1: Promotion of Tourism in Northern Gyeonggi Province

[News Script]
The northern part of Gyeonggi Provincerich with historicalcultural resources that serve as tourist attractions, but local businesses are finding it difficult to sustain economic activities because the number of visiting tourists farjustifies their efforts. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government convened a strategy meeting to promote tourism in this region.

[Report]
Northern Gyeonggi Provincehome of the famous Panmunjeom (판문점), ecological forestsmany historical monuments that can attract tourists who are interested in enjoying nature, visiting the historicalcultural treasures of Koreaseeing first-hand the site of the armistice between SouthNorth Korea.

In addition to the fact that access to this regiongeographically inconvenient, the recent sniper threatthe onset of foot-and-mouth disease have deepened the problem of tourism in this region.

The provincial government convened a strategy meeting at the Jeongok (전곡) Prehistory Museum to address this problemdiscuss ways to promote tourismrevive the local economy in northern Gyeonggi Province.
During this meeting, the director of the Gyeonggi Research Institute, Lee Jeong-hoon (이정훈) delivered a presentation entitled, “Excellent place for experiencing the sites of unification aspirations, lifehistory”. Following Lee’s presentation, participants discussed challengescases in various areas.

During this meeting, a number of strategies for tourism in northern Gyeonggi Province were proposed such as the development of accommodation facilities, the provision of opportunities to experience life in army barracks,the development of historical sites around the Han River estuary.
Based on the results of this meeting, Gyeonggi Province plans to devise on-going solutions for the promotion of tourism which will include the development of specialized tourism products in northern Gyeonggi Province.

2: Mobile Memorial Photo Exhibition

[News Script]
One year ago, the tragic sinking of the Republic of Korea Navy Corvette Cheonan (천안) was international news. This incident has triggered rising concern about national security among Koreans. Gyeonggi Province organized a mobile photo exhibition of the Cheonan (천안) on a subway car in remembrance of the tragic incident.

[Report]
Exactly one year ago, 46 sailors on the Cheonan (천안) perished defending the country. They have returned in a memorial photo exhibition.

On the 1st anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Cheonan (천안), Gyeonggi Province organized a Mobile Memorial Photo Exhibition on the 365 Public Service Train in remembrance of those who perished in the incidentto promote a sense of national security among citizens. Photos include images of the Cheonan (천안) in action before it was sunka North Korean torpedo attack as well as photos of the 46 sailors who died in the attack.

This exhibition was prepared on a subway car of Subway Line 1 that houses the Mobile Public Service Office so as to allow passengers to view the photos commuting.

Beginning with this memorial photo exhibition, Gyeonggi Province intends to utilize the Public Service Train as the medium for a variety of contents such as exhibitionsperformances.

Since last November, when the public service office opened in a subway car, this office has been averaging 170 consultation cases a day. Gyeonggi Province will continue to provide a variety of contents as well as administrative services readily accessiblethe public.

3: Gyeonggi Province Opposes Exemption of Acquisition Tax

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The central government of Korea announced its plan to temporarily implement a 50% acquisition tax exemption until theof this year so as to promote the real estate market. Gyeonggi Province expressed its objection to this policy on the grounds that the acquisition taxan important source of revenue for local autonomies.

[Report]
Gyeonggi Province objected to the central government’s policy to apply a 50% acquisition tax exemption for the promotion of the real estate market.
Gyeonggi Province expressed its view that the exemption of the acquisition tax isacceptable, although it acknowledged that some measures are necessary to promote housing transactions so to revive the real estate market.
Gyeonggi Province has applied exemptions of acquisitionregistration taxes for the promotion of housing transactions since 2006, but these have been proven to be ineffective. The province argues that the exemption of transfer income tax, a national tax of larger scale, would be more effective in this regard.

If the central government’s policyenforced, the projected income of Gyeonggi Provinceacquisition tax will be reduced14%, which could represent as much as KRW 519 billion. Gyeonggi Province argues that the acquisition tax exemption must be precededsupplementary measures to compensate for reduced revenues,that the current ratio of national tax versus local tax must be structurally adjusted8:2 to 6:4.

4: Gyeonggi Province Begins Pursuing Jobs for Seniors

[News Script]
The life expectancy of the average Koreangradually rising,the baby boom generation has reached the age of retirement. Since Korean societyrapidly aging, Gyeonggi Province began identifying employment opportunities for senior citizens to help ensure their stable, healthy lives.

[Report]
Gyeonggi Province plans to identify up to 30,000 jobs, including 1,000 jobs in the private sector, so as to support the stablehealthy lives of senior citizens.

Gyeonggi Province signed an agreement with 10 organizations including the Gyeonggi Association for Senior Welfare, the Gyeonggi Edu-care Association, the Gyeonggi Chambers of Commerce Association,the Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Association,held the 2011 Senior Citizens’ Job Project Inauguration Ceremony at the Gyeonggi Human Resource Development Center

Under the agreement, the Gyeonggi Association for Senior Welfarethe Senior Homecare Welfare Association will provide support for the employment of seniors who acquire an Elderly Care Worker’s Certificate in jobs that are appropriate for their capabilitiesaptitudes.

Seven other organizations will provide seniors with jobs,the Gyeonggi Employment Center will provide employment education.

Gyeonggi Province plans to a total of 40,000 jobs for seniors including 14,000 jobs in the private sector in collaboration with the Gyeonggi Hope Workplace Corporation.

Gyeonggi Province will continue to develop a variety of policies for senior citizens so as to enable them to lead their lives comfortablyhappily.

5: The Minister of Public Administration & Security Visits Animal Burial Sites

[News Script]
The number of new occurrences of foot-and-mouth disease decreased considerably as the weather became warmer, but leachatethe burial sitesenvironmental contamination are emerging as issues. The Minister of Public Administration & Security, Maeng Hyeong-gyu (맹형규), visited the burial sites of culled animals.

[Report]
The Minister of Public Administration & Security, Maeng Hyeong-gyu (맹형규), visited the burial sites of culled animals in Gimpo (김포) Cityencouraged the effective management of the sites.

While visiting the burial sites, Minister Maeng urged workers do their best to complete the work earlyexercise thorough follow-up management so as to alleviate public worries.

Minister Maeng also requested that the local government exercise extreme care to prevent environmental damage that could potentially be causedrain water.

He also visited Gimpo (김포) City Hall to meet officials who suffered injuries during disease prevention activitiesexpressed wishes for their quick recovery.

Minister Maeng promised to look into institutional measures to help alleviate the difficulties facedofficialstheir families when they are injured or killed performing their duties.

Gyeonggi Province plans to provide Muhandolbom (무한돌봄) welfare support for the stock farm workers who lost their jobsthe businesses that had to close down temporarily or permanently due to foot-and-mouth disease.

Gyeonggi Province will continue to provide case-by-case support including payment of living expensesemployment placement through Muhandolbom centers. Applications for support can be submitted to any local Muhandolbom or Gyeonggi Call center in the province.

6: Donation of USD 1 Million to Japan for Disaster Relief

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Gyeonggi Province donated USD 1 million to Japan through the Korea Red Cross to support the Japanese in their efforts to recoverthe damage causedthe earthquake, tsunamiradioactivity.

[Report]
When the disaster occurred in Japan on March 16th, Gyeonggi Province pledged to provide support. As promised, the provincial government delivered the equivalent of USD 1 million in Korean Won to the Korea Red Cross.

The Korea Red Cross said that they will immediately deliver the money to their Japanese counterpart.

Money collectedthe employees of Gyeonggi Province, which totaled over KRW 35 million, was also delivered to Korea Red Cross.

Gyeonggi Province has donated relief money of nearly USD 600,000 so far on four natural disaster occasions including the tsunami disaster in Indonesia in 2005.

Gyeonggi Province also dispatched rescue workers to Japan to help the Japanese who lost their familieshomes.

7: Volunteer WorkOfficials of Gyeonggi Province

[News Script]
Cold early spring weather lingers as reluctant to send the winter off. But you will be warmed when you hear the story of Gyeonggi provincial officials participating in volunteer work.

[Report]
A narrow alley hums with the noisea group of volunteer workers.

The Gyeonggi Love & Volunteer Cluba volunteer group of Gyeonggi provincial officials. The members of this club visit a couple who are living in a small basement room. The floorbare here,in places the flooring has been torn upscattered. Ithard to believe that people live here. Volunteer workersto move out household itemsbroken furnitureset to work repairing them.
Some volunteers install new laminated flooringwall paper others apply paste to paper.

Since it was formed in 2005, the Gyeonggi Love & Volunteer Club has engaged in a variety of activities to help needy neighborsassist farmers who needed assistance.

The members of this volunteer group who understand the difficulties facedresidents will also make a difference in the administrative services of the province.