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. Wild Animal Rescue Increases in Gyeonggi Province (0808-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] In Korea, a growing number of wild animals are being found in human areas including cities. In Gyeonggi Province, the number of wild animals that have been rescued and treated increased 30 percent this year

▶ Animal Clinic, Suwon City
A 4-month-old heron arrived at a provincial animal clinic after being found injured on a lake shore. Young birds often fall out of their nests and suffer injuries while learning to fly. This year saw a significant increase in the number of wild animals that were rescued in the province like this bird.
▶ Jeon Byeong-jun / Veterinarian, Wild Animal Rescue Center, Gyeonggi Veterinary Service
“We have many young birds that fell and became unconscious while attempting to fly. Approximately one such bird has been brought to us each day by rescuers this month.”
The rescued animals are treated at the Wild Animal Rescue Center of Gyeonggi Province.
▶ 725 Animals Treated at Wild Animal Rescue Center, Up 35% from Last Year
As of June this year, a total of 725 animals were treated at this center, of which birds accounted for 66 percent. There were also endangered species as well as protected indigenous species.
▶ 64% Returned to Nature
This year, the release rate of animals back to nature almost doubled to 64% while the euthanasia rate was at its lowest.
▶ Kim Seong-hwan / Wild Animal Rescue Center Official
“This clinic is like a field hospital for wild animals. We give priority treatment to those that can be saved so as to maximize operational efficiency as well as the release rate.”
A total of 132 animals were returned to nature this year. More than 300 are still being rehabilitated at the center, waiting to be released.

Article 2. Education Correlates with Marriage/Childbirth Rates (160808-3)
[Anchor’s Headline] A recent survey conducted by Gyeonggi Province showed interesting results; both marriage and childbirth rates were higher among those who had more education.

▶ Education Correlated with Marriage/Childbirth Rates
According to the Population Policy Team of Gyeonggi Province that conducted the survey:
[CG-Overlap] The marriage rates of both men and women with higher education were significantly higher than those without; nearly twice, in fact, among men.
[CG-Overlap] Those with higher education generally have higher living standards and tend to seek partners from among those with the same educational level.
▶ Bae Jun-hyung / Jeonju City Resident
“Considering the life-long processes of family making, wouldn’t it be better to have a partner whose educational level is similar to mine and who speaks the same language?”
[CG] The childbirth rate was also lower among those who had an education level of high school or less, below one child per person.
▶ Kim Su-yeon / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Population Policy Team
“In Korea, the level of education directly relates to socioeconomic status and earnings. The survey results indicate that economic capabilities are key influencing factors for marriage and childbirth.”
Gyeonggi Province will develop differentiated marriage and childbirth promotion policies for different socioeconomic groups based on these results.

Article 3. Development Restrictions Lifted in Gwangju City Area (160809-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced the lifting of the Natural Green Area designation that was effectuated in 2003 on an area in Gwangju (광주) City in which industrial facilities already existed. The enterprises within the area are now able to realize long-awaited expansions.

▶ Bingrrae Co., Ltd. Gwangju Plant
This dairy processing plant suffers from a severe lack of storage space. Workers have to negotiate through piles of boxes even in work areas. However, building expansion has not been an option due to development restrictions on the area.
▶ GTV Reporter, Han Seon-ji
“The situation is very much the same for a neighboring box-manufacturing plant. This company has to use spaces outside of the factory to store finished products.”

▶ Building-to-Land Ratio Limited in Natural Green Areas
The 2003 Natural Green Area designation limited the building-to-land ratio to half of the previous 40 percent in this area, which rendered the large reserved spaces held by most of the enterprises in the area suddenly unusable for expansion.
▶Park Byeong-gu / Bingrrae Gwangju Plant Manager
“We couldn’t construct any additional production lines or other facilities. So, we had to use external storage services or transport the products to other company premises. That was causing us enormous costs…”

▶ Site Visit by Gyeonggi Officials in February
After visiting the site and recognizing the problems, Gyeonggi officials decided to help resolve the situation.
▶ Building-to-Land Ration Raised to 60%
In cooperation with Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province revised the area designation to that of an industrial area and raised the building-to-land ratio to 60 percent.
▶ Lee Seung-il / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Urban Planning Team
“We will continue to help enterprises in similar situations through the modification of restrictions in cooperation with local governments.”
Gyeonggi officials will continue to visit industrial areas on a regular basis so as to help resolve industrial site issues and promote the local economy.

Article 4. Gyeonggi Farmers Satisfied with Microorganism Applications (160810-3)
[Anchor’s Headline] In order to promote organic farming, the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services – or GARES – has introduced microorganism applications. Farmers who have adopted this new technology are expressing general satisfaction.

▶ Chicekn Farm, Hwaseong City
This chicken farm has been using microorganisms in chicken feed for five years. The owner says productivity has since increased while mortality rates and foul odors have decreased significantly.
▶ [PIP] Park Rae-young / Chicken Farmer
“We have not been using antibiotics or any of the usual chemicals. However, the chickens have been doing very well, and I am very satisfied.”
Microorganisms provide additional nutrients and increase the immunity of the animals.
▶ GARES Introduced Microorganisms to 24,000 Farms Since 2007
GARES has introduced microorganism varieties to more than 24,000 farms since 2007.
[CG] A recent survey revealed that microorganisms were effective in controlling foul odors, had antibiotic uses on stock farms, and reduced pesticide use on vegetable farms.
[CG-Overlap] GARES will increase regional microorganism production capacities since more than half of its users have agreed on expanded applications.
▶ Yoon Jong-cheol / Director, Technology Transfer Division, GARES
“We will expand local production facilities and increase the supply.”
GARES also plans to transfer the microorganism production technologies and provide subsequent support to larger farms for their independent production.

Article 5. Large Sports Theme Park Planned in Gwangju (160809-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province announced the establishment of a large sports theme park, comprised of baseball fields and a soccer field as well as a variety of other sports facilities, in Gwangju (광주) City. Entitled Team-up Campus, this park will benefit both professional and amateur players as well as the general public.

▶ Team-up Campus Planned in Gwangju City
This area in Gwangju (광주) City is where the Team-up Campus will be constructed. The expressway nearby will provide excellent access.
[CG] This site will house sports facilities that include three baseball fields, a soccer field, a camping ground and a survival game field.
▶ GTV Reporter, Lee Ye-sol
“A comprehensive sports theme park, the Team-up Campus, will be constructed on this site which is as large as 26 soccer fields.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (August 8)
Signing of Team-up Campus Establishment Agreement
On August 8, an agreement was signed by Gyeonggi Province, the Korea Professional Baseball Player Association and other related organizations for cooperation in the establishment of the Team-up Campus.
▶ Seong Sang-min / Chairman, National Non-professional Baseball Federation
“Many baseball fans are playing on odd spaces such as river banks. There is always a high risk of injury, but private fields are expensive. It will be wonderful to have quality facilities …”
Professional baseball players will also be present at this sports theme park to share the facilities with amateur players and aspiring young players.
▶ Lee Ho-jun / Chairman, Korea Professional Baseball Player Association
“I believe that youths will learn a lot at these baseball facilities by not just simply attending the baseball programs and games but by learning basic rules and how to play fair games as well.”

▶ Programs to be Available Also for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
The Team-up Campus and its programs will play an important part in relieving the lack of sports facilities for members of the general public including seniors, children and individuals with disabilities.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“People can learn basic skills, the spirit of sports and teamwork by playing here…”

▶ Team-up Campus Slated to Open in May 2018
One of four educational theme park projects of Gyeonggi Province, the Team-up Campus will open in 2018 when construction is completed at a cost of KRW 19.7 billion.

Article 6. Gyeonggi to Utilize Idle Spaces Created by Expressways (160810-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province recently announced its plan to utilize the idle land beneath elevated expressways and around expressway ramps for commercial and public purposes. The utilization of this idle land will also benefit its titleholder, the Korea Expressway Corporation, by creating extra revenue.

▶ Distribution Center, Uiwang City
This distribution center is one such private facility that has been constructed under the Seoul Beltway. With the expressway nearby, this site provides an ideal location for a distribution business.
▶ Win-win for Enterprises and Korea Expressway Corporation
While benefiting the Korea Expressway Corporation, such development will also provide private enterprises with commercial space at a low cost.
▶ GTV Reporter, Lee Ye-sol
“A total of 12,000 square meters of land under this expressway was left unused like this.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (August 8)
Signing of MOU for Expressway-created Idle Land Development
For the development of such land, Gyeonggi Province secured an agreement from the Korea Expressway Corporation,
[CG] There are nearly 150,000 square meters of idle land created by seven expressways in Gyeonggi Province.
▶ Distribution Facilities, Offices & Public Facilities
This land can be developed for use as distribution facilities, offices, or for public use. Such development will also have the effect of creating new jobs.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“These places can accommodate private enterprises or distribution centers. Development will also prevent these places from becoming slums …”

▶ Available Land to Increase with Introduction of Smart Tolling Systems
When smart tolling systems that automatically recognize vehicles are introduced, more space will be made available since wide toll gates will become unnecessary.

Article 7. Gyeonggi Opens Kim Yeong-lan Law Inquiry Call Service (160811-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] A new solicitation and bribery prohibition law – also known as the Kim Young-lan (김영란) Law – is slated to go into effect this September in Korea. Since this law is applied differently among different cases and public jobs, Gyeonggi Province opened a call center to handle inquiries about the law.

▶ Interpretation of Kim Yeong-lan Law Can be Confusing
Gyeonggi Province opened this service since there are still many people including officials who are unsure about the application of this law,
▶ [Sync]
“A resident leader sent our office 1 mal (approx. 18 kg) of rice cakes as a gift.”
“Since the value of a gift must not exceed KRW 50,000, this gift should be considered excessive.”
An inquiry by an official about a gift received from a resident is answered clearly.
▶ No Hyeon-ok / Gwanchoen City Planning & Audit Division Official
“There is no reference manual available yet and we often ignore the legal limits when gifts are small. This call center clarified the legality of the case for us. We will use the call center whenever …”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (August 10)
Illegal Soliciting & Bribery Prohibition Law Call Center Opening
Gyeonggi Province’s call service exclusively for this law is the first of its kind in Korea. Inquiries can be made by phone or e-mail. This center has already received more than a hundred inquiries in the five days since its opening.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“Since the law does not specify provisions universal to all cases, we opened this call service. Please use the service whenever you have questions about the application of the law, and we will provide you with professional consultations.”

▶ On/Offline Education of Officials Planned
Gyeonggi Province also plans to provide all provincial officials with online and offline education about this law.
▶ Baek Maeng-gi / General Director, Gyeonggi Province Audit & Inspection Bureau
“Gyeonggi Province established the call center in the Audit & Inspection Bureau and assigned three officials to the service.”
According to the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Provision/Receipt of Money and Valuables, [CG] the maximum permitted value of a gift is KRW 50,000 for a meal and KRW 100,000 for money for ceremonial or memorial events.
▶ GTV Reporter, Lee Ye-sol
“The Illegal Soliciting & Bribery Prohibition Law will come into effect on September 28. Gyeonggi GTV, Lee Ye-sol.”

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