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. Gyeonggi Mobilizes Special Ambulances for Heat Wave Victims (160725-2)

[Anchor’s Headline] Under the continuing heat wave, the number of heat-related casualties is increasing in Korea. In order to help heatstroke victims receive emergency medical aid, the Gyeonggi Province Disaster & Safety Headquarters is mobilizing special ambulances.

With temperatures hovering above 30 degrees Celsius, [CG-Overlap] there have already been 460 heat-related casualties in Gyeonggi Province – more than double last year’s figure – and the number is increasing rapidly.

▶ Special Ambulances for Heat Wave Victims

Equipped with body-cooling devices, these ambulances are staffed with medics trained in heatstroke treatment.

[Sync]

The body temperatures of heatstroke victims can rise dangerously to more than 40 degrees Celsius. Without immediate medical attention, this can lead to a coma or even death.

▶ Choi Ji-in / Emergency Rescuer, 119 Fire House

“The primary objective is to transport patients to hospitals as quickly as possible. While doing so, we use various means to revive patients and lower their body temperatures…”

A total of 225 ambulances were allocated for this temporary assignment so as to ensure that victims anywhere in the province receive emergency treatment within 10 minutes.

▶ [PiP] Kim Tae-gyeong / Gyeonggi Province Disaster & Safety Headquarters Official

“In addition to the operation of special ambulance services, we are working with related organizations to ensure fast and effective responses”

The Gyeonggi Province Disaster & Safety Headquarters is also working with local health centers on summer emergency programs for seniors and children who are more vulnerable to heat.

Article 2. Medical Tourists from Central Asia Doubled This Year (160726-2)

[Anchor’s Headline] The number of foreign patients seeking medical treatment in Korea has been increasing continuously. Gyeonggi Province’s medical exchange programs that target Central Asian regions have proven effective since the number of medical tourists from these regions has increased significantly.

▶ Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Bucheon

Ellena Kim, a breast cancer patient from Kazakhstan, required immediate treatment and opted to come to Gyeonggi Province for surgery.

▶ Ellena Kim / Patient from Kazakhstan

“I chose to come here because the standards of the medical services and professionals are more advanced and the diagnosis more accurate in Korea than in Kazakhstan.”

Last year, a total of 290,000 medical tourists came to Korea.

[CG-Overlap] Those from Central Asia accounted for 15 percent, and their number has doubled this year.

▶ Choi Jun-hwan / International Medical Cooperation Team Leader, CHU Hospital

“We received an approximate monthly average of 100 patients (from Central Asia) until 2012. However, the number has grown to over 200 since 2014.”

▶ Medical Training and Exchanges with Central Asian Nations Attributed

Such a large increase in the number of medical tourists from Central Asia is regarded as the result of Gyeonggi Province’s training and exchange programs for medical professionals from these regions.

▶ Choi Gui-nam / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province International Medical Service Team

“We are operating a variety of medical programs for foreign professionals such as training, presentations and experiential tours. We believe that such initiatives are coming to fruition in the form of increased medical tourism from Central Asia …”

Gyeonggi Province will expand medical Korean Wave promotion activities in Central Asia through more active programs and the broader coverage of regions.

Article 3. Sales of Direct Local Food Outlets Increase (160725-1)

[Anchor’s Headline] The number of local food outlets through which fresh local produce is directly supplied to consumers by farmers is growing steadily in Korea. The sales of these outlets in Gyeonggi Province also increased significantly this year.

▶ Local Food Outlets Increased to 21

There are 21 local food outlets in Gyeonggi Province, 4 more than last year

▶ No Intermediary Distribution Processes

Since consumers can purchase goods directly from producers at local food outlets, they are gaining popularity among consumers for better product integrity as well as low prices.

▶ Foods Undergo Strict Safety Inspections

Consumers can rely on the safety of food items offered at the outlets since all items undergo strict safety inspections.

▶ Moon Je-yeol / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Products Distribution Division

“As of the end of June, the total sales were KRW 28.7 billion, which is 50% or KRW 9 billion more than the same period last year. We will continue to promote local food trades through various promotion programs.”

▶ This Year’s Sales Expected to Exceed Target

If the sales trend continues throughout the year, this year’s targeted sales total of KRW 60 billion is expected to be easily surpassed by the end of the year.

▶ Income of Participating Farmers to Increase 12%

The income of participating farmers is also expected to increase by 12 percent this year.

▶ Number to Local Food Outlets to Increase to 50 by 2018

Gyeonggi Province will continue to promote local food trades by establishing seven more local food outlets this year, and will increase the number to 50 by the year 2018.

Article 4. Ecology Experience Day School Opens in Gyeonggi Province (160726-3)

[Anchor’s Headline] The Marine & Fisheries Research Institute of Gyeonggi Province has been operating the Ecology Experience Day School for children every summer. School programs include a visit to a sturgeon pond and stream fishing.

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Marine & Fisheries Research Institute, Yangpyeong County

At this school, children learn about various fish that they have only seen in books and are provided with an opportunity to personally encounter them.

▶ [sync] “These fish are carnivorous. They live on other fish … by eating them alive.”

During the fish-feeding session at the outdoor aquarium, children are fascinated when many fish swarm around them to be fed. Children then move to the sturgeon pond where they can touch this large exotic freshwater fish, which is a protected species.

▶ Choi Jae-woo / Student from Goyang City

“I touched them and got something sticky on my hands. They are very strong.”

The final session of the school program is fishing in a local river. Working together with their families, children catch the fish they learned about in the morning.

▶ [PiP] Jang Ji-soon / Student from Seoul

“It was fun to catch fish by ourselves. My child and I got to hold a sturgeon that we had only heard about. The water was extremely clear here in Yangpyeong and there were many fish.”

▶ Free Summer Ecology Experience Programs

This ecology school provides children and their families with opportunities to experience freshwater ecology free of charge during the children’s summer vacation.

▶ Lee Yeon-jae / Administration Team Manager, Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

“The objective of this school, which began in 2006, is to provide children with family time and the opportunity to learn about the importance of ecological environments.”

The Ecology Experience Day School, which has received good responses from both children and adults, is open every Friday during the months of July and August annually.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Offices Adopt Modified Dress Code for Summer (160727-3)

[Anchor’s Headline] While the average global temperatures have continued to break records over the past 14 months, Gyeonggi Province has adopted a modified dress code known as ‘Cool Look’ along with energy-saving guidelines so as to improve working conditions for its officials while also saving energy during the summer.

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex

Before the introduction of the Cool Look dress code, the offices of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex were too warm for comfort and many officials had to resort to using fans while working with only one hand.

▶ [PiP] Lee Sang-gyu / Gyeonggi Province Climate Change Team

“Work efficiency had to be compromised when working in warm temperatures in formal attire with a necktie. With the adoption of the Cool Look code, I feel much better and work more efficiently. I also feel that I am helping to save the Earth.”

▶ Tieless

Long-sleeve shirts and neckties were replaced by…

▶ Short Sleeves

… short-sleeved shirts in cool colors without neckties.

▶ First Button Off

The first shirt button is left undone, which reduces sensory temperature by 2 degrees Celsius.

▶ Idle Computers in Energy-saving Mode

Computers are switched to energy-saving mode while not in use and…

▶ Idle Computers Unplugged

… power sources are disconnected.

▶ Personal Cups instead of Paper Cups

Disposable paper cups are replaced by personal cups.

This dress code and the behavioral guidelines have resulted in a sensory temperature decrease of 3 degrees Celsius without the need for powering up air conditioning systems.

▶ Oh Jae-yeong / Director, Gyeonggi Province Climate and Air Quality Management Division

“The Cool Look has the same effect as lowering the indoor temperature by 2 degrees Celsius, so every official is observing this new dress code voluntarily.”

The modified dress code and guidelines are helping Gyeonggi officials overcome the summer heat that is expected to last longer this year.

Article 6. Gyeonggi Province’s Apartment Inspection Services (160727-2)

[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been providing pre-occupation housing inspection services on behalf of the owners of new apartments. Such inspections are especially important in Korea since apartment transactions usually occur before construction begins.

▶ New Apartment Building, Suwon City

At this new apartment building, the owners are assisted by specialists in housing inspections in the presence of the constructor. These specialists are inspectors who provide the services introduced by Gyeonggi Province in 2007.

▶ Specialists in Housing-related Fields Perform Detailed Inspections

Every housing aspect including underground parking lots and illumination are examined by the professional eyes of the specialists.

▶ [PIP] Kim Jun-hui / Owner of New Apartment

“This is a commendable idea since professionals from Gyeonggi Province perform inspections even regarding matters about which we are normally ignorant.”

▶ Continuous Follow-ups after Occupation

Up to last year, approximately 390,000 new home owners received provincial inspection services with a 94 percent resolution rate for defects identified. The services continue even after occupation until all issues are addressed.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“We will continue to respond to your calls to address any unresolved issues even after occupation. Please keep contact with us. I will organize a meeting with residents at the provincial office complex.”

Gyeonggi Province’s communal housing inspection services are improving quality of life for residents by ensuring the quality of apartments.

Article 7. Public Distribution Center for SMEs Opens in Gyeonggi Province (160728-1)

[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province has been working on the establishment of a large public distribution center exclusively for SMEs so as to provide smaller enterprises with access to distribution facilities at low costs. On July 26, part of the center became ready for use and was opened.

▶ First Gyeonggi Province Public Distribution Center Opens

This public distribution center is located within the Gunpo (군포) Distribution Complex owned by CJ Korea Express.

▶ Rental Rates at Half Market Levels

The facilities of the center are available at rental rates that are nearly half current market rates.

▶ Existing Distribution Facilities Available at Low Costs0

CJ will make part of its space and facilities available to the center for use by SMEs in the province. This is regarded as an example of autonomous body-level shared market economy.

▶ [PiP] Noh Man-eung / Representative of Public Distribution Center Resident Enterprise

“We are realizing significant savings in distribution costs while delivery leads become much shorter. We can therefore provide better service to our customers. In this respect, this center provides SMEs with great opportunities.”

The section of the center that opened covers almost 2,000 square meters of the 14,000-square-meter project site and already houses 57 enterprises.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“In the future, Gyeonggi Province will independently establish public distribution centers in the province for SMEs and enterprises in their startup stages.”

▶ Distribution Poses Challenges to Small & Medium Manufacturing Enterprises

According to recent a survey, 11 percent of manufacturing SMEs are experiencing distribution difficulties due to a lack of facilities and 44 percent due to cost burdens.

Gyeonggi Province also has another public distribution center project in Hwaseong (화성) City that is slated to open in 2018 on a 66,000 square-meter site.

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We look forward to seeing you again next week.