Article1. Plastic Bags for Garden Plants (0623-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A Gyeonggi Provincial institute introduced plastic bags for use as pots for plants and vegetables. Appearing similar to carrier bags with holes for handles, these lightweight, transparent pots are ideal for home cultivation as well as for the education of children.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
A group of young children lose themselves in creating their own pots of plants.
Plastic Cultivation Bags for Urban Cultivation
These plastic bags were developed by the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services forcultivation in an urban environment where there is little space for gardening.
[Interview]Lee Seung-gi / Gwonseon-dong, Suwon
“It was fun. I think my flowers will grow well.”
These carrier bag-type pots are easy to handle and can be placed conveniently around the house.
Made of Durable, Corrosion-Resistant, Colorfast Plastic Film
Made of a durable, corrosion-resistant plastic film, they are breakage-free and have a service life aslong as that of solid pots.
The transparent design also enables one to see the roots of the plants, much to the pleasure of children in particular.
KRW 880~1,300 per Bag
They are also more economical than solid pots, costing only a little more or less than KRW 1,000 a bag depending on the size.
[Interview]Lim Jae-wook / General Director, GARES
“They are cheap and easy to use and move. They are ideal for city dwellers because they can be used for the creation of household gardens as well as rooftop farms.”
Orders: http://www.greenpot.kr
The plastic cultivation bags are available online.
Both adults and children can start cultivation projects easily using these bags.
The institute hopes that these convenient cultivation bags will help boost city farming, which is a worldwide trend, in the province.

 
Article2. Gyeonggi Institute Links Interns to New Businesses (0624-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A technical institute of Gyeonggi Province is achieving the dual purpose of finding trained manpower for new businesses that it has supported for startup by introducing them to college students who seek employment after graduating from its internship programs.
[Report]
Jeong Se-yeong / CEO of Entrium,Inc., Suwon
Jeong Se-yeong (정세영), a former researcher of the institute himself, is the founder of a nano technology research enterprise.
Business Startup Support Program Beneficiary
Jeong(정) was also one of the beneficiaries of the business startup support program of the institute, the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, or AICT, in Gwangyo (광교) Techno Valley of Gyeonggi Province.
He is now employing graduates of the internship programs of the institute.
[Interview]Jeong Se-yeong / CEO of Ntrium, Inc.
“We need space and have to deal with many chemicals to develop new materials. But, most of all, we need trained personnel with creative and innovative minds because we are in an industry of rapidly changing trends.”
AICT Links Its Beneficiary Enterprises with Graduates of Its Internship Programs
Jeong’s manpower requirements were not easy to address, but were resolved when AICT suggested the employment of its internship program graduates.
Business Startup Support Leads Job Creation
The two different programs of the institute have led to an ideal solution both fornew enterprises seeking quality manpower and for young graduates seeking quality jobs.
[Interview]Huh Yoon-mi / Researcher, Ntrium,Inc.
“I liked the company vision so I joined the company as an intern. After becoming a full-time employee and having my own responsibilities, I am more committed to fulfilling the vision of the company, which is also my own vision.”
Virtuous Circle of Business Startup Support and Internship Programs
AICT will continue linking its business startup support and internship programs,thus realizing a virtuous circle of job creation and employment
[Interview]Choi Seong-hwa / Vice President, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology
“There will be more new enterprises successfully established with the help of AICT and more job opportunities for students.”
Venture Enterprises with Growth Potential to Contribute to Alleviating Employment Problems
The combination of the establishment of venture enterprises with growth potential and the cultivation of trained manpower will continue to contribute to the alleviation of employment problems faced by college graduates.
 
Article3. Gyeonggi Supports Resident-initiated Lifelong Education (0625-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Since 2010, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government has been supporting resident-initiated lifelong education programs. Entitled ‘24/7Duru-nuri(두루누리) Academy’, this support program has been expanded from the original four trial regions to throughout the province from this year.
[Report]
Self-support Center for the Disabled, Pocheon
This art class for individuals with disabilities is one of the education programs initiated by residents and supported by Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview]Hyeon Hoi-seong / Gilmyeong-ri, Pocheon
“I am very pleased to know that I have some talent in painting. I am also happy that I received prizes.”
24/7 Duru-nuri Academy Supports Learning Groups
Each of these education programs supported by Gyeonggi Provincewas initially conceived of by a group of individuals interested in studying the same subject.
[Interview]Song Gi-tae / Director, Pocheon Self-support Center for the Disabled
“I believe all individuals, even those with disabilities, have a talent or two. I wanted to give them an opportunity to find theirs. But I didn’t know how, being in the country and all…, until I applied for provincial support.”
Since its launch four years ago, the 24/7 Duru-nuri(두루누리) Academy has received positive responses, especially from among residents who are isolated from learning opportunities.
Any Group of 10 or More Individuals with the Same Subject Interest Can Apply for Education Support
Any group of ten or more individuals may apply to the Lifelong Learning Institute of Gyeonggi Province for education support.
After review, each selected group is visited by a representative of the institute to discuss the details of their education plan.
The group is then provided with an instructor and financial support for instructor fees.
[Interview]Han Bae-soo / Director General, Gyeonggi Province Lifelong Education Bureau
“Since 2010, 16,040 provincial residents in 1,216 groups have benefited from the support program. They have had the pleasure of learning what they want to learn.”
Applications: Gyeonggi Province Lifelong Learning Website (http://gil.gg.go.kr)
Applications for education support are being received via the homepage of the Gyeonggi Province Lifelong Learning Institute.
Selected applications will be awarded financial support of up to KRW 700,000 each for instructor fees, and classes will be arranged at local sites.
 
Article4. NamhansanseongDesignated as UNESCO World Heritage Site (0623-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Namhansanseong (남한산성) Fortress of Gyeonggi Province was finally designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Gyeonggi Province is now home to two World Heritage fortresses.
[Report]
Namhansanseong Becomes 11th UNESCO World Heritage Site in Korea
It is the eleventh World Heritage Site in Korea registered with UNESCO.
World Heritage Committee in Qatar Approves Registration of Namhansanseong
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, which convened in Qatar on June 22, finally approved the application from Gyeonggi Provinceon the grounds that the fortress satisfies two of the six designation criteria: evidence of significant human exchange, and a monument of important human history.
It is the second fortress in Gyeonggi Province, following Suwon Hwaseong (수원화성)Fortress, to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Number of Visitors to Namhansanseong Expected to Increase
The number of visitors to the fortress is expected to increase as it has with Suwon Hwaseong (수원화성) Fortresses since its registration as a World Heritage Site. Hwaseong (수원화성) Fortresses now receives 3.2 million visitors annually.
[Interview]Park On-hwa / Visitor to Namhansanseong
“It is very close to a subway station. It is a place where I talk about our history and the sad story that is associated with the place with my friends and…”
Registration came after a long process of efforts by the provincial government.
However, it marks the beginning of challenges that still lie ahead in protecting the fortress fromoverenthusiastic local preservation and tourism development attempts.
[Interview]Kim Gyu-sang / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Cultural Heritage Utilization Team
“There will be increased tourism demand. We will work closely with the Cultural Heritage Administration and other related government offices to preserve the value of Namhansanseong.”
Gyeonggi Province will develop a tematic preservation plan and a visitor management plan for Namhansanseong (남한산성), and will also create a cultural tourism belt linking the site with Suwon Hwaseong (수원화성) and a number of royal tombs in the province.
 
Article5. Roadside Trash Bins Revived after 19 Years (0624-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Roadside trash bins disappeared from Korea in 1995 when the ‘volume rate garbage disposal tem’, or ‘pay-as-you-throw’ tem, was introduced nationally. However, illegal trash disposal on the streets is rampant in some urban areas despite repeated crackdowns and posted warnings.
[Report]
Maesan-dong, Suwon
This street in Suwon (수원) City has a large number of pedestrians.
Only a few hours after the last road trash collection, a large amount of trash has already accumulated on the street.
Holes are filled with cigarette butts and level spaces along the walls are lined with empty drink containers.
When asked about this, most people answer it was because there were no trash bins around.
To address the situation, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government decided to reintroduce roadside trash bins in populated areas.
[Interview]Yoon Ji-sang / Jeongja-dong, Suwon
“If there are trash bins, people will use them. With no trash bins in sight, people tend to throw trash away after carrying it for some distance and finding it cumbersome.”
The recent boom in take-out culture is one of the major attributing factors for increased trash levels on streets.
Trial Roadside Trash Bin Installation
Gyeonggi Province installed new roadside trash bins as trial runs for the first time in nineteen years.
Trash Bins Installed at 7 Locations in Bucheon
As a trial case, trash bins were installed at seven locations in Bucheon (부천) City with clusters of bus stops nearby.
The trash bins include those for recyclable items since 70% of trash was found to consist of plastic items and aluminum cans.
[Interview]Yeom Ho-geun / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province Resource Recirculation Division
“After an analysis of the results from these trial installations, we will develop ways to maximize the benefits (of roadside trash bins) and install them where they are most needed.”
Hopefully, the reappearance of roadside trash bins after nineteen years will have positive results and transform street scenes by reducing illegal trash disposal.
 
Article6. Gyeonggi Police Uncovers Country-of-origin Violations by Seafood Dealer (0625-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Province Judicial Police uncovered a seafood wholesaler who sold imported Chinese seafood disguised as local produce to retail chains including Hanaro (하나로) Mart of Nonghyup (농협), a trusted supermarket chain.
[Report]
Seafood Processing Company
A team of judicial police officers of Gyeonggi Province enters a seafood processing factory and finds all seafood packages marked ‘Produced in Jeju (제주)’.
However, officers discover that they are all, in fact, from China and misrepresented with forged copies of order confirmations and invoices from the Jeju Fisheries Cooperative with the dates and quantities altered.
When questioned, are presentative of the premises offers implausible excuses.
[Interview]Seafood Processing Company Representative
“When the shops closed in September, they returned all products here. That’s why they are here, which they shouldn’t be…”
This company, whose headquarters is in North Gyeongsang (경상) Province, has been importing diverse seafood items from China and selling those items to supermarkets after disguising them as products of Jeju Province.
Hanaro Mart and Other Supermarkets Cheated by Fake County of Origin
This company has sold seafood with fake representation of county of origin to seven Hanaro (하나로) Mart locations as well as more than twenty supermarkets in cities around Seoul.
24 Tons of Faked Seafood Worth KRW 430 Million Sold in 2 Years
Since 2012, this company has sold twenty-four tons of seafood worth KRW 430 million with faked country of origin certification.
The judicial police confiscated the uncovered products and applied for an arrest warrant for the president of the company.
The judicial police are also investigating the possible involvement of Nonghyup (농협) personnel.
[Interview]Yoon Seung-no / Head of Gyeonggi Province Judicial Police
“We will investigate the entire distribution route from import to processing and production as well as distribution and sales to safeguard the rights of consumers.”
The Gyeonggi Province Judicial Police plan to exercise tight crackdowns on frozen processed seafood since it is difficult for consumers, who rely only on visual judgment and product indications, to distinguish country of origin and be assured of the hygiene of such products.
 
Article7. Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation Organizes Confucian Schools (0624-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation organized Hyanggyo (향교) classes for children around the province. Hyanggyos(향교) are traditional provincial schools based on Confucianism.
[Report]
Yanggeun Hyanggyo, Yangpyeong
Today’s Hyanggyos (향교) still preserve the atmosphere of ancient Korean academies.
Hyanggyo Ritual
During a Hyanggyo (향교) ritual, young students in colorful Korean traditional attire bow with their hands humbly held together under their foreheads.
[Soundbite]
“Have you ever heard about Maemosamcheon?”
“Yes~”
During class, students learn traditional manners and study the lives of scholars from the past.
[Pip – Interview] Gang Hye-yeon / 5th Grade, Okcheon Primary School
“I could learn better than I did when reading books. I think I will become a better daughter to my parents and a good student to my teacher, and will exercise good manners from now on.”
The students today are just like young versions of ancient scholars intently listening to their teacher.
They feel awkward with the traditional playthings, but are soon fascinated by them.
25 Hyanggyo’s in Gyeonggi Province Open for Children
Twenty-five Hyanggyos (향교) opened for children in Gyeonggi Province for traditional education classes.
[Interview] Lee Cheol-hwa / Principal, Yanggeun Hyanggyo
“I will teach children about Confucian virtues. It will help children build their moral character and…”
Inquiries: Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation (☎031-231-8587)
A variety of traditional class subjects are offered by different Hyanggyo (향교) classes.
Applications by families and primary schools are also possible.
[Interview] JeongChoon-ok / Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation
“Hyanggyos and the traditional library, Seowon, are generally considered as places that have been shut down. We organized Hyaonggyo classes to provide modern-day people with opportunities to utilize such places.”
There are a large number of Hyanggyo (향교) sites still preserved but shut down and unused. These traditional education sites are now becoming places for the youths of today to learn traditional virtues.