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. Youth Employment Measures to be Expanded (0828-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Following the Korean government’s announcement of comprehensive youth employment measures this past July, Gyeonggi Province began developing tematic province-level youth employment policies.

[Report]

▶ 1.16 Million Youths Unemployed in Korea

There are 1.16 million youths who are still unable to enter the workforce in Korea. This number is expected to rise when a compulsory minimum retirement age of 60 goes into effect at larger organizations next year.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Begins Developing Measures against Employment Barrier

Gyeonggi Province’s initial efforts will focus on supplementing the policies initiated by and will be implemented in cooperation with the central government.

The Win-win Employment Support Policy, for example, requires public enterprises as well as private enterprises with more than 300 employees to adopt a compulsory minimum retirement age of 60. To compensate for reduced job availability for youths, annual salary support of KRW 10.8 million will be provided for every newly employed youth for two years.

The existing youth employment projects will be modified to improve employment information. Gyeonggi Province’s New Deal Youth Employment Program will also be strengthened.

The promotion of customized university education for industrial needs through the establishment of contract-based courses will be expanded.

▶ Kim Tae-hyeon / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Employment Policy Team

“Comprehensive measures will include manpower quality improvement through vocational training and education for youths as well as the promotion of youth employment through incentives for organizations.”

Gyeonggi Province will finalize its comprehensive youth employment policies next month. These active steps of the central and provincial governments will hopefully help resolve the long-standing youth employment issues of the province.

Article 2. Korean Youth Soccer Teams Return from Pyeongyang (0826)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The youth soccer teams of Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon (강원) Province returned safely from the International Youth Football Tournament held in Pyeongyang (평양) even while military tensions rose between the two Koreas.

[Report]

▶ Incheon International Airport (August 25)

South Korean Youth Football Teams Return from Pyeongyang

When tensions surged after an incident between the two Koreas, the safety of the teams became a national concern.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“You opened up the gate to the South-North conversation and came back safely as peace messengers. I heartily welcome you back.”

Nevertheless, South and North Korean personnel agreed on the continued stay of the South Korean teams until the end of the tournament.

▶ Yoo Tae-mok / Gyeonggi Province Youth Football Team Coach

“We were worried. There was even a time when we feared we might have to return without finishing the tournament.”

Despite military tensions, 60,000 spectators filled the arena to watch the game between Gyeonggi Province and North Korea. The Gyeonggi team ultimately lost that game 3 to nil.

▶ Gang Min-seung / Gyeonggi Province Youth Football Team Member

“The North Korean team showed excellent teamwork even for 15-year-olds. They were strong, fast, and better skilled than us.”

During matches against other countries, most North Korean spectators were said to have supported South Korean teams.

▶ Lim Jae-hyeok / Gyeonggi Province Youth Football Team Member

“We were happy to compete with the North Korean teams. We had friendly conversations together and shared the sentiment of looking forward to meeting again in Yeoncheon in October.”

▶ Pyeongyang, DPR Korea (August 21-24)

The 2nd International Youth (U-15) Football Tournament

This tournament featured eight teams from six nations including the Gyeonggi and Gangwon (강원) teams and two North Korean teams that won first and second place. Teams from China, Uzbekistan and Brazil also participated. The Gyeonggi Province team ranked fifth.

Article 3. 25 Years of Gyeonggi–Kanagawa Sisterhood Relations (0825)

[Anchor’s Headline]

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the sisterhood relationship between Gyeonggi Province and Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. To commemorate the occasion, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture visited Gyeonggi Province to discuss inter-regional cooperation and exchange.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (August 24)

Gyeonggi Province – Kanagawa Prefecture Joint Statement Announcement

On August 24, the heads of the two regions signed a joint statement regarding the strengthening of ties through cooperative endeavors in economic, cultural and athletic sectors.

The statement also included an agreement on cooperation in response to aging society issues, one of the significant common issues both regions are experiencing. During the meeting, Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa Yuji invited Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil to the upcoming Pre-disease Condition Conference. Governor Nam gave a positive answer.

▶ Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa Yuji

“I believe that exchanges between autonomous bodies, independent from the inter-national level, are very important.”

During friendly discussions, Governor Nam recalled Governor Kuroiwa’s efforts to prevent the Japanese government from denigrating Korea and expressed his appreciation.

▶ Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa Yuwuji

“As a Japanese citizen, I feel ashamed of the ‘hate speech’ you just mentioned.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“I think now is an important time for the relationship between Korea and Japan. We look forward to your continued interest in our relationship to help both countries advance with future-oriented perspectives.”

The sisterhood relationship between Gyeonggi Province and Kanagawa Prefecture was ratified in 1990. The two regions have since maintained close cooperation in personnel exchanges, sports and cultural events, and investments.

Article 4. Gyeonggi’s S-N Exchange Projects Gain Momentum (0827)

[Anchor’s Headline]

High-level meetings between South and North Korea ended recently with a dramatic agreement on a number of agendas. This new development gave additional impetus to Gyeonggi Province’s North Korean projects. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ 6 Agendas Agreed between South & North Korea

[CG] On August 25, South and North Korean officials shook hands with each other while smiling as they concluded an agreement on six agendas that include various private sector exchanges.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Expands North Korea Projects

Gyeonggi Province has already expanded its North Korean projects, adding eleven new projects and increasing budgets from KRW 6 billion to KRW 7 billion in total.

▶ Nam Gung-hwang / Director, Gyeonggi Province Unification Foundation Division

“The agreement on private sector exchange promotion will accelerate the implementation of the provincial projects.”

▶ Suspended Gyeonggi Provincial Projects to Resume

Some of Gyeonggi Province’s North Korean projects that were suspended due to tensions between the two Koreas will now be resumed. Such projects include the Gaeseong (개성) Traditional Korean House Preservation Project launched in 2012 and the South-North Joint Malaria Prevention Project that began in 2008.

▶ Nam Gung-hwang / Director, Gyeonggi Province Unification Foundation Division

“We have already begun talking with North Korean officials regarding the Gaesung Korean House project, the Malaria prevention project and individual village projects.”

▶ Gyeonggi to Hold 3rd International Youth Football (U-15) Tournament in October

Despite sanctions after the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan (천안) by North Korea, Gyeonggi Province has continued exchanges with North Korea.

Gyeonggi Province will host the 3rd International Youth Football Tournament, which is to be held in Yeoncheon (연천) in October with the participation of North Korean teams.

Article 5. Gyeonggi to Boost Employment of Baby Boom Generation (0826-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]

The post-war generation, also known as the baby boom generation, is regarded in Korea as those born between 1955 and 1963. While the compulsory retirement of baby boomers increases rapidly, Gyeonggi Province has begun to develop ways in which to create alternative jobs for this generation.

[Report]

Ha recently took an honorary retirement after twelve years of public service and is now helping his wife in her restaurant. He is prepared to start the second phase of his life and has obtained a vocational certificate. However, he hasn’t had success finding a new job even with his qualifications.

▶ Ha Hyeon-ho / Baby Boom Generation Job Searcher

“There are only simple jobs, day jobs or short-term positions available to us. It is simply not possible to find mid- or long-term employment.”

▶ Average Retirement Age: 53

The average retirement age among baby boomers is 53; that age is decreasing while average life expectancy is increasing. Many baby boomers support their children and parents, and still have to prepare for a real retirement that they cannot yet afford.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Middle-Age Employment Center (August 25)

Job Creation Strategy Meeting

Gyeonggi Province invited specialists to discuss ways in which to create new jobs for middle-aged individuals and to resolve the requirement mismatch between job searchers and employers.

▶ Park Yeong-woo / Manager, Sales Headquarters, Royal & Company

“During our recent recruitment drive, we found that there is a very strong tendency for applicants to prefer office and managerial work.”

There are a number of employment service organizations, but few provide useful employment information or one-stop desks for middle-aged individuals.

▶ Gyeonggi to Develop Baby Boomer Employment Policies Based on Reality

Instead of devising policies based on ideology, Gyeonggi Province will develop practical policies based on real problems existing in the field.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil

“We will investigate problems in the field and consider ways in which to fulfill requirements. The development of advanced tems for effective communication may also help.”

Based on the findings at the field meeting, Gyeonggi Province plans to announce finalized baby boom generation employment policies in October.

Article 6. Gyeonggi Opens Multilingual Medical Service Homepage (0824)

[Anchor’s Headline]

More than half of the foreigners visiting Korea for medical treatment purposes are said to have been aided by hospital and travel information found on the internet. Recognizing the importance of such information for tourists, Gyeonggi Province opened related web pages in multiple languages.

[Report]

▶ Medical Tourists Increased 56% Last Year

The annual number of medical tourists in Gyeonggi Province increased 56 percent from 25,000 in 2013 to nearly 40,000 in 2014.

▶ 55% of Medical Tourists Decided to Visit after Internet Search

According to a recent survey, 55 percent of the medical tourists who came to Korea based their travel decisions on information found online. However, they pointed out a lack of multilingual medical service information and medical tourism packages as major obstacles.

▶ Medical Korea Gyeonggi Opened for Foreign Medical Tourists

Gyeonggi Province recently reformed its medical service homepage to provide medical and tourism information in English, Chinese and Russian.

▶ Lee Geon-jae / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Int’l Medical Service Team

“There has been a pressing need for a multilingual homepage. This new homepage was designed from the user’s perspective to provide information about the advanced medical services found in Gyeonggi Province.”

From this homepage, not only can visitors find detailed hospital information in each medical category, they can also make online enquiries in their own language.

▶ Information on Shopping, Leisure, Culture & Tour Packages

There is also information about shopping, leisure, culture and tour packages, enabling medical visitors to get all necessary information from one source.

▶ Medical Korea Gyeonggi: koreamedical.or.kr

Users may refer to visitor reviews for their selection of hospitals and share information with others easily via links to social networking services.

In order to improve information accessibility for homepage visitors from overseas, Gyeonggi Province also plans to make the information available on mobile devices.

Article 7. Wine Festival Held at Gwangmyeong Cave (0824)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gwangyeong (광명) Cave has established itself as a tourist destination for local residents and visitors. Recently, this cave became the venue for a wine festival featuring more than a hundred Korean wine products.

[Report]

▶ Gwangmyeong Cave Korean Wine Festival (August 21-23)

At this festival, a large variety of Korean wine brands are displayed along the wall of a dimly lit passage. Some are even offered to visitors for tasting.

▶ Lee Eun-saem / Jung-2-dong, Bucheon City

“It is cool in here. A nice place to escape from the heat. It is a good opportunity to taste wines made in Korea.”

Being the only cave around Seoul, the Gwangmyeong (광명) Cave was once a mine that was closed in 1972 and then reopened to the public as a tourist spot in 2011.

▶ More than 100 Wine Products Sold

More than a hundred local specialty wines from around Korea made with various medicinal herbs and fruits are being sold at the cave.

▶ GTV Reprter Kim Tae-hui

“While the temperature outside hovers around 30 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside the cave is much cooler at 15 degrees on average, an ideal temperature for storing wines.”

The festival was organized to publicize the cave. It is also supported by several local governments under an agreement for the promotion of their wine products. Outside the cave, there are a number of wine booths at which visitors can taste wines of their choice. Bottles are also sold at low prices. On the first day of the festival, a wine contest was held in which fifty judges selected the best wine.

▶ Gwang,yeong City Mayor Yang Gi-dae

“The Gwangmyeong Cave became the first venue for a wine festival that features wine products from around the nation. We will continue to hold this event so as to help domestic wine producers and farmers.”

This wine festival provided a good promotional opportunity to wine-producing farmers who otherwise have few means of marketing their products. Domestic wine products will continue to be displayed in the wine cave section of the site.

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

We look forward to seeing you again next week.