1.[Benefits for Less Fortunate!]

The hot issue this year in Gyeonggi Province was `easing regulations in metropolitan areas.` Also, this year, various policies were d for the security of the less fortunate. Here are theten stories in Gyeonggi Province for 2008.

First of all, the 40 restrictions in the metropolitan area were finally lifted.
Gyeonggi Province carried out the improvement of metropolitan regulations as an utmost priority.

The results would have the governmenteasing the regulations of military protected areas. And according to the recently presented proposal to make territory more efficient, companies in the metropolitan area have more flexibility in their investments.

On the one hand, the economic security of the less fortunate was a core assignment for the provincial government this year. The province carried out the infinity care project for families in crisis. Just one month after being carried out 800 families received $513,000 in aid.

Also the dream tree safety school was founded helping out with the extracurricular activities of childrendual incomelow income families.

This year the metropolitan unified fare tem was expanded to include express buses drawing much attention as the number of rapid bus transit routes increased.

In addition were the Gyeonggi International Boat Show, the inducement of the Organic World Congress as well as other international events.

2.[The Organic Era Begins]

The World Organic Congress, the Olympics of organic farmersplanned to be held in 2011 in Namyangju. Gyeonggi Province has plans to use this as an opportunity to advance organic farming.

Gyeonggi Province successfully won the bid to host the 17th World Organic Congress to be held in 2011. The bid was won at the 16th rally held in Modena, Italy last June.

The board of directors of the International Federation of Agriculture Movements are the head of the entire world organic agriculture movement.

This World Organic Congress has a special significance as it will be the first of its kind to be held in Korea as well as inof Asia.

Accordingly, to enable organic farming to spread throughout Korea, Gyeonggi Province plans to build an organic related industrial infrastructure.

Mean, the IFOAM Board of Directors held an organics workshopa discussion about the direction of the 17th Congress.

The 17th World Organic Congress will take place in Jo-an myeon, Namyangju between September 28th through October 6th.

3. [Getting rid of iron fencing]

For a long time metal fencing has blocked an area near the mouth of the Han River in the name of national security. An agreement was recently concluded to do away with this fencing.

In 1970 the Han River was lined with fencing as a security measure against the North,stood there for some 40 years.

Gyeonggi Province, GoyangKimpo concluded an agreement to remove the fencing2010.

The area to be cleared includes 9.7 kilometersWoonam Dong to Gochon Dong in Kimpo, as well as 12.9 kilometersthe northern ends of the Haengju BridgeIlsan Bridge, 22.6 kilometers in all.

The regions that will be cleared are planned to be transformed into protected wetlandsa hands-on natural ecotem.

The security exposure resultingthe removed fencingplanned to be coveredinstalling the latest surveillance technology including above groundsubmerged infrared CCTV cameras.

The once stifled Han River will once again return to the people in 2010 after a thorough removal of the fencing.

4. [Discounted City Gas Fees]

Amidst the down spiraling economy, there will be those who will find this winter to be a very cold one. With a growing number of individualsable to heat their homes, Gyeonggi Province will provide city gas at a discount to those of reduced means.

Last November, with the increase in wholesale city gas prices one cubed meter rose 1 penny to about 45 cents.

Seniorsthose in the low income bracket find inflationhigher city gas prices harder to live with.

Gyeonggi Province decided to offer some relief to those consideredsociety to be in dire straits. They will be given a discount on their gas bill starting next year.

The discount for residential city gasintended for level 1 through 3 handicapped, veterans,basic livelihood recipients,

The discountabout 5 cents less per cub meter.

With this support policy 160,000 recipients in the province will be able to receive some benefit.

5. [Collecting Carbon Points]

Did you know that the number one cause of carbon dioxide gas emissions comesthe exhaust of wasted electricitygas․ A carbon point temone can receive benefits for leaving a smaller carbon footprint has had a good response.

The Oh family living in Paju, Gyeonggi Province livebreath frugality.
In the day they use natural sunlightclose the doors of rooms that doneed to be heated.

Electricitygas savings appear when using them both sparingly.

The reduced usage compared with the average usage in the past 2 years translates into points which can lead to benefits.

Since the carbon points tem began last November this apartment complex has seen a more than 70% participation ratio.

The carbon point program at presentin its trial period starting with Paju,other local autonomies,will greatly expand next year.

6. [Donate Blood All Together]

A little courage translates into a big help for others. Yet, as time goes on there are fewerfewer people donating blood resulting in a blood shortage. Donating blood should now be seen more as an obligation than a choice.

ThisKim Yeong-wook, who runs a restaurant in Suwon, Gyeonggi. She has a blood donation certificate collection box, making this place differentother restaurants.

It`s been 10 years already since starting to collect blood donation certificatescustomers. The collected blood donation certificates have been used for children who sufferleukemia.

However, recently, the blood donation certificates have been hard to come by.

Each year the number of blood donorsdiminishing resulting in a lack of blood.

Even among blood donors that do donate the number of cases of blood that cannot be usedgrowing. Thisalso true in areas affectedmalaria.

This year Gyeonggi Province enacted a bill encouraging blood donations blood donations have been steady increasing there has been no significant rise.

By putting forth a little courage, blood donations can saves lives. It looksmore interestparticipation are needed.

7. [Active Sharing]

Therestill a low income class of people who worrytheir next meal will come from. Through the `food bank,` offering free food estranged residents can experience the warmth of sharing.

In Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Yun Geum-ja runs a bakery. Twice a week she collects the leftover breadsends it to a food bank.

She does it because she thought bread that has a short shelf life could be better used to help feed residents in need.

Likewise, individuals or businesses can donate food items that can be given to seniors living alonesocial welfare centers.

This year about 300 companies in Hwaseong sent about $222,000 worth of food to the food bank.

However, supportlacking for those experiencing varying levels of difficulty.

The food bank started after the IMF crisis in 1996has been providing meals for the less fortunate in our community during the last 10 years.