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. Idea Contest Held among Gyeonggi Officials (160627-3)
[Anchor’s Headline] Last year, Gyeonggi Province introduced an idea contest for officials. The ideas presented were based upon necessities that officials identified in their workplaces. A number of creative ideas that were adopted have proven effective in administrative improvements. This year’s contest was held recently with expanded participation including personnel from affiliated organizations.

▶ Jeong In-gyeong, Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation
Jeong (정인경), a Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation staff member, proposed a system that can provide comprehensive information about the welfare services available in the province to both welfare consultants and applicants.
▶ Jeong In-gyeong / Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation Staff Member
“Residents often ask me if there is a website they can use that provides information about all the welfare services available. The lack of such a comprehensive information source was a source of inconvenience to many residents as well as to us, and led me to propose this idea.”

▶ One-stop Welfare Information Service
Using GPS, this system will locate the nearest related welfare facilities to users and will even provide reservation and inquiry services through linkage with each facility. The system will also provide information about physical aids and personal rehabilitation equipment.
▶ Pangyo Creative Economy Innovation Center (June 22)
Gyeonggi Public Organization Idea Audition
The contest, in which a total of 106 ideas were presented this year, was organized in an audition format. Five cases were finally selected for actual development and implementation.
▶ Kim Yang-ho / Director, Gyeonggi Province Inspection & Evaluation Division
“Subject to detailed policy meetings, the selected ideas will receive budgetary and manpower support as well as other multifaceted support as required for their realization.”
Ideas that are implemented and prove successful will be awarded incentives of up to KRW 100 million each as well as additional points for the personnel performance ratings of their creators.

Article 2. Creative Economy Convergence Center Opens in Anyang (160628-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Anyang (안양) City of Gyeonggi Province opened a business startup support center titled Anyang (안양) Creative Economy Convergence Center. This municipal facility will operate free-style learning systems in cooperation with the Pangyo (판교) Startup Campus.

▶ Anyang Creative Economy Convergence Center
Instead of formal lectures and consultations, these aspiring entrepreneurs engage in prototype operations while interacting freely with industry mentors.
▶ Lee Dae-hui / CEO, Plum Ltd.
“It’s not possible for me to provide consultations for individual projects of youths. This free-style environment provides a much better setting for me to communicate with them through game play and dialogues.”

▶ Gaming Experience with Experts
Through the experience associated with existing software products, resident center youths learn the latest trends and are given up-to-date information in their fields of interest by industry experts.
▶ Kim Ja-yun / Resident, College Student
“Experiencing actual products and interacting with established businesspersons and other students provides wonderful opportunities to expand my horizons.”

▶ Anyang Creative Economy Convergence Center (June 27)
Opening Ceremony
The Anyang (안양) Creative Economy Convergence Center, featuring differentiated programs, opened for youths with business ideas. The center houses large common spaces as well as various business startup support facilities in a modern 9-story building, and provides comprehensive support in close linkage with the Pangyo (판교) Startup Campus.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“By working closely with other business startup support centers in Pangyo and other local districts, I hope that Anyang will become part of Korea’s economic center.”
The establishment of a business startup support center in Anyang (안양) City will hopefully help the city regain its economic vitality and become a place in which youths realize their dreams.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Improves Gyeongbu Expressway Bypass (160624-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] In order to alleviate chronic traffic congestion on the Gyeongbu (경부) Expressway, Gyeonggi Province decided to install advanced traffic information systems on local bypasses to route part of the expressway traffic along these roads.

▶ Gyeongbu Expressway between North Cheonan IC and Anseong IC
The initial work will be done on a local road section between North Cheonan (천안) and Anseong (안성).
▶ Won Seong-jae / Hwaseong City Resident
“Unaware of detours, many drivers waste a lot of time unnecessarily in the middle of congestion. If bypass information is provided in advance…”
The expressway section between these areas is notorious for severe congestion that turns the road into a giant parking lot during commuting hours.
▶ CCTV Cameras at 11 Locations
▶ Fog Sensor at 1 Location
▶ Electric Traffic Information Board at 8 Locations
Work on the alternative local bypasses will be comprised of the installation of intelligent traffic notification systems.
▶ Traffic Information Available from Road Electric Board and Website
Traffic information will be made available in real time via the information boards on the roads as well as by telephone and the traffic information center homepage. Such improved information will help reduce the travel time along this section by more than 10 minutes.
▶ Park Seong-hwan / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Traffic Information Management Team
“When congestion occurs on the Cheonan-Anseong section of the Gyeongbu Expressway, traffic detour information – Anseongdaero – as well as information about accidents will be provided.”
Starting with the installation of intelligent traffic systems on Anseongdaero (안성대로), Gyeonggi Province will continue to expand such installations on other bypass sections.

Article 4. Biodegradable Plastic Developed in Gyeonggi Province (160627-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] Supported by Gyeonggi Province, a university and SME team succeeded in developing a material that can be used for eco-friendly plastic production. This material biodegrades much more rapidly than ordinary plastics.

▶ Joint Bioplastic Study by Sungkyunkwan University and DHT Bioplastics
This development was achieved jointly by a team of scholars and enterprise researchers. The biodegradable plastic material is extracted from a tar-like substance that is generated as a waste product of paper manufacturing. The amount of this environmentally hazardous waste generated in Korea amounts to 720,000 tons annually.
However, this liquid is used as a source of lignin that can be processed to produce lignin polymer, the material in question. This lignin polymer can then be used to produce biodegradable plastics.
▶ Nam Jae-do / Professor, Sungkyunkwan University
“We used the waste product from the chemical pulp processing to extract lignin, which is then used to produce a new material that can be used with plastic materials”

▶ Carbon Dioxide Reduction and Environment Friendliness
Since this material uses recycled carbon from wood pulp, it helps with nature conservation and reduces carbon dioxide emissions while being environmentally friendly when disposed of.
▶ Mixes Well with Common Plastics
This material mixes well with common plastics, can be molded equally well at high temperatures, and thus can be used in a wide range of eco-friendly applications.
▶ Supported by Gyeonggi Regional Research Center
The development of this biodegradable plastic is the result of 8 years of efforts by the research team with support from the Gyeonggi Regional Research Center.
▶ Hong Hyun-pyo / Gyeonggi Province Intellectual Property Team official
“This was one of the support projects for enterprises with limited resources that have been linked with academic research capabilities. We will continue to support enterprises in their research and development efforts.”
Gyeonggi Province has been providing assistance to enterprises with limited resources in their R&D activities by connecting them with universities for joint endeavors.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Targets Zero Standing Passengers in Red Buses by 2018 (160629-)
[Anchor’s Headline] On June 28, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil announced the introduction of a semi-public bus transportation system so as to better address the inconveniences faced by bus users. The initial target for this system is to achieve zero standing passengers on red buses by the year 2018.
▶ Red Bus Stop in Suwon
It is early in the morning, but there is already a long queue at the bus stop. When a bus arrives, its “Full” sign is on. However, many attempt to board the bus so as to avoid being late for work.
▶ Bus Users Complain about Inefficient Bus Services
Passengers who travel on less busy routes often have to detour to busier areas just to catch a bus.
▶ [PiP] Son Myeong-cheon / Hwaseong City Resident
“The buses on the less busy routes arrive after long intervals up to one hour. I often have to detour to Suwon Station instead of waiting a long time.”
Those who do manage to board the red buses as standing passengers have to endure a hard time while traveling.
▶ Kim Su-sin / Suwon City Resident
“I always travel as a standing passenger. It’s very inconvenient even when I can lean on the bus door.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (June 28)
Announcement of Semi-public Bus Transportation System Introduction
The semi-public bus transportation system is based on the principle that Gyeonggi Province directly manages bus routes and allocations in such a way as to maximize their efficiency while guaranteeing sustainable revenues for bus operators.
▶ Gyeonggi Province and Local Governments to Share Costs
This system’s operation costs of approximately KRW 90 billion will be borne jointly by Gyeonggi Province and local governments.
▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“We will introduce the semi-public bus transportation system. We will realize zero standing passengers on red buses by the year 2018 and will continue to make commuting safer and more comfortable.”

▶ Additional Measures to Follow
Gyeonggi Province will consider additional measures to improve bus services such as increasing the number of double-decker buses, introducing seat reservation systems, and operating two shifts for bus drivers.

Article 6. 311th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Regular Session Closed (160629-2)
[Anchor’s Headline] On June 28, the 311th regular session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly ended after the approval of all 86 bills presented during the session. Our reporter examined the details.

▶ [Sync]
“I declare opening of the second general meeting of the 311th regular session.”

▶ More than 80 Bills Passed
The 15-day run of the 311th regular assembly session ended with the closure of the second general meeting.
This regular session saw the passing of all bills as presented within the schedule. The Special Budget Committee approved the closing accounts of Gyeonggi Province for 2015 as well as the reserved accounts for this year. During the five-minute free speech session on the final day, an assembly member urged the provincial government to address microdust issues.
▶ Song Sun-taek / Assembly Member, NAPD Party
“I believe that Gyeonggi Province should endeavor to find the solutions to microdust issues more proactively since these issues are directly related to the health of our residents.”
There was also a suggestion for the reduction of public sport facility admission fees following the merger of sports associations.
▶ Lim Dong-bon / Assembly Member, Saenuri Party
“The objective of the merger of sports associations should be to establish an advanced sports system through the integration of professional sports and sports for all in line with environmental changes in domestic sports.”
The next provincial assembly meeting will be held on July 7 when an extraordinary session begins with newly elected chairpersons.

Article 7. Gyeonggi Develops Futuristic Agriculture Complex (160628-1)
[Anchor’s Headline] Gyeonggi Province recently announced the development of a futuristic agricultural complex on an area as large as thirteen soccer fields by the year 2018.

▶ ‘Ddabok Farm of the Future’
This agricultural complex project, titled ‘Ddabok Farm of the Future’, is part of core agricultural policies that Gyeonggi Province recently disclosed.
▶ 89,000 Sq.m Site
The complex will be established on an 89,000 square-meter site
▶ Kim Chung-beom / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Policy Division
“We will develop a processed food complex that uses local farm products, as well as a tourist attraction with farm experience facilities for domestic and international visitors.”
This complex will house all agricultural processes from farming and processing facilities to sales outlets and farm experience facilities. Detailed plans will be finalized in September after the selection of local government proposals. The project will be managed by a public and private sector consortium.
▶ Approx. 1,000 Jobs Created
Gyeonggi Province expects this project will create 500 jobs during construction and nearly 1,000 jobs during operations.
▶ Kim Chung-beom / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Policy Division
“Gyeonggi Province will invest KRW 5 billion in foundational facilities by 2018. The complex will begin receiving visitors from 2019.”
This agricultural complex will play an important role in revitalizing local agriculture, which is currently in decline due to the aging of society.

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