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.Inland Cargo Transportation Enterprise Law (0202-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province proposed an amendment to the Inland Cargo Transportation Enterprise Law so as to prevent illegal exploitation of national fuel subsidies by those truck operators who conspire with gas stations to fake fuel purchase amounts.

[Report]

▶Gas Station in Yangju
This gas station has been an accomplice of110 truck operators in such fraudulent acts.
[CG]Simply by having the gas station ring up inflated amounts, truck operators were able to collect extra money through subsidies that are paid to Cargo Transportation Welfare Card holders for fuel purchases.

▶Excessive Subsidies of KRW 170 Million Paid since January 2013
Since January of 2013, these truck operators illicitly received KRW 170 million in subsidies by faking fuel purchase amounts through this method.

▶GTV Reporter Choi Chang-sun
“The problem is that there are no criminal charges applicable to this type of offense besides administrative action.”
Such illicit practices are widespread since confiscation of the card is the only legally applicable punishment. The cards are reissued after six to twelve months if the overpaid subsidy amounts are voluntarily returned.

▶Overpaid National Subsidies for Faked Fuel Purchases over the Past 3 Years
KRW 14.8 Billion in 14,492 Cases (KRW 3.6 Billion in 4,854 Cases in Gyeonggi Province)
Over the past three years, more than 4,800 cases of faked fuel purchases have been uncovered in Gyeonggi Province; these cases resulted in subsidy overpayments of KRW 3.6 billion. Nationally, the amount is nearly KRW 15 billion from more than 14,000 cases.
[CG]Gyeonggi Province’s proposed law amendment specifies a penalty of up to two years imprisonment or a fine of KRW 20 million as well as administrative actions for illegal subsidy claims.

▶Lee Se-jeong / Director, Gyeonggi Province Railroad and Logistics Division
“This amendment will eliminate illegal practices and prevent the leakage of tax payer money out of the national treasury.”
The related Korean ministry has reportedly responded positively to Gyeonggi Province’s proposal for an amendment to the law for stronger penalties.

Article 2.Government 3.0Regional Forum Held in Gyeonggi Province(0204-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Government 3.0 is a new administration paradigm of the Korean government that aims to provide customized public services and develop a creative economy. To promote its principles, the related ministry held are gional forum in Bucheon (부천) City of Gyeonggi Province.

[Report]

▶Moraetgol Village, Siheung
This village in Shiheung (시흥) City is currently undergoing major renewals. Street lamps are being installed on secluded roads and hazardous old streets are being renovated. Resting are as are also being installed for seniors. These urban improvements are practical examples of Government 3.0in which villagers participated in the entire process from the initial planning stage.

▶Kim Mi-yeong / Resident, Participant in Urban Improvement Planning
“We continuously communicated (with public officials) throughout the process and became mutually dependable companions, which was wonderful.”

▶Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (February 3)
BucheonGovernment 3.0 Regional Forum
The principles of Government 3.0 are based on transparent, competent and service-oriented administrative practices.

▶Anyang City Introduces Mobile Safety Service
Another example of Government 3.0 is the introduction of a smart phone application by Anyang (안양) City that connects with CCTVs to ensure road safety.

▶Bucheon City Introduces Welfare Delivery System
Bucheon (부천) City introduced a Welfare Delivery System that eliminates complex welfare application procedures through site visits by officials. During the Government 3.0 regional forum, exemplary cases were presented and the support necessary for the realization of Government 3.0 was discussed.

▶Government Administration & Home Affairs Vice Minister Jeong Jae-geum
“The ministry plans to designate about six local administrations as exemplary Government 3.0 practitioners and will provide them with incentives and advisory services.”
Local governments are responding positively to this new administration paradigm, and are willing to change accordingly. How much they are willing to change remains to be seen.
 

Article 3.Gyeonggi Residents Participate in Provincial Government Complex Design (0202-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]
On January 30, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government invited residents and architectural specialists to present ideas for the design and construction of the new provincial government complex.

[Report]
Gyeonggi Women’s Vision Center (January 30)

▶Provincial Government Complex Construction Idea Meeting
Participants draw images of their ideal Gyeonggi provincial government complex of the future on large sheets of drawing paper. They create places that offer ample spaces for the diverse enjoyments of visiting members of the public and their children.

▶Kim Dong-hyeon / Interior Shop Manager, Ansan
“Let us talk about how we can utilize public architecture and public design spaces.”

▶Citizens and Specialists Offer Design Ideas
During the meeting, specialists presented professional opinions and citizens proposed their design ideas.

▶Sin Sang-lin / Meeting Participant
“I think that the contents of our ideas must reflect humanity.”
More than a hundred citizens including university students and seniors as well as engineers and architectural designers who attended the meeting offered their ideas, some of which were described in detail on drawing paper or simply written in notebooks.

▶Kim Na-wum / Representative of Design Commissioned Enterprise
“We will prepare an initial design reflecting public opinion. We will then organize a public hearing to present the preliminary plan.”
Instead of inviting pre-conceived, detailed plans for a competition, this meeting was organized to encourage participants, mostly residents without construction or engineering knowledge, to propose fresh ideas on the spot.

▶GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hee
“The opinions proposed at this meeting will be reflected in the new Gyeonggi provincial government complex when it opens in 2018. This is Kim Tae-hee, GTV News.”

 
Article 4.Gyeonggi Province Intensifies Anti-Norovirus Information Service(0204-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a common cause of stomach and intestinal troubles affecting people of all ages in winter. Since the number of norovirus-infected patients rose rapidly this winter, Gyeonggi Province has intensified information services to prevent further infections.

[Report]
Park came to see a doctor after suffering from vomiting and diarrhea for days. He was diagnosed with a norovirus infection.

▶Park Won-gyu / Yeongtong-gu, Suwon
“I thought it was just a diarrhea. I was surprised to hear that I was infected with norovirus via food. I was also surprised that food poisoning can occur during the winter.”

[CG-Overlap]The number of gastroenteritis patients in Gyeonggi Province this winter increased two-fold compared to the previous winter.

▶Norovirus Resistant to Low Temperatures
It was the norovirus that caused the increased number of stomach and intestine infections this winter. The norovirus is resistant to low temperatures and can be transferred person-to-person or by touching surfaces contaminated by those infected. It is highly virulent; even a tiny amount can cause the onset of the disease.

▶GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hee
The most effective way to prevent norovirus infection is to wash one’s hands thoroughly under flowing water for a sufficient length of time.
It is especially important for restaurant personnel to maintain high sanitary standards.

▶Lee Hui-yeong / Vice Chief, Gyeonggi Province Infectious Disease Management Headquarters
“We are distributing information about the prevention and treatment of norovirus infections to residents through local health centers to prevent further spreading.”
If you experience symptoms of stomach or intestinal infection, a visit to your local health center is highly recommended.

 
Article 5.Safe Night Bus Service Begins in Gyeonggi Province(0203-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Since January 19, the Safe Night Bus Service began in Gyeonggi Provinceon a trial basis. This service aims to ensure the safety of passengers at night by allowing them to alight at safe locations of their choice.

[Report]
Especially those women who have to walk home from bus stops through dark streets at night welcome this service that is available after 10 pm.

▶SeoJeong-min / Geumgok-dong, Seongnam
“I often have to walk through dark streets when I come home late. It is frightening; I can’t help looking over my shoulder and walking fast.”
Women are more vulnerable in residential areas in which streets are much darker and quieter.

▶Passengers Can Alight at Safe Locations
During Safe Night Bus Service hours, passengers can alight at any location they deem safe.

▶Temporary Bus Stops in More Vulnerable Areas
These locations are essentially temporary bus stops designated in more vulnerable areas.

▶Service Begins after 10 pm Everyday
Any time after 10 pm, bus passengers may ask the driver to stop the bus at desired locations by ringing the bell or voicing their request.

▶16 Temporarily Extended Bus Stops Designated
Sixteen such temporarily extended bus stops have been designated in Gyeonggi Province.

▶Gang Seong-yeop / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province Bus Policy Division
“The trial operations are based on information gathered from local bus users and residents. The service will be expanded to the whole province in the second half of the year.”
For effective operation of the Safe Night Bus Service and better selection of service are as, Gyeonggi Province will continue to communicate with residents and monitor operations.
 
Article 6.Safety Instructor Contest Held in Gyeonggi Province(0202-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On January 30, the Fire Service of Gyeonggi Province held a safety instructor contest. There has been increasing demand for quality safety instructors along with heightened public awareness of safety.
[Report]

▶Suwon Fire Station (January 30)
The 1st Gyeonggi Province Safety Instructor Contest
A firefighter explains how to use a fire extinguisher. His instructions are clear and simple so as to help the audience better understand and use the equipment correctly in emergency situations.

▶Contestants from 29 Fire Stations Participate
Fire officials from twenty-nine fire stations in Gyeonggi Province participated in this contest. The top prize of this first contest went to the Uiwang (의왕) Fire Station. There were an unusually large number of accidents last year. Safety became a paramount social issue, and the necessity for safety education increased.

▶Son Jeong-won / Safety Instructor Contest First Prize Winner
“I ask myself if I was satisfied with my instructions. I think I would give myself 85 points. I will try to do better to make up for the lost 15 points.”

▶Improvement of Safety Instructor Standards through the Contest
The purpose of this contest is to motivate fire instructors to develop their instruction skills so as to provide more effective safety education.

▶GwonYeong-woo / Gyeonggi Province Disaster & Safety Headquarters Safety Culture Team
“There is an increasing social awareness of the importance of disaster and safety education. We receive ten times more education requests. We will continue to hold the safety instructor contest utilizing actual disaster cases.”
This contest is expected to help firefighters develop consistently high education skills that will help members of the public prevent and deal with safety incidents effectively.
 
Article 7.Stable Meat Prices Expected during Lunar New Year Holiday
[Anchor’s Headline]
Meat prices are very unstable, especially during outbreaks of avian influenza or foot-and-mouth disease. The Lunar New Year holiday is also a time during which meat prices usually soar, but such may not be the case this year. Our reporter examined why.

[Report]
Beef and chicken are essential ingredients for family memorial services on Lunar New Year’s Day in Korea. They are also popular gift items during this holiday season.

▶Oh Min-su / Yeongtong-gu, Suwon
“I bought larger than usual quantities of chicken, beef and fish for my family to eat during the Lunar New Year and weekend.”

▶Kim Seong-suk / Jeunja-2-dong, Suwon
“Prices seem steady although there is talk about foot-and-mouth disease.”

▶Stable Livestock Prices Expected
When foot-and-mouth disease or avian influenza occurs, livestock product prices either plummet or soar. In 2010, when both of these diseases occurred like now, Korean beef prices rose to KRW 15,000 per kilogram and chicken prices increased to KRW 10,600. However, beef prices are currently steady at KRW 13,000 and chicken prices at KRW 9,000.

▶Lee Cheol-woo / Section Manager, Agricultural Coop Suwon Distribution Center
“There are no signs of problems in the supply even after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. On the contrary, sales increased a little, thanks to the changed mindsets of consumers.”

▶Livestock Product Consumption Undiminished Despite AI and Foot-and-mouth Outbreaks
Despite outbreaks of both avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease this year, the consumption of livestock products has been unaffected since people now understand humans are immune.

▶Kim Seong-sik / Director, Gyeonggi Province Animal Quarantine Division
“Prices are stable with a slightly decreasing trend since tight quarantine measures are being taken and people no longer worry about the diseases jumping to humans.”
The stable supply of livestock products ensured by the effective control of the disease sand changed public perception of the diseases are keeping the prices of livestock products steady.

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