Article 1. Hybrid Beer-Makgeolli Developed in Gyeonggi Province (0707-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Recently, a Gyeonggi research institute developed a hybrid of beer and the Korean traditional rice wine known as makgeolli (막걸리). Aimed at an international market launch, this new drink is expected to increase the consumption of Gyeonggi rice.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
Developed by the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, or GARES, this bubbly drink resembles makgeolli(막걸리) but has a darker color and beer-like taste.
While the popularity of makgeolli (막걸리) has increased recently overseas, the institute combined the traditional makgeolli (막걸리) brewing process with that of beer to suit the taste of beer lovers around the world.
[Interview]Lee Dae-hyeong / Researcher, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
“In addition to the functional benefits of makgeolli, with its richness in fiber and lactic acid bacteria, this new drink also has characteristics of beer that can appeal to the tastes of drinkers worldwide.”
GARES started developing modified makgeolli (막걸리) brewing techniques when makgeolli (막걸리) exports began to decline in 2012.
Full Commercialization Planned after Initial Market Trial
This new brewing technique has been transferred to a makgeolli(막걸리) brewery in the province for trial introduction to the domestic market on the condition that only Gyeonggi rice be used.
[Interview]Cho Eun-seon / Quality Assurance Manager, Urisool Brewery
“This hybrid makgeolli will be marketed to our customers as a new cocktail drink. Its taste can easily appeal to the general public, so we expect there will be increasing overseas demand in the long run.”
When this new drink is successfully launched and gains popularity in overseas markets, it will also contribute to the consumption of rice as well as to increases in income among rice farmers in Gyeonggi Province.
 
Article 2. Theatrical Play to Help Prevent Internet Addiction among Children (0704-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
According to a public survey, the Internet addiction rate is higher among children than among adults. To address this problem, Korean government agencies have developed an educational theatrical program to guide children in the proper use of the Internet.
[Report]
“Smart HeungbophoneNolbohone”
This play is a modified version of a Korean fairy tale about two brothers in which the kind-hearted younger brother, Heungbo (흥보),is rewarded with a gourd filled with treasure. In this play, the gourd is replaced by a smart phone, and Heungbo (흥보) soon becomes addicted to Internet games.
[Sound at the Scene]
“Oh dear, I mustn’t stop now!”
“Don’t you remember the last time you were kicked out for using the Internet?”
This educational play is based on a story that all Korean children are familiar with.
During the play, children from the audience can also participate in scenes and songs.
[Interview]Yoon Song-yeon / 3rd Grade, Daeseon Primary School, Suwon
“Watching the Heungbo-Nolbo (흥보-놀보) play, I felt that I must not use a smart phone for too long.”
Educational Play Produced by the Korean Government
Organized and produced jointly by the Korean National Information Society Agency and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, this educational play will be performed at fourteen Internet addiction centers in Korea, including one in Gyeonggi Province, for 9,000 children.
[Interview]Kim Ji-won / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Internet Addiction Center
“We hope that this play will help prevent the addictive use of the Internet and smart phones, and instead promote their healthy use among children.”
Each year, the starting age for smart phone use decreases, and compulsive Internet usage becomes more rampant among children in Korea. Hopefully this play will reverse the trend.
 
Article 3. 1 out of 25 Gyeonggi Residents is of Foreign Origin (0709-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province has been increasing continuously, and is now almost 500,000, accounting for one in every twenty-five residents of the province.
[Report]
Foreign Residents in Gyeonggi Province: 492,790
The number of long-term foreign residents, immigrants and their children in Gyeonggi Province increased by 11.8 percent compared to the previous year to 492,790, accounting for 4% of all registered provincial residents.
[Interview]Min Ji-won / Korean National with Philippine Origin
“I like Korea. People are kind and the pay is good. Many Filipinos want to come to Korea.”
Among regional units in Korea, Ansan (안산) City has the largest number of foreign residents, followed by the cities of Suwon (수원) and Siheung (시흥).
[CG]Industrial workers make up the largest vocational group among foreign residents of the province, accounting for 40 percent while, according to nationality, Chinese make up the majority at 60 percent.
Koreans with Foreign Nationality and Residency Increased
The increased arrival of Koreans with foreign nationality and residency also contributed to the increased number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province.
Human Rights Support Center Opens in Gyeonggi Province
Since the number of foreign residents in the province continues to grow, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government established the first human rights center for foreigners in Korea last year. The center also plays a coordinating role among related government agencies and organizations.
[Interview]Hwang Yeong-seon / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Foreigner Support Team
“We expect that the increasing trend (of foreigners) will continue for some time. We are providing them with employment and language education support to help them adapt to Korean society.”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government also plans to operate a group of multicultural family supporters so as to help marriage-based immigrant women address family issues.
 
Article 4. Small Libraries in Gyeonggi Province Become Local Cultural Centers (0707-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Korean Government has been promoting the establishment of small libraries under the catch phrase of “One Small Library in Every Town’ since 2004. In Gyeonggi Province, these libraries have also become cultural centers for local communities.
[Report]
‘Poetry Reading, a Humanity Event’ – Small Library at Ansan Lifelong Learning Hall
Today, the open-air theater outside this library in Ansan (안산) City is filled with local residents for a special cultural event, a poetry reading.
After reciting each poem, the attending scholar provides a lecture so as to help the audience better appreciate the poem.
The gravity that gripped the audience is lightened by a choral performance at the end.
[Interview]Kim Jeong-sook / Bono-dong, Ansan
“It was somewhat different from what you usually experience when reading poems. It touched me deeper and moved me more. I think it was a good effort and I hope there will be more such events.”
The Small Library Project, which originally sought to provide local communities with libraries within their neighborhoods, has evolved to include a wide range of cultural programs from fairy tale narrations for children to autobiography writing for seniors.
1,300 Small Libraries in Gyeonggi Province
There are 1,300 small libraries, each with distinct characteristics, currently being operated in Gyeonggi Province.
Cultural Programs Revitalize Small Library Functions
Cultural programs are improving the functional potential of small libraries, which otherwise may face operational difficulties due to limited books and facilities.
[Interview]Lee Yeon-jae / Director, Gyeonggi Province Library Policy Division
“We will provide (small libraries with) maximum administrative support to enable them to spontaneously lead local cultural activities. We also plan to provide customized program consultation services to 20 libraries this year.”
Small libraries are an important feature in every local community not only as a conventional library but also as a local cultural center as well as a substitute community center for local residents of all ages. 
Article 5. Gyeonggi’s ‘Global Medical Sharing’ Sees First Beneficiary (0708-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
In May this year, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization launched the Global Medical Sharing Project, which will run for four months from June as part of a medical tourism promotion. A Russian girl became the first beneficiary of the project.
[Report]
Soon Chun Hyang University Bucheon Hospital
Three-year-old Alexandrina from Russia has been suffering from a cleft palate. She has serious difficulties speaking and swallowing as well as breathing.
Such a condition requires early treatment, but her parents could not afford the medical costs.
Alexandrina was selected and invited to Korea for free treatment under the Global Medical Sharing Project.
[Interview]Krott Marina / Alexandrina’s Mother
“We couldn’t afford surgical treatment, so we came to Korea. My child is much better now. I am very grateful to Gyeonggi Province and the medical staff.”
‘Global Medical Sharing Project’ for Economically Underprivileged Foreign Patients
The objective of the Global Medical Sharing Project is to provide medical services to economically underprivileged foreign patients free of charge, covering all medical treatment costs as well as travel and accommodation costs.
It is the realization of one of the sharing policies of Gyeonggi Province as well as part of the overseas promotion of the province’s medical services.
Medical Tourism Promotion Effect
This project is expected to help attract more medical tourists to Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview]Kim Dae-gyeong / Director, Gyeonggi Province Creative Administration Division
“We will continue to reach patients in economic difficulty in Southeast Asia, Russia and its neighboring counties, and China so as to let our medical technology standards be known and to promote medical tourism.”
The Global Medical Sharing Project of Gyeonggi Province is bringing hope to foreign patients while contributing to the promotion of the Korean Wave in medical services.
 
Article 6. Marketing Education for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (0709-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Earlier this month, a Gyeonggi institute provided education in marketing strategies and techniques to aspiring women entrepreneurs. After the course, each of the fifty participants received a certificate that prioritizes them in financial applications.
[Report]
While the number of women interested in starting their own businesses is increasing, they also encounter great difficulties in realizing their dreams.
[CG]According to a survey, marketing management is the greatest challenge faced by women entrepreneurs in their business operations.
‘Marketing Education for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs’ / Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center
This 10-hour marketing education course for such women was provided at the Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center.
[CG]During this course, which ran for two days, lectures emphasized customer-oriented values in the development and provision of goods and services.
Other marketing elements for a successful business launch covered by the course included the establishment of customer relations through social networking services and the utilization of blogs and viral marketing.
[Interview]Yoo So-hyun / Aspiring Entrepreneur Founding a Business
“I will put into practice the marketing know-how that I learned during the course, starting from online marketing. I think this course will be very helpful in my business startup.”
Education in Strategies to Reduce Business Startup Costs
The education in marketing strategies for startup-stage businesses is also expected to help reduce startup costs.
[Interview]Huh Jeong-eun / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Women’s Development Center
“Most early-stage business founders face great difficulties in establishing marketing strategies. We designed the education course to include practices such as blog marketing as a means for reaching customers.”
In Gyeonggi Province, there will be ongoing education programs for aspiring women entrepreneurs provided through various channels.
 
Article 7. Gyeonggi Province-National Assembly Member Meeting (140710-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On July 9, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil invited National Assemblymembers representing provincial districts and held the first political coordination meeting of his term.
[Report]
Political Coordination Meeting / National Assembly Dining Hall (July 9)
He became the first Governor of Gyeonggi Province to draw a bipartisan coalition card.
Coalition Becomes Topmost Meeting Subject
Following his lead, the meeting participants from both ruling and opposition parties discussed coalition, communication and joint administration as the top agenda items of the meeting.
[Soundbite]Han Jin-gyu / Leader, SaenuriParty- Gyeonggi Province
“The legislature and the administration are complementary to each other. I think both should ask each other for directions when lost, follow the same roads, and pursue the same goals.”
Current Provincial Issues
Current provincial issues, such as minimum wage regulations, were also major subjects.
[Soundbite]Song Ho-chang / Joint Leader, New Politics Alliance for Democracy – Gyeonggi Province
“I believe that we can pave the way for future political coordination by first successfully resolving current administrative issues, starting with minimum wage regulations, with the provincial council.”
On current provincial issues such as minimum wage regulations and the development of northern provincial regions, Governor Nam stated his plans in a composed manner.
Discussion of GTX Projects
The willingness of the new provincial government to proceed with the GTX projects was also questioned during the meeting.
The general atmosphere of the meeting was more subdued than usual without heated discussions.
[Soundbite]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“A political coalition is currently being pursued. I would appreciate all the interest, encouragement and criticism that you can give to realize the political changes that I seek to make in Gyeonggi Province.”
Coalition Agreed upon Unanimously
Assembly members from all parties unanimously sympathized with the governor’s coalition drive.
[Soundbite]Kim Tae-nyun / Joint Leader, New Politics Alliance for Democracy – Gyeonggi Province
“The Gyeonggi provincial administration is forming a new coalition-based movement. I believe that successful results can be realized if we trust each other and approach issues with sincerity.”
The first political coordination meeting with the new provincial administration was one with an undercurrent of a sense of unity among participants with the common goal of provincial advancement.