Article 1. Upcoming Korea-China FTA Boosts Value of Pyeongtaek Port (0922-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On September 19, a public forum was held to discuss the role of Pyeongtaek (평택) Port as a major gateway to China. The strategic importance of this port is now being re-illuminated as the signing of a free trade agreement between Korea and China is expected within this year.
[Report]
The negotiations for this agreement have been underway since 2012.
Pyeongtaek Port Has Grown Rapidly Since Opening in 1986
Opened only in 1986, Pyeongtaek (평택) Port saw its cargo traffic exceed the 100 million-ton mark in record time in Korea.
It has also been the nation’s largest automobile shipping port for the past four consecutive years. However, there are concerns about its limitations.
[Interview-PiP]Kim Seong-guk / Professor, Sungkyunkwan University
“Pyeongtaek Port will no doubt benefit from the Korea-China FTA. However, it should not be discounted that a larger port linked with a large airport is only a short distance away in Incheon…”
Korea-China FTA and Pyeongtaek Port Forum / Trade Center, Seoul (September 19)
This forum took place at the Trade Center in Seoul with specialists from industry and academia as well as from public offices.
Chinese Investment in Korea to Increase after Korea-China FTA
Chinese Ambassador to Korea ChooGwa Hong (추궈홍) stated that there will be a surge of Chinese investments in Korea after the Korea-China FTA.
Pyeongtaek Port Requires Specialization for Differentiation
As noted by Professor Kim, Pyeongtaek (평택) Port will benefit from the agreement since it is in a strategically ideal location for Chinese trade.
However, he also suggested that the differentiation of the port be pursued actively through specialization.
There were also observations on the importance of support from the central government.
[Interview]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“Gyeonggi Province will provide maximum support to enable Pyeongtaek Port to play a greater role as a bridge between Korea and China and as a major port in Northeast Asia.”
The future of Pyeongtaek Port remains to be seen.
However, a free trade agreement with China will undoubtedly have positive effects on Pyeongtaek (평택) in terms of both economy and international trade.
 
Article 2. 2014 Gyeonggi Science & Technology Exhibition (0923-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On September 23, the Gyeonggi Science and Technology Exhibition was held at Gwanggyo (광교) Techno Valley. This exhibition featured products developed by technology development project groups at technical cooperation centers in universities supported by Gyeonggi Province.
[Report]
2014 Gyeonggi Science & Technology Exhibition / Gwangyo Techno Valley (September 23)
At this booth, the application of a functional cosmetic product made with more than fifty natural ingredients is being demonstrated.
This product, which causes facial muscles to maintain a healthy form, was developed by a small enterprise with support from Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview]Shin Hyeong-seok / CEO, Cell Natural Corp.
“We had limited capabilities in R&D investment on which the future of small enterprises like us depends. Provincial support allowed us to continue our dreams for the future.”
This tension detection tem overcomes the limitations of CCTVs and barbed wire fences by detecting changes in tension and displaying the locations where such changes occur.
It was also developed at one of the twelve technical cooperation centers in universities which help enterprises in need of research support.
[Interview]Son Soo-kuk / Assistant Director, University of Suwon Technical Cooperation Center
“This program serves multiple purposes for teachers, students and participating enterprises by providing learning experiences and product development opportunities.”
260 Products Showcased at 46 Booths by 14 Technology Development Project Groups
This exhibition featured 260 products showcased at forty-six booths by fourteen technology development project groups.
614 Projects Received Support of KRW 94.1 Billion from Gyeonggi Province since 2008
Gyeonggi Province launched the industrial technology development support program in 2008 and has since provided KRW 94billion to 614 research projects that produced economic results 3.6 times the investment on average.
[Interview]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“Small enterprises have limitations in technology development. I believe cooperation with universities is a realistic solution.”
In addition to academic institutes, Gyeonggi Province also plans to utilize techno valleys in the operation of technical cooperation programs for small and medium businesses.
 
Article 3. Mitigation of Regulations on Industrial Facility Expansion (0924-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Korean government recently announced the mitigation of regulations on the expansion of industrial facilities in restricted areas. More than 300 factories in Gyeonggi Province are now able to increase their production capacities.
[Report]
Keil Pharmaceutical Company / Geungok-ri, Yongin
This pharmaceutical company in Yongin (용인) City has grown more than ten times since its establishment half a century ago.
However, its facilities remain the same as they were in 1986 since regulations made further expansion impossible.
Thanks to the efforts of Gyeonggi Province and Yongin (용인) City, this company was recently able to construct four more buildings to house production and quality assurance facilities.
This area was even designated an industrial zone this past July.
[Interview]Lee Chan-gwon / Managing Director, Jeil Pharm. Co.
“The industrial zone designation essentially removed many regulations. We are now planning to invest more than KRW 70 billion in new facilities, which will create more than 100 new jobs…”
The central and local governments of Korea have begun to recognize problems stemming from the irrationality of many regulations and are working hard on their mitigation.
Building-to-Land Ratio to Increase in Industrial Restriction Zones
The most common obstacle to facility expansion has been a low building-to-land ratio that prevented the construction of additional buildings.
[CG]With the increase of the ratio from 20 to 40 percent, more than 300 enterprises in Gyeonggi Province are now able to expand their facilities without having to purchase land.
[Interview]Park Soo-young / Chief Official Gyeonggi Province Regulatory Reformation Promotion Team
“With an increase from 20 to 40 percent, enterprises do not have to purchase additional land to expand their factories. This will also help them maintain competitiveness and…”
Gyeonggi Province will continue to identify and help resolve problems faced by industrial enterprises through on-site visits and meetings with industrial personnel.
 
Article 4. 234,000 New Jobs Expected This Year in Gyeonggi Province (0923-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province has made remarkable achievements in creating new jobs so far this year, and the prospects for the remainder of the year are also very bright. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
Hong Dae-yun / Community Center Security, Haenggung-dong, Suwon
Hong Dae-yun (홍대윤), age 56, got a job as a security guard at a community center in Suwon (수원) City through a city employment office in March.
His career as a professional soldier helped him secure the job right after leaving military service.
[Interview]Hong Dae-yun / Haneggung-dong, Suwon
“I told the employment consultant that I would be suitable for a job as a community center security guard. I was then asked to come over right away and then sent to city hall where I had an interview and was given the job I wanted then and there. Next morning, when I went to by bicycle, I didn’t feel the pressure of the pedals at all.”
[CG-partial]According to an analysis of recently announced statistics, there were262,000 more jobs on average during the period from January to August than during the same period last year.
This is far more than the targeted 130,000 jobs for this year and accounts for 45 percent of the national total.
Multiple Factors Influenced Creation of New Jobs
Multiple factors including changes in the economic environment and the stationing of employment consultants at local community centers contributed to this positive result.
[Interview]Moon Mi-seong / Chief of Gyeonggi Research Institute Creative Economy Research Office
“The increase in the number of manufacturing businesses, entrepreneurial businesses such as restaurants and accommodations, as well as health and social service establishments all contributed to the 42% increase in total employment (compared with the same period last year).”
Expected Number of New Jobs Created By End of This Year: 234,000 Jobs
Based on changes in job creation and local gross production during the first half of this year, the creation of 234,000 new jobs is expected by the end of this year.
New Job Creation Targetduring6th Popularly Elected Government Term: 700,000 Jobs
The current Gyeonggi provincial administration will strive to achieve the creation of the targeted 700,000 new jobs during its term.
[Interview-PiP]Han Yeon-hui / Director, Gyeonggi Province Employment Policy Division
“The employment review meeting chaired by the governor will be a regular feature in Gyeonggi Province. This meeting will be held once every quarter for the first year and twice a year thereafter.”
Gyeonggi Provincial Government to Announce Comprehensive Employment Plans
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government will soon announce comprehensive employment plans, a road map to job creation, consisting of provincial programs as well as programs undertaken in cooperation with the central government.
 
Article 5. Sign Language Cultural Festival & Contest (0923-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On September 19, a cultural festival for individuals with hearing impairments and a sign language contest were held at the Suwon Youth Center in Gyeonggi Province. Our reporter was there.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Cultural Festival for Individuals with Hearing Impairments & Sign Language Contest / Suwon Youth Center (September 19)
The performers in this play and dancing event communicate in sign language.
Although they cannot hear the music, they are none the less sincere in their performances and the audience is equally enthusiastic.
Sign Language Contest Incorporating Public Officials Sign language Contest
From this year, the sign language contest incorporated the previous public officials contest.
With an increased number of contestant teams, there was a greater variety of performances including songs, dramas and musicals.
[Interview]Kim Yeong-gil and Yoon Sa-rang / Anyang City Social Welfare Division Officials
“We participate in this event to better understand individuals with hearing impairments. I was impressed by their expressive ability and found that there is a lotto learn from them. I could also see the inconveniences they are facing.”
There was also a cultural festival outside the building.
Hearing Impairment Cultural Experience Booths
Booths were erected for visitors to communicate with individuals with hearing impairments through various games.
[Interview]Shin Dong-jin / Chairman, Gyeonggi Province Association of the Deaf
“This event is essentially a cultural festival for individuals with hearing impairments. But it is also an opportunity to communicate with the public through sign language as a complete language.”
This festival and sign language contest also aims to promote public understanding of individuals with hearing impairments.
GTV Reporter Lee Tae-hui
“It was a meaningful event in which participants and visitors communicated with each other and enjoyed beautiful performances.”
 
Article 6. Gyeonggi Launches Open Library Website with Administration Information (0924-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The previous Cyber Library of Gyeonggi Province was reorganized with additional features and opened under the new name of“365 Open Library”. This new provincial library website now offers comprehensive administrative research and publication information.
[Report]
“365 Open Library” Website of Gyeonggi Province Opens (http://lib.gg.go.kr)
The new online provincial library also integrates information offered by the central government.
Administrative Information and Academic Papers
Users can search a wide range of information either using an integrated quick search function or navigating through categorized sections.
In addition to the original library materials, new materials include provincial and national administrative information as well as academic papers and journals.
The integrated search function enables users to locate the required material by entering simple key words and to view the information in a document or e-book format.
[Interview]Lee Song-ja / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Open Library
“The new provincial library website can be characterized as an information portal. We plan to integrate the human resource development centers, the provincial assembly and the northern provincial government complex in information searches.”
Realization of Public Data Disclosure for Industrial Advancement
Through the phased integration of proprietary provincial data, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government aims to fulfill its commitment to public data disclosure for the advancement of industry.
 
Article 7. Gyeonggi Institute Develops Effective Green Algae Inhibitor (0925-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A new water filtering tem developed in Gyeonggi Province has proven effective in eliminating green algae. This tem has been tested in water purification facilities in the province.
[Report]
These findings were recently announced by the Paldang (팔당) Water Quality Improvement Headquarters.
Green Algae Produce Toxic Substances with Foul Odor
The headquarters plans to use this tem to control the contamination of provincial waters, especially drinking water sources, by green algae that produce foul-smelling and toxic substances.
GTV Reporter Lee Tae-hui
“The water that passed through the water collection towers into Yongin and Gwangju was found to contain much less green algae after the tem was installed.”
This new tem, titled cilial filtering tem, contains fine fiber-like structures that filter particles including green algae out of water
Water Collection Rate Not Affected
Unlike membrane-type filters, this tem does not affect the water collection rate since it allows the free passage of water.
[Interview]Gwon Eun-mi / Director, Eco Star Research Center
“This tem uses a fiber-like material that absorbs and eliminates algae before the water flows to the purifying facility. It is shown to be also effective in eliminating small green algae.”
Test results showed a significant reduction of chlorophyll A, the pigment found in green algae. Cyanobacteria, which also negatively impact water taste and odor, were completely eliminated by the new tem.
The Paldang (팔당) headquarters decided to use this tem before introducing a more advanced green algae inhibiting tem.
[Interview]Kim Sang-cheol / Chief Official, Paldang Headquarters Water Industry Support Team
“We expect to be able to produce good quality water using the new filtering tem until we can introduce a more advanced, expensive ozone-based tem.”
Gyeonggi Province plans to introduce the cilial filtering tem in cities and counties where green algae proliferation is a recurring issue.