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 Begins Holiday Traffic Management (150723-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]

Gyeonggi Province designated the period from July 24 to August 9 for the special management of summer holiday traffic, and is implementing temporary measures so as to ease travel during this busy vacation season.

[Report]

▶ Holiday Traffic to Peak 1st Week of August
Holiday traffic is expected to reach its peak in the first week of August.

[CG] According to authorities, 40 percent of summer holiday makers are expected to take to the road during this period.

[CG-Overlap] More than 80 percent of them will be using their own vehicles. The busiest outbound traffic will be seen on August 1 and during return journeys on August 2.

▶ Special Traffic Management (from July 24 to August 9)
Temporary management measures include the dispersion of traffic and the expansion of public transportation services as well as the provision of real-time traffic information.

▶ [PiP] Son Jae-hoon / Gyeonggi Province Transportation Policy Division Official
“Thirty reserved long-distance buses are being utilized for additional operations on 19 routes connecting popular holiday destinations such as Gangneung and Sokcho.”

▶ Public Transportation Services Expanded through Additional Bus and Taxi Operations
Bus departures were adjusted and taxi operations were temporarily expanded to accommodate increased travel demand.

▶ Internet (gits.gg.go.kr)

▶ Mobile App (Gyeonggi Traffic Info)

▶ Radio

▶ Traffic Information Hotline (1688-9090)
Real-time traffic information for holiday makers is being provided via the internet, mobile apps, radio and social networking services as well as Gyeonggi Province’s Traffic information hotline.

▶ Traffic Dispersion Using On-the-Road Information
Traffic information featuring alternative routes and expressway ramps is also displayed along roads in more congested areas.

▶ Son Jae-hoon / Gyeonggi Province Transportation Policy Division Official
“More than anything, safe driving is important. Get enough rest when driving long distances, always wear safety belts and observe traffic rules for a safe and enjoyable vacation.”

For a safe and enjoyable vacation, don’t forget to check the traffic information before you leave.

Article 2. #8110 Red Buses Work for Gyeonggi-Seoul Commuters (0720)

[Anchor’s Headline]
The introduction of red bus route 8110 has proven successful as the number of standing passengers decreased to half since its operation began between Seongnam (성남) City and Seoul in May.

[Report]
Red buses on route 8110 were introduced to alleviate difficulties faced by commuters when standing passengers on red buses were banned a year ago.

[CG-Overlap] On the first day of operation, 1,400 passengers used these buses, and the number has since grown rapidly to a daily average of 2,500 passengers in June.

▶ Standing Passengers Decrease 47%
The number of standing passengers on red buses between Seongnam (성남) and Seoul has decreased 47 percent from 660 passengers daily in April to 350 passengers in June.

▶ Seo Sang-rok / Seohyun-dong, Seongnam City
“Before the introduction of 8110 red buses, commuting was a problem in terms of both travel time and comfort. Now I travel to Seohyun comfortably seated.”

[CG] The 8110 red buses run on a route to Seoul that serves more Gyeonggi residents than those that run on the more congested route to Seoul Station.

▶ Lim So-il / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Metropolitan Bus Team
“Operating efficiency during morning commuting hours increased 1.5 times from 1.1 runs per bus to 1.7 runs, and…”

▶ Seated Bus Fare for Teens to be Lowered from KRW 2,100 to KRW 1,800
Another news item about bus operations is that the seated bus fare for children under 19 years of age will be lowered to KRW 1,800 from August. The current fare is KRW 2,100 when paid in cash and KRW 1,780 when paid with transportation cards.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Feed Producer Develops Supplementary Feed for Cattle (0722)

[Anchor’s Headline]
An animal feed producer in Gyeonggi Province has succeeded in developing a supplementary cattle feed made from cotton seeds, an essential ingredient for cattle feed that has been imported solely from the United States.

[Report]
There has been a pressing need for the localization of this supplementary cattle feed. However, a considerable investment was needed to develop the technology to produce feed from cotton seeds.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Assisted Development of Cotton Seed Feed
Thanks to support provided by Gyeonggi Province in 2013, this feed manufacturer was able to develop a KRW 160 million proprietary technology with 60 percent of the cost covered by the province.

▶ GTV Reporter Son Si-eun
“Seeds are collected after harvesting fluffy cotton like this and putting it through a coating process to produce a nutritious supplementary feed for cattle.”

▶ Costs Less than Imported Feed
The cotton seed feed produced by this company is KRW 100 cheaper per kilogram than the American feed.

▶ Localization to be Realized in October
The primary purchaser, Nonghyup, will replace the imported feed with the local feed in October when the contract with the American supplier expires.

▶ Kim Yeong-il / Director, Egreen Technology Development Center
“With our own production technology, the supply of cotton seed feed that has been dominated by American suppliers can now be replaced with a domestic product.”

Gyeonggi Province has been providing development support to SMEs like this company that possess technological potential.

▶ Lim Chang-gyu / Gyeonggi Institute of Science & Technology Promotion Official
“We have so far provided support totaling KRW 103 billion to 530 enterprises, and saw sales increase by KRW 290 billion and the creation of 2,100 new jobs.”

International business and job creation potential will continue to be the primary factors for Gyeonggi Province’s technology development support.

Article 4. Gyeonggi and Court Join to Help Financially Disadvantaged

[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province recently secured an agreement with the Suwon District Court for the expedition of legal processes for financially disadvantaged individuals so as to help them get back on their feet. The provincial government also plans to provide such individuals with financial consultations and welfare support.

[Report]
There are approximately 27,000 personal revival and 12,000 personal bankruptcy applications currently filed with courts in Gyeonggi Province.

▶ Gyeonggi R&DB Center (July 22)
‘Fast Track’ Agreement between Gyeonggi Province & Suwon District Court
The purpose of this agreement is to shorten the processing time of these applications, which usually takes more than ten months.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“This agreement introduces a tem that can shorten the legal processing time so that those who need help can get it quickly.”

▶ Financial Fast Track Desk to be Established at Court
According to the agreement, a special desk will be established at court for the expedited processing of such applications. Applicants who are under heavy debt loads will also be provided with free legal services and debtor relief options.

▶ Seong Nak-song / President, Suwon District Court
“We will speed up the process of reviewing personal revival and bankruptcy applications through simplified investigations and procedures.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province to Open a Financial Consultation Center
In addition to this agreement, Gyeonggi Province will also open a financial consultation center for residents facing financial difficulties.

▶ Lim In-seop / Consultant, Gyeonggi Province Financial Consultation Center
“Consultation services will be available either online or by telephone. Those who require in-depth consultation support will be linked with one of our six branches for one-on-one services so that these individuals can regain financial independence.”

This center will not only provide its users with financial and legal consultation services, but also liaison with welfare support networks for maximum support.

Article 5. 2015 Gyeonggi Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities

[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Province Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities was held in the province for three days from July 22. Our reporter was there.

[Report]

▶ 2015 Gyeonggi Province Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities (July 22 – 24)
This annual competition was held at three venues in the province: the Seongnam (성남) Campus of Korea Polytechnics, the Hwaseong (화성) City Women’s Vision Center, and the Korea National University of Welfare. Competitors vied in a number of occupational skill categories including woodcrafts, computers, and fashion design.

▶ [PiP] Kim Hwan-hyung / Uijeongbu-1dong, Uijeongbu City
“I think I will become more confident after this competition. I hope that I can work side by side with people without disabilities as a member of a group someday.”

Our reporter also visited the visual design competition section.

▶ Choi Chang-min / Paldal-gu, Suwon City
“It is my dream to find a visual design-related job. It may not be easy because I have a communication problem due to a hearing impairment.”

▶ Gold Medalists Will Enter National Competition
More than 200 competitors participated in 28 vocational categories. Those with excellent performances will be exempted from practice tests when applying for skill certification. Those who won gold medals will represent the province at the national competition, which will also be held in Gyeonggi Province.

▶ Gang Yoon-gu / Director, Gyeonggi Province Social Job Opportunities Division
“This competition aims to help improve the recognition of people with disabilities in society and among enterprises and to promote their employment.”

For people with disabilities, finding a job may often be a challenge more difficult to overcome than their physical condition. The skills competition is a valuable opportunity to show their capabilities.

Article 6. Unknown Remote Village Reborn as Sunflower Village (0723)

[Anchor’s Headline]
An unknown and remote village in Yangpyeong (양평) County of Gyeonggi Province was reborn as the ‘Sunflower Village’ after a transformation guided by an agricultural institute of the province.

[Report]

▶ Sunflower Village, Muwang-ri, Jipyeong-myeon, Yangpyeong County
This village was once surrounded by landfills, but is now a proud host of the annual Sunflower Festival that attracts many tourists.

▶ Mun Seon / Tourist
“I was happy, and it was fun, too. This ‘Sunflower Village’ made me want to come back with my family.”

▶ GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hui
“This sea of sunflowers is like a picture. Sunflower fields also come together perfectly with Muwang-ri village itself.”

This formerly isolated village that was previously visited by buses only twice a day has now become a lively community.

▶ Kim Gi-nam / Muwang-ri Village Sunflower Festival Committee Chairman
“This was an utterly isolated village with few visitors. We now have many visiting cars and tourists, and there is always laughter in our village.”

It was the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services that helped rebuild this village. The institute also linked the village to
a sunflower seed processing enterprise in Jeju (제주) Province, doubling the income of villagers. GARES will continue to work with villagers to develop product lines using sunflower seeds for production within the village.

▶ Lee Sang-pil / GARES Small & Strong Farm Technical Support Team
“The landfills upstream prevented the development of this village. We advised villagers to plant sunflowers on a large scale and…”

Sunflowers in this village are not only found in the form of plants. They are everywhere in pictures and sculptures created by artists who are also members of this Sunflower Village. This year’s Sunflower Festival, which marked its second occasion, ran for two days on July 23 and 24.

Article 7. Gyeonggi ‘Entrepreneur of the Month’ Awards (0722)

[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center, or GSBC, has been presenting ‘Proud Entrepreneur of the Province’ awards to select businesspeople in the province on a monthly basis. Our reporter visited one of the award winners.

[Report]

▶ BARSKOREA, Bucheon City
Shaved ice desserts have become very popular in Korea in recent years. This shaved ice dessert machine manufacturer in Gyeonggi Province supplies the machine to domestic buyers as well as to more than thirty countries including the United States. The founder of this company attributes his success to export mentoring support from GSBC.

▶ Lee Gi-choon / CEO of BARSKOREA
“The greatest difficulty was to find ways in which to sell our products overseas. I simply didn’t know where to start. The mentoring service (provided by GSBC) guided me through the entire process.”

This company was selected for this award based on its successful business performance.

[CG] Awards are presented monthly to those enterprises that achieve remarkable increases in sales or exports, make social contributions, or enhance the prestige of Gyeonggi Province.

▶ Kim Tae-han / Head of Business Management Headquarters, GSBC
“There are approximately 700,000 small and medium businesses in Gyeonggi Province, of which 15,000 are the recipients of our support. Every month, we present awards to those selected from among these enterprises.”

The objective of the ‘Proud Entrepreneur of the Province’ awards is to promote excellent enterprises. Next month’s award presentation will take place on August 4.

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