Article1.April 16 Ferry Disaster Sufferers Receive Provincial Support (0616-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Two months has passed since the tragic Sewol(세월) ferry disaster that occurred off the southwestern coast of Korea on April 16.The Gyeonggi Provincial Government has been endeavoring to minimize the negative effects of this disaster on the lives of residents.
[Report]
More Than 1 Million Mourners Have Visited Public Mourning Sites
As of June 15, the number of visitors to the public mourning sites establishedin each city and county of the province exceeded one million.
Gyeonggi Province Helps Disaster Sufferers
While the initial shock from this tragic event is slowly passing, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government continues to provide support services to those who suffered direct or indirect losses from the disaster.
Psychological Counseling Services for Families and Friends of Victims
To date, 226 bereaved families as well as 1,341 of the victims’ peers at 61 schools have been visited by psychological counselors and received treatment.
Aid Provided to Businesses and Individuals to Alleviate Negative Effects
Household businesses that suffered negative economic effects because of the disaster, including 326 households in Ansan (안산) City, were provided with emergency financial support.
The Muhandolbom (무한돌봄) welfare service has also provided initial emergency aid of KRW 356 million to 341 individuals. Secondary aid will soon follow.
Affected Businesses and Tourism Enterprises to Receive Financial Support
Small businesses and tourism enterprises in Ansan (안산) City, which suffered greatly from consumption depression following the disaster, will each be provided with financial support of KRW 20 billion.
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government also plans to establish a marine safety center in Ansan (안산) City and to exclude the city from the administrative boundary of the Gyeonggi-Seoul region so as to boost the economy of Ansan independently of regional categorization. 
Article2.Blue Ceramics Exhibition (0617-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On June 2, to commemorate the Year of the Blue Horse, the Korea Ceramic Foundation opened a special ceramic exhibition that showcases the ceramic artwork of Korean and overseas artists using blue as a thematic color.
[Report]
‘The Origin’ by Han Shin-hui
From abstract pieces to depictions of oceans and skies…
‘The Air and the Dream’ by Gang Woon
The color blue marries ceramic art at this exhibition.
‘108 Defilements’ by Alessandro Mendini
The world-famous Italian ceramic artist, Alessandro Mendini, created rows of blue miniature European-style chairs to represent the 108 defilements that symbolize the earthly desires of humans in Buddhism.
[PIP-Interview] Kim Ok-ryeon / Visitor
“The entire exhibition has a refreshing atmosphere, which is nice in this season. Blue is also my favorite color. Perhaps that is why this exhibition appeals to me.”
‘Untitled’ by Piet Stockmans
The artwork of Piet Stockmans from Belgium uses famous stockman blue pigments. Consisting of a number of little pieces with simple curves, the whole work gives the impression of a flock of soaring birds.
The art pieces that combine ceramics with other media also attracted a great deal of visitor interest.
[Interview] Cho Weon-seok / Visitor
“I was impressed by the new attempts at combining different media. I hope that I can see many such attempts in the future.”
‘Glorification of Blue’ Ceramic Exhibition / Cerapia, Icheon City (June 2nd – November 2nd)
Forty-seven art pieces with the thematic color of blue, created by thirty-seven Korean and overseas ceramic artists, are being displayed at the Creation Center of Cerapia for a five-month run until November 2.
[Interview] Jeong Han-ju / Curator, Cerapia, Korea Ceramic Foundation
“You can see ceramic art in combination with paintings, fabrics and lighting here. It is an exhibition that is color-oriented, blue in this case, which is natural and peaceful color.”
Entitled “Glorification of Blue”, this exhibition aims to help the public rediscover ceramic arts through pieces created in monotone, yet infinitely diverse, media combinations that typify modern ceramic arts.
 
Article3.Gyeonggi Province Operates Agricultural Disaster Center (0618-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Following recent occurrences of unusual atmospheric phenomena such as hail and tornado-like whirlwinds, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government opened an agricultural disaster center so as to prevent damage from natural causes and implement emergency relief during the farming season.
[Report]
Sanyang-1-ri, Icheon
On June 10, hailstones the size of 100-won coins fell for half an hour in the Icheon (이천) and Anseong (안성)regions to a depth of up to 20 centimeters, devastating farms and orchards.
Vegetable crops as well as fruiting plants and trees, some only days away from harvest, suffered massive and irreparable damage.
Vegetables were flattened, fruits fell, and trees had their branches broken.
It was part of the unusual atmospheric phenomena that is occurring with increasing frequency in Korea in recent years.
[Interview] Won Jong-moon / Peach Farmer
“My wife and I are heartbroken beyond words. I just hope that the trees can survive and produce fruit next year.”
Frequency of Unusual Atmospheric Phenomena Increases
While hail leveled crops in the Icheon and Anseong agricultural regions, destructive whirlwinds occurred in the Goyang (고양) and Paju (파주) regions, devastating farmlands.
Gyeonggi Province Operates Summer Agricultural Disaster Center
The Summer Agricultural Disaster Center of Gyeonggi Province consists of eleven officials in three teams: the Initial Deployment Team, the Horticulture and Special Crops Team, and the Foundation Restoration Team.
These teams went into a 24/7 operation mode and will work closely with related public organizations to perform various activities including damage assessment, emergency restoration, and on-site supervision so as to minimize damage.
[Interview] Kim Sang-gyeong / Director, Gyeonggi Province Eco-friendly Agricultural Division
“Farmers should familiarize themselves with procedures in the event of irregular natural phenomena such as extreme temperatures and intensive precipitation. Farmers are also advised to insure against agricultural disaster.”
Gyeonggi Province will publish a procedure and crop management manual for various natural phenomena so as to help farmers prepare for unexpected natural occurrences and minimize possible damage.
 
Article4.Business Consultation Support for Senior Work Projects (0616-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Provinceis providing support for senior employment projects launched by the province so as to help them improve their competitiveness and sales through essential consultation services from specialists.
[Report]
Ansan Senior Club’s Bean Curd Restaurant
This restaurant in Ansan (안산) City, in which seniors are busy preparing bean curd with matronly expertise for lunch meals, is a valued and much-loved workplace among the seniors who operate the facility.
Sales Increase Following Senior Employment Project Consultation Service
With limited experience, these ladies encountered difficulties at first.
However, the number of customers and sales increased after they learned culinary know-how from specialists and took customer service training through senior employment project consultation support.
The taste of the food and the level of customer service have improved greatly.
[Interview] Kim Ok-soon / Member of Ansan Senior Club
“After the training, we could improve the taste and presentation of the food. I am very happy because I hear praise from many customers.”
Business Consultation Service for Senior Employment Project
Since last year, Gyeonggi Province has been providing business consultation cost support to selected senior employment projects that generally begin as small businesses with limited experience.
5 Projects Received Consultation Cost Support of KRW 15 Million
Last year, three senior employment projects received consultation cost support through applications as trial cases.
Based on the positive results of the support in terms of sales and the morale of the seniors involved, the center plans to increase the number of support recipients and will provide KRW 15 million to five projects this year.
[Interview] Bae Cheong-song / Senior Official, Gyeonggi Province Senior Employment Support Center
“The objective of the provincial support is to improve the competitiveness of senior employment projects that usually find it hard to compete with established businesses in the market. The recipients will be provided with continuous follow-up support to maintain the consultation effects.”
From culinary know-how to business management, the consultation services realized by the senior employment project support are aiding seniors with their businesses as well as helping them embark on new lives.
 
Article5.Gyeonggi’s 2013 Budget Surplus to Help New Administration (0617-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government, led by Governor Kim Moon-soo, has managed to retain a surplus of KRW 140 billion from its 2013 budget through tight in-house policies, alleviating the financial burden faced by the new provincial administration.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Province2013 Account Closure Leaves KRW 140.5 Billion Surplus
The2013 account closure for Gyeonggi Province revealed a net budget surplus of KRW 140.5 billion; this will be carried over to the annual budget for next year. .
The net annual budget surplus is usually set to zero when the annual budget is planned before the fiscal year.
[CG]
The net annual budget surplus is the amount of annual revenue minus annual expenditure after deductions for amounts brought forward from the previous year and remaining from national subsidies. It can be used as part of the revised supplementary budget for the following year.
Major Factors: Recovery of Delinquent Taxes and Surplus from National Subsidies
The major contributing factors for this net annual budget surplus was the recovery of delinquent taxes of KRW 53 billion and a surplus of KRW 158 billion from national subsidies.
[CG]
As of the end of May, this year’s provincial tax revenue amounted to KRW 2.57 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 23 percent.
Provided that the trend continues as it has since last year, total annual provincial tax revenue will exceed the targeted amount by KRW 490 billion.
This means that a total of KRW 630 billion will have been made available for next year’s revised supplementary budget by the end of this year.
[Interview] Park Dong-gyoon / Director, Gyeonggi Province Tax Administration Division
“All provincial officials were actively involved in overcoming the provincial financial crisis. With the worst now passed, the budget surplus will be helpful for next year’s provincial administrative operations.”
Revenue Sources Management Division to Be Established for Effective Financial Operations
For effective financial resource management, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to establish the new Revenue Sources Management Division and will strengthen local tax collection capabilities.
 
Article6.Internet Cafe ‘TWIG’ for Province-Public Idea Communication (0618-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
In 2012, an internet café entitled TWIG was opened by Gyeonggi Province for the communication of ideas for improved quality of life between residents and provincial officials. Some of the outstanding ideas have been adopted for actual implementation.
[Report]
Galsan-dong, Anyang City
This ride for children, the likes of which are often seen in children’s playgrounds, may seem harmless.
However, the spring mechanism at the bottom can be dangerous if a child’s fingers are caught in it.
Safety Cover Installed As Suggested in TWIG
A safety cover was installed over the ride’s spring mechanism after the idea was suggested through Gyeonggi Province’s idea café.
[Interview] Park Hyun-sik / Gyeonggi Province Disaster and Safety Team Official
“I tried to find a fundamental safety solution and came up with the idea of a spring cover, which I suggested through the idea café.”
Another idea for the afterschool use of classrooms by foreign and Korean students is now ready for implementation. The idea was suggested by university students who are active in this café.
[Interview] Kim Ji-won / TWIG Café Member
“I suggested the idea for both foreign students who wants to learn Korean and Korean students who want to learn English. I will continue to use the café to make helpful and interesting suggestions.”
TWIG, which stands for ‘Together with Gyeonggi’, is open to all residents and public officials of Gyeonggi Province. The ideas suggested are often supplemented by other user comments that improve the original ideas.
Average of 60 New Ideas and 6 Implementations per Month (http://cafe.naver.com/gideain)
Since its establishment in 2012, the number of members has increased to more than 6,000.
Each month, six ideas are selected for actual implementation out of more than sixty new ideas that are submitted per month on average.
[Interview] Lee Soon-neum / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Creative Strategy Team
“While existing suggestion procedures are complicated, this café enables users to communicate ideas easily.”
The little ideas for everyday life that are shared through the ‘Together with Gyeonggi’ café between residents and officials of Gyeonggi Province are making the province a better place in which to live.
 
Article 7.Free Environment Doctor Service of Gyeonggi Province (140618-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A Gyeonggi Province agency is providing environmental diagnosis services to small enterprises free of charge. Entitled ‘Environment Doctor Service’, it has received positive responses from enterprises since it helps them save substantial amounts in environmental improvement and maintenance costs through technical consultations.
[Report]
Dye Production Enterprise / Jeongwang-dong, Siheung City
This company produces industrial dyes.
Wastewater Treatment Using Rainwater Saves KRW 20-40 Million per Year
Four years ago, this company installed a rainwater collection tem to retain water for their wastewater treatment facility.
Reconstruction of Toxic Material Tank
The rainwater collection tem cost the company KRW 40 million, but the investment resulted in the reduction of annual production costs by KRW 20-40 million.
The company also recently reconstructed its toxic material tank with a water-tight concrete chamber and special coatings to prevent toxic substances from leaking into the surrounding grounds.
These initiatives were pursued under the guidance of the Industrial Complex Environment Management Office(ICEMO) of Gyeonggi Province.
[Interview] Sa Gong-hoon / Manager of Dye Production Company
“Some of the improvement work was done through consultation and other work was done by us alone. The overall effect is an annual savings of nearly KRW 1 billion. Considering indirect effects such as the improvement of the company image, the effect is more than that.”
ICEMO of Gyeonggi Province Began Environment Doctor Services in 2003
This enterprise is one of the beneficiaries of the Environment Doctor Service that Gyeonggi Province has been providing to small and medium-sized enterprises since 2003.
Environmental Diagnosis and Customized Environmental Improvement Support
This service consists of environmental diagnosis by specialists and the transfer of customized environmental improvement technologies free of charge.
Environmental Violation Rate Decreased from 24% to 1,2% in 2009
Since the consultants identify problem areas and provide guidance for improvement, the environmental violation rate in industrial complexes has decreased considerably.
More Than 2,000 Enterprises Benefited from Environment Doctor Service with Over 95% Satisfaction Rate
Since its introduction in 2003, more than 2,000 enterprises have benefited from the Environment Doctor Service with a satisfaction rate of over 95 percent.
[Interview] Won Gong-sik / Consultation Team Leader, ICEMO of Gyeonggi Province
“This service was conceived in 2003 when foul odor became a major problem at the Banwol-Sihwa Industrial Complex; its cause was found to be the inappropriate management of waste exhaust tems.”
The foul odor problem is now a thing of the past in industrial complexes.
Provincial support and changing attitudes among enterprises are transforming the environments of industrial complexes in Gyeonggi Province.