Article1. Gyeonggi Creates Parks in Development Restriction Zones (0609-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government recently announced that it would establishpublic parks in development restriction zones, or Green Belts,that are close to urban areas but have been left idle for many years.
[Report]
Gocheon-dong, Uiwang City
This senior welfare center in Uiwang (의왕) City is partly surrounded by an unlikely structure, a long chain link fence that prevents the public from engaging in unauthorized utilization of the land inside, a development restriction zone.
However, ignoring a large sign that says “No Cultivation Allowed”, locals have long been pursuing farming activities in that zone.
Without proper management by authorities, these zones also become dumping grounds.
Seoksoo-Dong, Anyang City
Similar situations can be found in other development restriction zones.
GTV Reporter Choi Chang-soon
“Some development restriction zones have been left idle for decades. Gyeonggi Province plans to establish four public parks in such areas.”
Four Public Parks to Be Created in Development Restriction Zones in Gyeonggi Province
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government filed park development plans with the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation for entry in a national public park project contest, and has been granted approval for four projects.
[CG]
The approval came with a financial contribution of KRW 1.3 billion from the Korean government, which has conducted a meticulous deliberation process including on-site assessments for the projects.
The four public parks to be established by Gyeonggi Province will each reflect local characteristics, covering a total area of 44,000 square meters. Local residents will be invited to participate in the entire development processes from the very beginning.
[Interview] Lee Seong-gyu / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Urban landscape Team
“It is meaningful in that it solves urban environmental problems while creating spaces for public health and relaxation. These parks will play an important role in creating a Gyeonggi Province that everyone loves to live in.”
Detailed park design will commence this month after public hearings in each region, and local residents will be able to enjoy their new parks by the end of the year. 
Article2. Gyeonggi to Open Marine Safety Center in Ansan City (0610-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Governmentrecently decided to establish a marine safety public experience center in Ansan (안산) City, and will file a proposal with the related Korean ministry for this purpose.
[Report]
Gyeonggi Proposes Establishment of Marine Safety Center in Ansan City
The provincial government has already selected candidate sites for the center in Danwon-gu (단원구) of Ansan (안산) City, the hometown of many of the victims of the recent ferry disaster.
Suggesting the opening of the center in 2017, the provincial proposal will be delivered to the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries within a few days.
[Interview] Kim Jin-won / Director, Gyeonggi Province Marine and Harbor Policy Division
“A safety theme park was established for Daegu citizens after a subway fire disaster there. We hope to be able to open a similar center in Danwon-gu to promote public awareness of marine safety.”
The Marine Safety Public Experience Center, a tentative name, aims to serve all Koreans by promoting and providing education in the practice of marine safety.
Disaster Training Programs for Different Age Groups
This marine safety center will operate a number of programs for different age groups to help them cope with situations that typically arise.
There are seven marine safety training centers currently being operated or constructed in Korea, but none in Gyeonggi Province.
Daebu Island, Danwon-gu, Ansan City an Ideal Location
The provincial government selected two sites on the northern coast of Daebu (대부) Island in Danwon-gu (단원구) of Ansan (안산) City.
These proposed sites are conveniently accessible by the more than twenty-five million residents of the Gyeonggi-Seoul region, and are close to the fast-growing marine leisure facilities in the area.
The provincial government already obtained agreement from Ansan (안산) City, the owner of the sites, regarding the establishment of the proposed center.
 
Article3. Young Traditional Market Merchants’ Success Story Contest (0611-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government recently held a success story contest for young shop owners at traditional markets as one of its traditional market promotion events. A GTV reporter visited the winners, who are in their twenties and thirties.
[Report]
Sammi Market, Siheung City
This greengrocery in Sammi (삼미) Market of Siheung (시흥) City is brimming with energy, typical of traditional markets.
Its owner and staff, all in their twenties, are famous for their witty kindness and have become symbolic figures of the market.
[Interview] Song Yang-hui / Sincheon-dong, Siheung City
“They are kind and I always enjoy buying there. Once you shop there, you will become their regular customer.”
The goods are fresh and prices are reasonable.
However, it was their excellent customer service that brought them success and enabled them to expand to five shops.
[Interview] Kim Geon-woo (Age 28) / Owner of ‘Brother’s Fruits and Vegetables’
“I operate five vegetable shops. I haven’t calculated precisely, but the combined annual sales may be around KRW 3-4 billion.”
Shinjang Market, Hanam City
In Sinjang (신장) Market of Hanam (하남) City, the representative place is this rice cake shop.
It differentiates itself from other similar shops by offering tasty rice cakes with unique designs that incorporate colorful patterns made to order.
[Interview] Lee Jong-ik (Age 36) / Owner of ‘Sirubon’ Rice Cake Shop
“I wanted to do things differently so I changed designs, and sales increased ever since.’
3 Young Traditional Market Merchants Win Success Story Contest
Three young shop owners, including those of these two shops and another in Pajang (파장) Market of Suwon (수원) City, were selected as the winners of the young merchants’ success story contest from among the entries that were submitted to Gyeonggi Province since April.
[Interview] Park Geun-gyoon / Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center Team Leader
“We will publicize the success stories as models for other shop owners, as well as to attract people to traditional markets.”
Gyeonggi Province hopes that more shops in traditional markets, inspired by the success of these young merchants, will create their own success stories. The province will continue to help traditional market merchants with various support programs.
 
Article4. Libraries Challenged by Imminent Book Price Regulation (0609-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The recent passing by the Korean National Assembly of the Amendment of the Publication Industrial Promotion Law, which includes limitations on book price discounts, is causing great worries among libraries that can no longer rely on discounts on their book purchases.
[Report]
Book Price Discount Limitations to Go Effective in November
Aimed at preventing market-disturbing discount offers by online bookshops, this amendment will be enforced from November.
Discounts Allowed within 15% of Indicated Prices
According to the new amendment, discounts of only up to 15% of indicated priceswill be allowed for all books.
While it is a long-awaited solution for the publishing industry, it comes as a great challenge to libraries throughout the country.
Public Libraries to Be Most Affected
Public libraries that operate on limited budgets will be hardest hit by the new discount limitation clause.
[Interview] Park Yeong-ae / Uijeongbu Science Library Policy Team Leader
“I expect that the book purchases in terms of number of books by public libraries will decrease by 30%, which means the public’s choice of books will also be restricted accordingly.”
[CG]
The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommends that the book collections of public libraries have 2.5 books per person.
The actual number is below this recommended level at two books per person in Gyeonggi Province.
The average number for libraries in Korea falls short of that of other countries, and the new book price discount limitation is expected to exacerbate the situation.
[Interview] Ryu Hui-gyeong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Library Policy Team
“We hope to be able to prevent limiting the choice of books at libraries for residents while honoring the intended purpose of the amendment of the law by securing at least 10% more budget, if not 20% more.”
The book discount limitation is intended to relieve the publishing industry and book shops from prolonged difficulties.
However, the ensuing challenge faced by public libraries should also be addressed by collective efforts.
 
Article5. Vegetable Gardens in City Centers (0610-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
A Gyeonggi institute has developed modular vegetable gardens for urban communities and installed trial case sat four residential areas in Suwon (수원) City. Locals have responded with enthusiasm and their vegetable gardens have quickly become communication centers.
[Report]
Gwonseon-dong, Suwon City
In this community vegetable garden in an apartment complex in Suwon (수원) City, residents are busy tending a variety of vegetables.
They are having a great time working together and sharing the harvest.
[Interview] Kim Jong-sim / Resident
“It’s so nice to spend time with younger and older friends. It’s such a joy to harvest and eat the vegetables that we grew. It’s also great knowing that we are eating natural vegetables.”
Modular Vegetable Gardens Developed by Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
In April, the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services installed these removable, prefabricated vegetable gardens, which can be assembled and arranged flexibly in the space available, at four locations.
These gardens were also designed to enhance the appearance of the living environment.
[Interview] Lim Jae-wook / General Director, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
“I hope that these urban vegetable gardens that we developed will help revitalize community life and provide enjoyment and healing effects to local residents.”
Modular Design Allows Flexible Installation
Since these box-type garden units have modular designs, they can be installed in any pattern to create a green environment in any available space.
GARES to Expand Urban Vegetable Garden Supply and Provide Training
GARES plans to expand its supply of urban vegetable gardens and will provide local residents with education on vegetable cultivation.
By working in common gardens, residents will find themselves growing closer to their neighbors.
 
Article6. Gyeonggi Province’s G-News Reborn as ‘Gyeonggi Province Story’ (0611-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The homepage of Gyeonggi Province’s G-News, a window to Gyeonggi provincial policies, was reopened as ‘Gyeonggi Province Story’ with new designs as well as many added features and contents. A GTV reporter examined the details.
[Report]
Gyeonggi G-News Reopens as Gyeonggi Province Story
The new Gyeonggi Province Story homepage features the News in Gyeonggi as well as image-based Multimedia News in a number of different categories.
Viewer Participation through 2-Way Communication
A notable change in the new homepage is the enhancement of bi-directional communication through the Gyeonggi Province Together section, which enables viewers to participate in news delivery.
There are also the All Corners of Gyeonggi Province section, the Photo Essay section, the Webtoon section and many more.
All news contents are supported by photo or video images for more realistic delivery.
Accessible from Various Mobile Devices
Another notable new feature is the provision of news contents in a mobile web format so that users in transit can more conveniently access news via mobile devices such as tablet PCs.
[Interview] Kim Dong-wook / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province New Media Planning Team
“Gyeonggi Province Story has new features through which residents can contribute their own stories to share with others. We hope these features will also help us better communicate with residents.”
‘Gyeonggi Province Story’ to Improve Communication with Residents
With better communication with residents and their active involvement, the new Gyeonggi Province Story has been reborn as a community site for information sharing while also functioning as a comprehensive news homepage for the province.
 
Article7. ExperientialCeramic Exhibition for Children Opens (140612-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
An experiential ceramic exhibition for children with many interesting programs opened at Cerapia, a ceramics theme park in Icheon (이천) City of Gyeonggi Province, for a six-month run that will last until November 2nd. Our reporter was there.
[Report]
Experiential Ceramic Exhibition for Children by Korea Ceramic Foundation
At this exhibition organized by the Korea Ceramic Foundation, children are intent on drawing designs and kneading, cutting and shaping clay. Today they are ceramic artists creating their own pieces.
[Sound at the Scene]
Experience and Play for Learning and Enjoyment
Here, the ceramic toilets are nothing but wonderful toys to play with.
Children learn about ceramics naturally by exploring the inside of a kiln, solving puzzles, designing their own ceramic pieces and, of course, playing with ceramics.
[Interview] Park Ye-choon (Age 7) / Sejong Children’s House, Icheon
They were too hard (to play with). But it was much fun and fascinating.”
For Preschoolers and Primary School Children
This play-based experiential exhibition for children was organized as a sequel to the Kids’ Biennale that was first introduced at the World Ceramic Biennale at the same venue last year and received a huge response from children
‘Toya Village – Saving Toya’ features 12 Programs
The exhibition consists of twelve programs that are structured around the story of saving the representative character of the Korea Ceramic Foundation, Toya.
The name of the exhibition, Toya Village, is therefore combined with the event name ‘Saving Toya’.
[Interview] Yoo Won-geun / Educator, Korea Ceramic Foundation
“This exhibition is a collection of contents that enables children to experience and learn about ceramics through the exploration of ceramic-making processes as well as the history and development of ceramics.”
The Toya Village exhibition for children, which combines the experiential and play programs of Saving Toya in an educational and entertaining sequence, will run until November 2nd.