Article1. Giheung Reservoir Environmental Crackdown to Prevent Green Algae (0721-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Prolonged dry weather with high temperatures during what is normally the monsoon season in Korea is creating ideal conditions for the proliferation of green algae in still water. Green algae are often the cause of ecological damage as well as residential nuisance due to foul odors.
[Report]
Giheung Reservoir, Yongin
In 2012, Giheung (기흥) Reservoir in Yongin (용인) City of Gyeonggi Province turned into a thick green soup due to the explosive proliferation of green algae.
In order to prevent the repeat of such phenomena, a team of environmental investigators will soon be mobilized to work along the tributaries to this reservoir.
[Interview]Kwon Oh-jin / Advisor to Giheung Reservoir Revival Citizens Group
“When the situation got worse, the smell became so intense that the residents in the areas around the reservoir couldn’t sleep let alone do outdoor activities. It became the epitome of foul odors.”
Giheung Reservoir Tributaries Environmental Crackdown
Since green algae thrive on contaminants, the team will focus on blocking water contamination at its sources.
211 Establishments Subject to Investigations
Including public and private sewage treatment facilities, 211 potential contributors of contaminants will be subject to investigations.
To ensure the effective prevention of green algae occurrences, investigations will be performed jointly by Gyeonggi Province and the cities of Yongin (용인) and Osan (오산) as well as by public and private organizations.
Violators of water discharge regulations will be fined up to KRW 5 million and subject to strict administrative and legal actions including business suspension.
[PIP-Interview]Cho Joon-sik / Chief Official, Paldang Water Quality Improvement Headquarters Team
“Giheung Reservoir will be designated as a national reservoir and become the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment. However, we will continue to exercise strict environmental control to eradicate the sources of its contamination.”
The strict environmental control of Giheung Reservoir is necessary because the reservoir also affects the quality of freshwater in the surrounding districts of Gyeonggi Province.
 
Article2. Movement for Origin Indication on Open Market Goods (0722-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
There is a movement for country-of-origin indication spreading among traditional markets in Gyeonggi Province. Unlike commercially packaged goods, many items sold at traditional markets have not been strictly controlled in accordance with origin indication regulations.
[Report]
Oseak Market, Osan
At this traditional market in Osan (오산) City, one can easily encounter the country-of-origin indications among piles of goods.
Those items about which consumers are origin sensitive –such as fruits, grains, meat and fish–usually carry country-of-origin indications, while most other items such as fresh vegetables do not.
[Interview]Kim Byeong-do / Head of Osaek Market Merchant Association
“It all depends on voluntary efforts by merchants, which means we need education to encourage country of origin indications.”
Country-of-origin indication helps consumers make purchasing decisions.
Country-of-Origin Indication Campaign
The country-of-origin indication campaign is being promoted among traditional market merchants in Gyeonggi Province with assistance from public offices.
[Sound at the Scene]
“Please enter product name, country of origin, unit of quantity and price here. You know how to indicate local products differently from imported goods, right?”
“Yes”
During this campaign, merchants are encouraged to indicate origins and consumers to check the origins.
Earlier this year, a Gyeonggi provincial agency uncovered 88 violations of country-of-origin indication among food distributors and restaurants in the province.
[Interview]Kim Choong-bum / Director, Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Products Distribution Division
“Instead of stringent regulatory actions, we chose to encourage voluntary participation among merchants. By disclosing country of origin, merchants will help consumers make reliable purchase decisions.”
On July 24, the campaign moved to Moonsan (문산) Market in Paju (파주) City.
Gyeonggi Province will continue to support the campaign to improve the image of traditional markets in the province.
 
Article3. Gyeonggi to Provide Living Cost Aid to Sewol Ferry Disaster Victims (0723-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
More than three months have passed since the tragic Sewol (세월) ferry disaster that occurred on April 16. A week after the accident, the Korean government began providing monthly living cost support to the families of the victims.
[Report]
Central Government Support Ended on July 23
Many members of the victims’ families have been unable to continue their economic activities since the disaster as the rescue operation has dragged on for months.
Monthly support for living expenses has been paid to 342 such individuals.
Gyeonggi Province Takes Over Living Cost Support
Central government support, however, ended this month.
In response to a request by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government decided to undertake the monthly living cost support from next month. It will utilize KRW 1.1 billion every month from provincial reserve funds so as to provide continued assistance to individuals still suffering economic difficulties.
Monthly Support with KRW 1.08 Million for 4-Person Household
For a four-person household, for example, the monthly provincial support for living expenses will be KRW 1,08 million.
[Interview]Kim Moon-hwan / General Director, Gyeonggi Province Muhandolbom Welfare Center
“From August, funds will be made available for monthly payment of KRW 1.08 million to a 4-person family of a Sewol (세월) ferry disaster victim.”
This emergency continuation of living cost support by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government will be provided until October when further support will be determined by the enactment of the Sewol (세월) Ferry Special Law.
 
Article4. Summer Traffic Management Implemented in Gyeonggi Province (0721-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A special traffic management plan is being implemented in Gyeonggi Province to address traffic problems that occur during the summer holiday season.
[Report]
Every summer, heavy traffic is a vacationer’s nightmare that makes holidays more stressful than refreshing.
[CG]According to a survey, 72 percent of holiday makers are expected to hit the road during the period from July 22 to August 10.
Gyeonggi Province Special Summer Holiday Traffic Management Plan
It is during this period that the special traffic management plan will be implemented in the province.
[CG]Six detour routes have been designated to supplement the heavily frequented sections of national roads 3, 43, and 47 in the northern areas of the province, as well as national roads 39, 1 and 3 in the southern areas of the province.
Some roads blocked for construction will also be temporarily reopened.
[CG]There are three temporarily reopened sections on national roads 3 and 47 and local road 57.
Public Transportation Capacities to Increase
During this period, public transportation capacities will also be increased through various temporary measures.
[Interview]Han Jong-il / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province Transportation Policy Division
“We will mobilize a special traffic management team in cooperation with related public agencies in order to help residents enjoy their holidays comfortably and safely.”
Road Information from Gyeonggi Transportation Information Center:
– Homepage (http://gits.gg.go.kr)
– Mobile App
– Phone (1688-9090)
– SNS (Twitter)
To facilitate traffic distribution and road safety, real-time road and traffic information will be provided via the Internet, mobile apps and social networking services.
Check out the traffic information before you leave to make your holidays safer and more enjoyable.
 
Article5. Gyeonggi Libraries Offer Summer Programs for Children (0722-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The libraries and the book-reading portal site of Gyeonggi Province began offering a wide range of programs for children during summer vacation. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
Suwon City Library
Children at this library are all ears while a teacher reads a fairy tale to them. Their enjoyment is doubled as they make cakes just as the heroine of the fairy tale did.
[Interview]Lee yoo-rim / Yeong tong-dong, Suwon
“It was fun to make cakes with my friends.”
Many such unique experiential programs being offered by libraries are based on the book-reading education program directory developed in Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview]Lee Hwa-yan / Librarian, Suwon City Library
“We developed programs that connect children to books through experiences and activities. To do so, we looked into former cases and program contents featuring many excellent examples…”
Book-reading Education Program Developed First in Gyeonggi Province
One such program can be found on the provincial book-reading portal site; it was developed by a team of teachers, librarians and picture book writers.
Gyeonggi Province Book-reading Portal Site “Book Magic” (http://www.bookmagic.kr)
Consisting of various topics and book-reading activity programs for different age groups, the program contents are open for free download and use by the public.
[Interview]Park Gyeong-sook / Director, Gyeonggi Province Central Library
“We also provide reference materials for book-reading education and activities that librarians can adopt in their programs. There are more 840 programs for children available at 210 provincial libraries during summer vacation.”
The Gyeonggi province library team will continue to develop a variety of experiential programs for children on vacation, such as a space observation class and a book-reading camp for families.
 
Article6. Gyeonggi to Host World’s Largest Fuel Cell Power Plant (0723-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Earlier this month, Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek (평택) City signed an agreement with seven domestic and overseas enterprises for an investment equivalent to USD 2 billion in the world’s largest fuel cell power plant to be constructed in Pyeongtaek (평택) City.
[Report]
Fuel Cell Power Plant, Hwaseong
Fuel cell energy is an emerging power generation technology with high fuel efficiency.
Generation of DC Electricity from Hydrogen-Oxygen Reaction
Fuel cells generate electricity from the reaction between hydrogen in natural gas and oxygen in the air.
40% Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions and No Noisy Drive Mechanisms
Electricity generation using fuel cells is environmentally friendly since it produces 40 percent less greenhouse emissions than ordinary batteries. It is also noiseless since it involves no drive mechanisms.
[CG]Furthermore, a fuel cell power plant requires a much smaller area, only a fraction of the space required for solar or wind power generation.
Location of Pyeongtaek Fuel Cell Power Plant
Located just a short distance from the candidate location for the360 mega-watt fuel cell power plant in Pyeongtaek (평택) City is a natural gas depot that ensures an efficient supply of fuel.
Positive Effects Expected on Pyeongtaek Lake Tourism Development
This power plant project is expected to accelerate tourism development around Pyeongtaek (평택) Lake through the supply of low-cost energy.
Fuel Cell Power Plant Construction Investment Agreement (July 22)
The participants in this investment agreement include five energy-related enterprises of Korea as well as two overseas investment companies.
[Interview]Jang Joong-gwon / CEO of GK Holdings Co., Ltd.
“Since fuel cell power generation is one of the next-generation industries fully supported by the government, rapid growth is expected in this field.”
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“This project will create more than 3,000 new jobs. It is also a realization of environment-friendly, world-class technology. So, there will be many positive effects.”
In addition to effects on employment and technology advancement, this project is also expected to induce foreign investment of more than USD 30 million. 
Article7. Namhansanseong World Heritage Site Designation Celebration Ceremony (0725-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government held a formal ceremony at Namhansanseong (남한산성) Fortress to celebrate the designation of the fortress as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the eleventh such site in Korea. Our reporter was there.
[Report]
Namhansanseong World Heritage Site Designation Celebration Ceremony (July 24)
With the presence of related public officials including Governor Nam Kyung-pil, as well as academic figures and UNESCO officials, the ceremony was followed by the performance of court rituals that used to take place at the fortress.
The festive atmosphere of the ceremony was enhanced by balloon lamps that signified best wishes for the fortress.
[PIP-Interview]Lim Ji-sook / Seongnam-dong, Seongnam
“I feel grateful for the designation by UNESCO. I hope that Namhansanseong will remain forever as a cultural heritage site that can be appreciated by generations to come.”
11th World Heritage Site in Korea, 3rd in Gyeonggi Province
Namhansanseong (남한산성) is also the third World Heritage Site to be designated in Gyeonggi Province following Suwon Hwaseong (수원화성) and the Choseon (조선) Royal Tombs.
Gyeonggi Province to Preserve Namhansanseong’s Historical Value
During the ceremony, the provincial government announced that it will continue to preserve the historical value of the fortress.
[Soundbite]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“Gyeonggi Province will lead the nation in creating a society in which cultural heritage is appreciated and history is remembered.”
With the World Heritage Site designation, Namhansanseong (남한산성) Fortress has now entered a new stage in its history.
Gyeonggi Province will continue to publicize the value of the fortress through preservation efforts and the organization of academic events.