Article 1. Visiting Massage Service for Seniors in Gyeonggi Province(0414-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
In Korea, massage licenses are legally reserved forindividuals with visual impairments. However, many licensed massage practitionersface difficulties in finding regular employment. In order to provide unemployed massage practitionerswith employmentopportunities, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government has been operating amassage service program that circulatesamong the senior citizenfacilities in the province.
[Report]
1) Senior Massage Service Program
This program is sponsored jointly with the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, and is run in cooperation with the Korea Massagers Association.
2) Senior Hall in Gogang-dong, Bucheon City
“Where do you feel most the most discomfort?”
“It’s my back that hurts most.”
Working in two-person teams,the massage practitioners visit two communal senior halls orsenior welfare facilitiesper dayon average. They are always welcome visitors.
3) Park Jong-dae / Masseur (with 1st-Grade Visual Impairment)
“I serve elders as if they are my parents. It makes me feel happy just to be with them, let alone giving them massage therapy.”
Seniors not only marvel at the ability of the massage practitioners to find and relieve sore spots, but also appreciate their company.
4) Kim Byeong-sook (Aged 80) / Gogan-dong, Bucheon City
“They relive the aches and pains that I have in abundance. I am very grateful for their service.”
5) Massage Service Program Began in 2007
There are more than a thousand licensed massage practitioners in Gyeonggi Province; approximately forty percent of them still unemployed.
Launched in 2007, the massage service programhas helped many of these unemployed massage practitioners find work, albeittemporarily, on a salary basis.
Last year, more than fifty thousand seniors benefited fromthe massage services provided through this program.
6) Jeong Yong-am / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Disabled Individuals Self-Reliance Foundation Team
“We will continue to operate the massage service program this year to help seniors regain their health as well as to providemassage practitioners with opportunities to work.”
This year, fifty licensed massage practitionerswere recruited for the massage service program which operatescontinuously from April until December. 
Article 2. Health Insurance Case Management Saves Medical Costs (0415-3)
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There are many habitual medical service users who, in extreme occasions, visit hospitals and clinics more than a hundred times a year. However, since the introduction of the Health Insurance Case Management Programlast year, themedical expenses of such patients havedecreased by more than KRW 7.7 billion.
[Report]
1) Jeon Jang-seok (Aged 82) / Daeya-dong, Siheung City
Jeonhas multiple health conditions including back pain from an injury that he sustained during the Korean War, as well as a number of other chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and lung disease. He had been taking more than ten different medicines everyday.
2) Jeon Jang-seok / Health Insurance Beneficiary
“I was well aware of the possible side effects of the drugs, but I couldn’t help myself. I picked up medicines at home or went to the hospital whenever I had pain.”
Through assistance from a health insurance case manager, he adopted lifestyle changes and was put under the general care of a designated doctor. His medical expenses have now been reduced by half.
[CG]
Last year, four thousand patients were selected for intensive management by health insurance case managers. As a result, medical expenses among these patients decreased by half relative to theirexpenses from the previous year.
3) HealthInsurance Case Manager Mentoring System
A mentoring tem was also recently introduced, in which newcase managers, who were recruited from among nurses, are guided by experienced managers.
4) Hwang Yeong-sook / HealthInsurance Case Manager, Siheung City
“I learn from predecessorsabout work procedures that I am not familiar with, while helping newly recruited case managers with their work to improve their efficiency.”
Currently, seventy health insurance case managers have been assigned to the cities and counties of the province, and the number will be increased.
5) Kim Gwan-soo / Director, Gyeonggi Province Welfare Policy Division
“Currently, this program covers only 10 percent of the excessive medical service users. We plan to add one case manager to each of 26 cities and counties where there are more such users.”
For the rationalization of health insurance payments, the Gyeonggi Provincial Governmentalso plans to include excessive long-term hospitalization cases under this program.

Article 3. Gyeonggi Province to Create 130,000 New Jobs This Year(0416-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
While the provincial employment rate has been on the rise for the past ten consecutive months, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government announced that it will create a total of 130,000 new jobs this year.
[Report]
1) Gyeonggi Aims to Create 130,000 New Jobs in 2014
Such an ambitious plan, which is comparable to last year’s target of 100,000 jobs,reflects the positive changes shown in the employment climate of the province.
2) KRW 2.9 Trillion to Be Spenton139 Employment-Related Projects
One such positive factor is the expenditure of a total of KRW 2.9 trillionfrom the national and provincial budgets as well as private sources on 139 employment-related projects in six economic fields this year.
[CG]
The core strategies for job creation include: employment support for individuals in low income brackets, as well as women, youths, the middle aged and seniors; business support; investment inducement;and the improvement of work environmentsas well as employment infrastructure.
3) Direct Job Creation : 98,000+ Jobs
More than 98,000 jobs in the public and private sectors will be created directly through 86 employment projects.
4) Vocational Training : 7,000+ Jobs / Employer Support Projects : 93,000+ Jobs
More than 7,000 jobs will be created through 18 customized vocational training projects for different workforcegroups; and more than 93,000 jobs will be realized through 16 job site employment support projects.
5) Business Inauguration Support : 3,000+ Jobs
Twelve business startup support projectsincluding G-Business Inauguration Projects will also create more than 3,000 new jobs.
6) Han Yeon-hui / Director, Gyeonggi Province Employment Policy Division
“We will strengthen the functions of the Employment-Welfare General Support Centers, and we will also expand the appointment of local employment consultants at local community centers.”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government also plans to work closely with the central government and private organizations to establish cooperation models and to intensify employment support for different social groups.

 
Article 4. Gyeonggi Begins Riding Horse Breed Development (0414-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center began developing riding horse breeds.Recently, the popularity of horseback riding as a leisure sport has been increasingrapidly in Korea. However, there are few riding horsesavailable to meet the demand.
[Report]
1) Horseback Riders Increase Rapidly in Korea
The number of visitors toequestrian clubs has increased by 78 percent in just two years, indicating that horseback riding is fast becoming a popular leisure sport.
However, most horses at riding clubs are retired racing horses, notideal for horseback riding by the general public.
2) Lee Jong-pil / Riding Horse Trainer
“Many horses that we use for horseback riding in Korea are thoroughbreds retired from horse racing.Theyare not suitable for horseback riding because they tend to be temperamental and still havethe desire for racingin their blood.”
3) Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center Adopts 4 Halla Breed of Jeju Island
Last February, the Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center adopted four Halla (한라) breed horsesnative to Jeju (제주) Islandfrom theJeju(제주) National Institute of Animal Sciencefor the purpose of developing riding horse breeds through crossbreeding with prime foreign breeds.
The Halla (한라) breed is known for its tenacity and large hoofs, which are ideal traits for horseback riding in the hilly terrain of Korea.
4) Crossbreeding of Halla Breed with Four Foreign Breeds
The center began developing new riding horse breeds suitable for Korean topography and ergonomics through crossbreeding and artificial insemination between the Halla (한라) breed and four foreign breeds–thoroughbreds, post horses, quarter horses and ponies –which the center also adopted for this purpose.
5) Jeong Chan-seong, Ph.D. / Senior Researcher, Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center
“Gyeonggi Province will lead domestic horse breed development for the advancement of the country’s horseback riding industry.”
6) Animal R&D Center and Riding Horse Ranch to Be Built by 2016
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to establish a research and development center and a ranch on reclaimed land inHwaseong (화성) City by 2016 for continuous riding horse breed development. The development of riding horse breeds is expected to boost the horseback riding industry in Korea. 
Article 5. Gyeonggi Libraries Held Various Events for the 50th Library Week (0415-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The week from April 12th to 18th wasLibrary Week in Korea. Marking the fiftieth such week, public libraries in Gyeonggi Province held a variety of eventsto promote book-reading. Our reporter visited one of the libraries.
[Report]
1) Buksuwon Library
In this library in northern Suwon (수원) City, women are busy creating book accessories guided by an instructor. This is a book art class for mothers, one of many special programs being heldat the library during Library Week.
2) Lee Mi-gyeong / Jeongja-dong, Suwon City
“I used to come to the library just to read books. Then I found that there were many programs. I learnedinteresting things here, repeated them at home with my children, and had a wonderful time.”
3) Liberal Art Lecture:“A Gallery in the Library”
In another room of the library, a liberal arts lecture is underway. The lecture, entitled“A Gallery in the Library,”is attended by many local residents even though it is a weekdaymorning.
On the first floor of the library, an art exhibition is being held, creating a true gallery in the library.
These are but some of a variety of programs that this library has preparedon the occasion of Library Week. The response from residents has been enthusiastic.
4) Choi Im-joo / Librarian, Buksuwon Library
“Many visitors come to read or borrow books and are attracted to the events and classes. Libraries are becoming cultural event places at which all generations can participate, which is wonderful.”
5) The 50th Library Week (April 12th – 18th)
More than two hundred public libraries in Gyeonggi Province offered a variety of reading culture events during the fiftieth Library Week that ran until April 18th.
There have been a wide variety of programs for all generations. Notably, there have beenmany lectures for adults on various liberal arts subjects as well as experiential programs and cosplay programs for children.
6) Library Programs: http://library.kr
Information about the programs offered by Gyeonggi Province public libraries can be obtained from each library or via the homepage of the Gyeonggi Province Cyber Library.
This is a wonderful time of year to take time off at libraries and enjoy the warmth of the spring while reading books or participating in cultural programs.

 
Article 6. Gyeonggi Begins Common Home Indoor Improvement (0416-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
In February this year, the Gyeonggi Provincial Governmentbegan indoor environment improvementsatcommunal facilities for economically disadvantagedindividuals in cooperation with a private construction material manufacturer and a volunteer service organization.
[Report]
1) Common Home for Disabled / Yeonghwa-dong, Suwon City
The members of this common home for individuals with mental disabilities in Suwon (수원) City have been enduring difficulties due to a deficientliving environment.
Lacking a heating tem, they had to endure the cold during the winter. The slope at the front door posed a danger when they passedover it in a wheelchair.
2) Han Gyeong-ja / Leader, LittleJesus’ Empty Bowl Common Home, Suwon City
“I fell twice climbing to the front door and hurt my legs.”
A group of peoplearrived at the scene to lend helping hands.
3) Volunteer Group “Home Repair with Love” and a Private Enterprise
Supported by a private enterprise that supplies constructionmaterials and the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, home repair specialists from the volunteer service organization“Home Repair with Love”set to work.
Insulating boards are installed, a heating tem is put in place, and moldy walls are refurbished with new wallpaper.
Everyone is oblivious to the difficulty of their tasksthat last the entire day, as they think of the safety and comfort that their work will provide to those who live here.
4) Park Eun-hyeong / President, Home Repair with Love
“When a living environment changes, people who live in it also change. It enables them to plan further changes themselves for better future. I’ve seen such changes quite frequently.”
5) Social Contribution MOU for Indoor Environment Improvement (February 12th)
This indoor improvement of common homes was performed under an agreement entitled “Social Contribution Agreement for Indoor Environment Improvement”. The agreement was signed between Gyeonggi Province, a private enterprise, and a volunteer service organization on February 12th
6) Park Seong-nam / Director, Gyeonggi Province Climate and Air Quality Management Division
“We are carrying out the work in cooperation with volunteer service organizations and social contribution enterprises that donate expertise and environment-friendly materials.”
For this year, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government has selected twenty communal facilities for seniors and individuals with disabilities that require living environment improvement.
 
Article 7. 2 Million Gyeonggi Rose Plants Exported (140417-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
It was revealed that, over the past four years, more than two million Gyeonggi rose-breed plants have been shipped overseasfrom Gyeonggi Province. Although the majority of the rose plants in the Korean market are imported breeds, one third of the royalties paid on them hasnow been recovered through the export of domestic breeds.
[Report]
1) Exports of Gyeonggi Rose Breeds Exceeded 2 Million Mark
Since the first 50,000 Gyeonggirose-breedplants were shipped in 2008, more than two million plants have been exported to date, a remarkable feat achieved in just four years.
2) Revenue in Royalty: KRW 640 Million
The associated royalty payments that the Gyeonggi Provincial Government hasreceived so fartotal KRW 640 million.
3) [PIP] Hank Mulder / Dutch Florist
I like this rose. Two colors, and very high quality, and no thorns, very convenient for florists. I like Korean rose.
4) Thornless Rose “Deep Purple”Becomes a Million Seller
Of the five rose breeds developed in Gyeonggi Province and introduced overseas, the thornlessbreed “Deep Purple” has been the most popular among overseas buyers.
[PARTIAL CG]
Deep Purple has been sold to nineteen countries including Ecuador and Kenya, and sales have been increasing rapidly. The Korean roses are establishing names in international markets that have been led by Europeans for 200 years.
5) [INTERVIEW]Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Park Soo-yeong
“We believe that the development of quality rose breeds reflects the advancement of the color and design standards of Koreans.”
6) Rose Breed Seminar / Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services (April 16th)
To celebrate the export of two million rose plants, the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services held a special workshop and celebration ceremony on April 16th.
The rose breeds developed by the institute are characterized by the mysterious aura that emanates from their two-tone colors.
The institute will continue to develop new rose breeds to improve the international competitiveness of the domestic floricultural industry.