of charging stations, charging station information services will also be made available.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Jae-yul
“We are considering making it compulsory for new apartment complexes to install charging facilities while promoting installation at 3,700 existing complexes.”
In tandem with this ambitious project, Gyeonggi Province also plans to increase the number of electric vehicles in the province to 50,000 by the year 2020.

Article 3. Gyeonggi to Support Street Art (161115-3)
[Anchor’s Headline] The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly recently passed the ‘Street Art Promotion and Support Ordinance’. This ordinance will expedite the implementation of street art projects being pursued by the provincial government.

▶ Street in Osan City
A yogi performs a sequence of yoga positions choreographed as artistic expressions while a man deftly works with long balloons to create dolls, moving cheerfully to music.
▶ [PiP] Kim Ji-su / Osan City Resident
“It’s nice to watch various performances while enjoying fresh air outdoors for a change, and to receive a balloon doll!”
These street performers, however, have difficulties in pursuing their arts.
▶ Sin Yong-kuk / Street Performer
“We cannot perform regularly due to a lack of space, sound equipment and places to rest between performances.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Begins Promotion and Support of Street Art
With this ordinance in place, Gyeonggi Province can now help these street performers and promote their arts more effectively.
▶ Kim Dal-su / Member of Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly
“The objectives of this ordinance are to support the creative activities of street artists, enable local governments to designate special street art locations, provide support for artist networks, and to ensure the continuity of support projects.”
There are a number of street art promotion projects currently being pursued by 24 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province.
▶ [PiP] Choi Byeong-gap / Director, Gyeonggi Province Cultural Policy Division
“We will have all the cities and counties participate in designating two or three locations in each locality where everyone can enjoy street art anytime.”
Street art, with a variety of experimental performances offered closer to audiences, will soon become one of the cultural features of Gyeonggi Province.

Article 4. Gyeonggi Rice to Cross Ocean to China (161115-4)
[Anchor’s Headline] Earlier this month, a team of Chinese delegates visited Gyeonggi Province to purchase rice breeds developed by the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services.

▶ Anhui Provincial Delegates Visit Gyeonggi Province
These delegates are the representatives of Anhui Limited, an Anhui provincial enterprise.
▶ Gyeonggi Rice Seed Management Office (November 8)
On November 8, the delegates visited the rice seed management office of Gyeonggi Province to view the rice storage facilities and Gyeonggi rice breeds first hand.
▶ Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
MOU for Gyeonggi Rice Trade
The delegates went on to sign an agreement with Gyeonggi Province regarding detailed processes for the cultivation and purchase of Gyeonggi rice.
▶ [PIP] Lim Yeong-chun / Director, Farm Area Resources Division, GARES
“This agreement is a starting point for the export of Gyeonggi Province’s ‘Matdream’ and ‘Chamdream’ rice breeds.”

▶ Gyeonggi Rice Cultivation Areas Selected for Exports to China
For the cultivation and supply of the two rice breeds to China from next year, Gyeonggi Province will designate two areas, 50 hectares and 100 hectares, in the cities of Pyeongtaek and Gimpo, respectively. These rice breeds have proven to be tastier and more disease resistant than existing breeds.
▶ Han linjiang / President, Anhui Limited Company
“Once Gyeonggi rice breeds are introduced through Anhui Limited, there is a high possibility that they will find markets throughout China.”
Exports of quality rice to China are expected to have the effect of promoting the consumption of Gyeonggi rice in China.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Permits Food Trucks in Traditional Markets (161116-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] From next year, food trucks will be permitted to operate in traditional markets in Gyeonggi Province. This initiative is expected to provide stable business locations to young food truck operators while helping traditional markets revive their trade with new attractions.

Although food trucks are easy to start with relatively small investments, it is not easy for them to find locations for stable operation.
▶ Location Limitation Prevents Stable Operation
Most food trucks end up operating at quiet public places where they are not challenged by existing, competition-conscious businesses.
▶ Kang Min-jae / Food Truck Operator
“It is almost impossible to squeeze into populated areas. This leads us to circulate places, but it has limitations.”

▶ Gyeonggi Arranges Food Truck Operation in Traditional Markets
For the first time in Korea, Gyeonggi Province will allow food trucks to operate in traditional markets so as to provide them with an opportunity to run stable businesses in populated places. These food trucks are also expected to help traditional markets attract shoppers.
▶ Choi Geum-yul / Chairman of Suwon Nammun Market Merchant Association
“The greatest problem of traditional markets is that they are shunned by young people. Food trucks with fusion foods will help traditional markets transform into popular destinations for youths.”

▶ Trial Evening Operations
However, food truck operation will be limited to evening hours on a trial basis. Based on the results, food truck operation in traditional markets will be expanded throughout the province.
▶ [PIP] Go Bong-tae / Director, Gyeonggi Province Regulatory Reform Division
“We will develop new models next year by taking advantages of the characteristics of traditional markets and food trucks, and expand these models to all cities and counties of the province.”
Trial food truck operation in traditional markets will begin this January in Suwon City’s Nammun Market.
Article 6. Gyeonggi Province Tops in Livestock Disease Prevention (161116-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province received top prize in a national assessment of livestock quarantine administration. The assessment was undertaken by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

▶ Hwangcho-ri, Hwaseong City
As winter nears, preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease have already begun at livestock farms in Gyeonggi Province.
▶ [PiP] Park Min-gil / Livestock Farmer
“We have had the painful experience of being seriously damaged by foot-and-mouth disease. We also remember how officials had a hard time dealing with disease outbreaks.”
Although it is primarily the responsibility of livestock farmers to prevent and manage animal disease outbreaks, the role of the provincial administration is crucial since there are limitations to what farmers can do.
▶ Go Tae-oh / Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center Official
“At the Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center, we have been taking extensive preventive measures by performing close monitoring through testing, visiting individual farms, and educating farmers.”
The Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center collects animal blood samples from livestock farms on a regular basis to ensure that animals have developed sufficient antibody levels. Gyeonggi Province also provides quarantine services for individual farms.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Receives Highest Score in Livestock Disease Prevention
Such positive actions by Gyeonggi Province, which were often taken in close cooperation with local governments and related organizations, were regarded highly in the national assessment.
▶ Kim Seong-sik / Director, Gyeonggi Province Animal Quarantine Division
“Preventive measures at livestock farms such as quarantine and sterilization are very important and form the greatest part of our tasks.”
Gyeonggi Province will continue its vigilance against animal disease outbreaks such as foot-and-mount disease and bird flu.

Article 7. Employment-Reserved Credit Program for Gyeonggi Students (161117-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] In cooperation with academia and SMEs, Gyeonggi Province has been operating an employment-reserved credit program for university students seeking employment and for SMEs seeking qualified personnel.

▶ Yeoju Institute of Technology
This class is one such education course that was customized for jobs at potential employers. These students are learning car maintenance through lectures as well as the use of real auto parts.
▶ Employment-Reserved Education Courses Customized for Actual Jobs
The program consists of six months of lectures and an additional six months of on-site education at participating enterprises.
▶ Seo Yeong-jae / Employment-Reserved Education Course Student
“This program gives us opportunities to experience actual jobs at enterprises and learn how work is done at those enterprises.”
Participating enterprises also show high levels of satisfaction with this program.
▶ Park Cheol-woong / Director, Participating Enterprise
“Most of all, we can assign the graduates directly to actual jobs. It also saves students time in adapting to their jobs, learning new things, and developing skills.”
[CG] Over the past five years, 190 students have participated in this education program. Of these, 80 percent have succeeded in finding employment.
▶ Kim Jae-seung / Director, Gyeonggi Province Education Cooperation Division
“We will encourage participation by more students and enterprises and ensure satisfaction of both.”
The employment-reserved education program serves as an excellent bridge that connects college graduates with possible employment while providing SMEs with personnel ready for actual work.

Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV
We look forward to seeing you again next week.