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. Mid-20th Century Narrow-Track Railroad Story Published (0125-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The Gyeonggi Cyber Library is currently working on the investigation and recording of interesting stories of Gyeonggi Province that are being lost from public memory. One such nostalgic story about a narrow-track railroad line was recently published.

[Report]

▶ Railroad Museum, Uiwang City

At this railroad museum stands a train that used to run on the narrow-track Suyeo (수여) Railroad Line in eastern Gyeonggi during mid-20th century.

▶ [PIP] Kim Seon-hui / Hwaseong City Resident

“We can no longer see old trains like this. It was an interesting experience for my children.”

▶ Suyeo Railroad Line Constructed during Japanese Occupation

The Suyeo (수여) Line was constructed in the 1930s during the Japanese occupation of Korea.

▶ Served as Important East-West Gyeonggi Transportation Connection

This railroad line ran in the eastern regions of Gyeonggi Province between Suwon (수원) and Jeoju (여주) and continued its service until 1972. There are hardly any traces left of this railroad line except for the train at the museum.

▶ Suyeo Line Published by Gyeonggi Cyber Library

This book contains a number of photographs of the trains and railroad scenes as well as interviews with locomotive engineers and the people who used the rail line.

The Gyeonggi Cyber Library will continue to immortalize province’s past through such publications.

▶ [PiP] Kim Han-chun (aged 83) / Yongin City Resident

“They were small things, those trains. Everyone in Yongin used them. School kids and all.”

▶ Electronic Version Available at Library Homepage (memory.library.kr)

The publicized memories of Gyeonggi Province, such as the book Suyeo (수여) Line, are also available in electronic versions from the library’s homepage.

▶ Shin Jeong-ah / Librarian, Gyeonggi Cyber Library

“Many historic locations and facts are quicky being lost from our memories through our rapidly changing lifestyles. We have been collecting and recording information about such historical items”

The Gyeonggi Cyber Library also plans to hold an exhibition of the photographs and memorabilia featured in the book during Library Week in April.

Article 2. Gyeonggi Expands Public Welfare Facility Remodeling (0121-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

After the successful trial implementation of a public welfare facility improvement project that began in 2014, Gyeonggi Province announced expansion of the project this year.

[Report]

▶ Senior Hall, Yongin City

This senior hall in Yongin (용인) City was one of the welfare facilities that underwent major repair work through the provincial improvement initiative known as the ‘Green Remodeling Project’.

▶ Waterproof Features Added

In order to resolve issues that arose from dampness due to water leaks, sewage pipes were replaced and awnings were installed over the windows.

▶ Choi Gyeong-su / Resident Leader, 8, 9-tong, Pungdeokcheon-dong, Yongin City

“There were a lot of cockroaches that couldn’t be controlled. They simply disappeared after the repair work.”

▶ Heating Costs Reduced 30%

With the installation of additional insulation and a new door, heating costs are expected to be reduced by 30 percent.

▶ Green Remodeling: Over 90% Satisfaction Rate

According to a survey of the users of public welfare facilities that have received ‘Green Remodeling’ services, the satisfaction rate for improved facilities exceeds 90 percent.

▶ Jeong San-hun / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Architecture & Design Division

“This year, we will provide both the complete remodeling of all technical components of welfare facilities and partial remodeling for senior halls in densely populated areas.”

▶ Subject Facilities for Remodeling to be Selected from Applications

Subject facilities for complete remodeling will be selected from applications submitted before February 19. Another 10 facilities will be selected for partial remodeling work that will begin in March.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Province Begins Poultry Hygiene Inspections (0122-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province began hygiene inspections of poultry production and sale processes. This time, inspections will be carried out directly by provincial officials instead of by hired inspectors.

[Report]

▶ Jeil Market, Uijeongbu City

Inspection items will include the hygienic condition of poultry shops as well as compliance with expiry dates and country of origin indications.

▶ Moon Moo-soon / Uijeongbu City Resident

“I have no choice but to trust them. I know that inspectors come from time to time, so how can I not trust them?”

▶ Hygiene Inspections by Hired Inspectors May Be Ineffective

Hygiene inspections performed by hired inspectors may have limitations in ensuring hygiene in the poultry industry. In fact, hygiene issues often arise even with large producers.

▶ Provincial Officials to Conduct Inspections

From this year, Gyeonggi Province will dispatch hygiene inspection officials to all poultry butcheries in the province.

▶ Kim Seong-sik / Director, Gyeonggi Province Animal Quarantine Division

“We have already allocated inspection officials for ten poultry butcheries in the province.”

▶ International Standard Hygiene Inspections

These officials will conduct poultry food safety inspections based on international hygiene standards.

▶ [PIP] Lee Yeon-suk / Inspector, Gyeonggi Northern Livestock & Veterinary Service

“Inspections performed by public officials will help ensure objectivity and completeness.”

The provincially-initiated hygiene inspections will also enhance the credibility of the safety of poultry products for consumers.

Article 4. Gyeonggi Announces Land Policies for 2016 (0125-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province recently announced its land administration policies for 2016. These policies are largely the continuation of the previous year’s resident-orientated policies that primarily focus on resolving inconveniences experienced by residents.

[Report]

▶ 2016 Land Administration Policies of Gyeonggi Province.

Land administration policies are reformed annually based on circumstantial requirements.

▶ Land Transaction Approval Requirement Zone Designation

One principal policy is the designation of land transaction approval requirement zones.

The objective of such designations is to prevent speculative investments in certain areas which may disrupt realty transaction orders.

▶ Realtor Management & Monitoring Team

Gyeonggi Province will also continue team-based monitoring of realtors to prevent illegal transaction practices.

▶ Lee Jeong-hwan / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Land Administration Team

“The Realtor Management & Monitoring Team was established last year and has since visited approximately 6,000 realtors and uncovered more than 600 illegal practices.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Real Estate Portal Site

The Gyeonggi provincial real estate information portal, which averages approximately half a million visitors daily, will also be enhanced with additional contents.

▶ Street Name-based Address Promotion

Gyeonggi Province has introduced a street name-based address promotion system through which individuals using the old house number-based addresses are provided with guidance in the new address system.

These land policies of Gyeonggi Province are geared to improve resident convenience in a variety of ways.

Article 5. Online Shop Points Used for Charities (160119-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]

A GTV reporter examined a charity program of Gyeonggi Province that has been in operation since 2012. It involves a major internet shopping mall in Korea, Interpark. In this program, Gyeonggi Province donates the same amount of points as donated by shoppers.

[Report]

Chae (채) is one of the Interpark users who regularly donate the points offered by the mall as rewards for their purchases. Our reporter met with him at his home.

▶ Chae Gyu-min / Ansan City resident

“This charity program is very convenient since we can join while shopping at home without having to visit charity organizations.”

▶ Online Charity Program Operated by Gyeonggi Province since 2012

This joint charity program was launched in cooperation with Interpark under title of Charity Point Donation Campaign.

▶ Rodem’s House, Yangpyeong County

Housing facilities for individuals with disabilities are the beneficiaries of the donations comprised of the collected points donated by Interpark users and an equal amount donated by Gyeonggi Province.

▶ Donations from Gyeonggi Province & Interpark Users

Used for Housing Facilities for Individuals with Disabilities

This year, five facilities received daily necessities that were purchased using point donations of KRW 20 million and Gyeonggi Province’s matching contribution.

▶ Lee Jeong-sun / Social Worker, Rodem’s House

“We are more grateful knowing that the donation from Gyeonggi Province was from the donations made by officials from their salaries.”

This charity program is very convenient for shoppers since they can join the program easily and are notified of the recipient of their donations.

▶ Kim Gui-ok / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Sharing Culture team

“I think that the appeal of this program is the ease of donation and the transparency of its use to donors. We will continue to promote sharing among the public while helping neighbors in difficult situations.”

The Charity Point Donation Program is, in fact, an effective means of expanding sharing culture in Gyeonggi Province.

Article 6. Business Startup Support by Gyeonggi Women’s Institute (160120-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center announced the scope of this year’s business startup support and began receiving applications for support that include residence at the center.

[Report]

▶ Purume Tea Co. / GWDC Residential Enterprise

A devoted tea developer for the past ten years, Seok (석) had struggled to establish her own business until she was accepted by the Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center three years ago. She now enjoys annual sales of KRW 250 million.

▶ Seok Bo-young / Founder of Furume Tea Co.

“I needed a space for business. That was why I initially turned to the center. However, I was provided with support in more areas such as product certification, promotion via trade exhibitions and …”

▶ Gyeonggi Calligraphy Design Center / GWDC Residential Enterprise

Kim, the founder of the Gyeonggi Calligraphy Design Center, also enjoys her thriving business thanks to support from the center that includes the provision of business space and consultation services.

▶ Applications for Residence Received at GWDC

The Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center is currently receiving applications for residence at its business incubation facilities.

▶ Comprehensive Business Support Provided to Resident Enterprises

The center will then select six enterprises this year and provide them with comprehensive business startup support. Out of 180 women who have been admitted to the facilities to date, approximately 50 percent are currently active in their business operations.

▶ Kim Jeong-rye / Administration Team Manager, GWDC

“Our business startup support has expanded this year to include the provision of annual operational support of KRW 2 million to each graduate of our business incubation center.”

Applications will be received until February 14. Detailed application information is available from the Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center homepage.

Article 7. Waste-to-Energy Incineration Plant in Gyeonggi Province (160122-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

There are waste incineration plants in Gyeonggi Province that double as power plants and are generating profits by selling electricity made with renewable heat energy from the incinerators. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Anyang Waste Incineration Plant

At this waste incineration plant, 200 tons of waste is burned daily on average. Like other waste incineration plants, it used to emit large amounts of carbon as well as foul odors.

However, this plant is now environmentally much cleaner thanks to modern waste management and power generation facilities that transform waste into electric energy.

▶ Kim Chang-gon / Manager, Anyang Waste Incineration Plant

“We produce electricity using the heat generated from the incinerators. We use part of the electricity in our plant and sell the remainder to KEPCO. This process also entitles us to RECs that we can sell to other power generation plants.”

▶ RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates):

▶ Tradable proof of electricity generation from renewable energy sources

Since RECs can be traded, power plants may purchase these certificates and use them to fulfill their renewable energy generation quotas. Those power plants unable to fulfill these requirements pay penalties. However, by purchasing RECs, they can resolve the situation economically without having to invest in renewable energy generation facilities.

▶ Gyeonggi Province to Sell RECs from February

Gyeonggi Province installed turbine generators at incineration plants in Anyang (안양) and Ansan (안산) two years ago, and has since earned 3,351 RECs, which will be sold to 17 power plant operators from February.

▶ Kim Soo-hyung / Gyeonggi Province Environmental Facilities Team Official

“Since renewable energy generation has multiple benefits including reduced environmental contamination, energy production and profit generation, we will expand power generation facilities at other waste incineration plants in the province.”

Gyeonggi Province plans to use the profits from this energy production for other environment projects.

Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.

We look forward to seeing you again next week.