1. [3 Regions Friendship Cooperation}

There was a friendship cooperation meeting held among Gyeonggi Province, China\’s Liaoning Province, and Japan\’s Kanagawa Prefecture.

The 3 local autonomies Gyeonggi Province, China\’s Liaoning Province, and Japan\’s Kanagawa Prefecture held a meeting for friendship cooperation.

1)s-Friendship exchange meeting for 3 regions/China Friendship Hotel (October 28th)

Also including North Korea\’s North Pyeongan Province, Provincial Governor Kim Mun-su proposed developing the 4 local governments.

2)s-Pyeongan Province also included in friendship meeting

3)
(We hope Provincial Governors Chen Zhenggao and Matsuzawa to work together with us for local government in North Korea to also participate in regional cooperation.)

Meanwhile the 3 local governments promised to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, culture education, and conservation, and to support each other in joint environment protection research including saving energy, and preventing global warming.

4)s-MOU content: strengthen cooperation on the economy, culture, education, youth exchanges, conservation, and against natural disasters.

One the last day of the meeting a friendship exchange agreement was concluded with the Hebei Provincial governor. There are now 5 sister cities in Gyeonggi Province and Hebei Province that will cooperate in the fields of conservation and telecommunications.

5)s-Gyeonggi Province-Hebei Province friendship exchange agreement concluded/China Hebei Congress (October 29th)

2. [Job Crisis Resolved!]
The situation has gotten worse for young people trying to find a job. With employment shortages in college areas Gyeonggi Province is offering a chance to women in the region to find a job overseas.

Companies have drastically reduced their hiring plans in the second half due to the poor economy narrowing the chances for finding work.

There is worry on the faces of students who are about to embark a job search.

1)
{I\’m a senior and am writing up applications, but with the bad economy I fear it will be difficult to find work.}

Training is in session for flight attendants for foreign airlines at the Gyeonggi Province affiliated Gyeonggi Province Women\’s Hall.
2) s- Foreign airlines flight attendants training course

This course first offered from the first half of this year succeeded in finding work for 5 of the 20 who completed the course. The program is becoming popular among prospective flight attendants because it is tuition free and they have a chance to work for a foreign carrier.

3)
{I checked out other institutes, but the Women\’s Hall was the best in terms of cost.}

4)
{I could trust a program run by a public agency, so that\’s how I came to study here.}

At the center there are other courses including those to become a US certified accountant, and Chinese business that are offered by rolling enrollment providing various overseas job hunting opportunities.

5) s- \’woman.gg.go.kr\’ Job Hunting Information Provided

6)
{The job scene is difficult in Korea. I think that in order to resolve a path must open up to find work overseas. From now on the Women\’s Hall plans to put a priority on courses to help those find jobs overseas.}

These days 3.8 of 100 find a job,
such times call for job hunting classes offered by local government.

3. [Rice Cake Franchise]

A strategic project has been presented to further develop the Gyeonggi Province rice cake industry.

Gyeonggi Province has introduced the rice cake franchise project.

It will be called morning mate and will be aimed mainly at the youth who have a high tendency to skip breakfast.

1)s-Rice cake franchise brand \’morning mate\’

Gyeonggi Province described their strategy for morning mate as a distinguished product that can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack.

2)

Gyeonggi Province owns this brand.
The province will play the role as franchise headquarters and choose companies with satisfactory sanitary and quality management to use the name morning mate.

3)s-companies chosen for sanitation, quality

At present there are 30 locations which use only Gyeonggi rice to make the rice cakes. Sales are expected to start in November.

4)s-30 locations selling rice cake made with Gyeonggi rice

4. [Improvements on Childbirth Subsidies]

There is a subsidy for anyone giving birth to three or more children, but this childbirth subsidy has different rules by city and county causing many complaints.
A proposal to resolve the complaints has been offered.

Kim In-gyeong lives in Yongin. She gave birth to her third child in March 2008 but did not receive any subsidy because she had moved.

She moved 5 months ago, but the rules say you must live more than 6 months in Yongin to qualify for the subsidy.

1)
{I think the rules that say anyone paying taxes in Icheon or Yongin must live there for 6 months to receive the subsidy are questionable.}
$80 to $800 is earmarked for 3 children or more, but each city and county has different regulations so there are many cases of those who have not received a subsidy at all.

2)s- Each city and county has different standards

Gyeonggi Province is encouraging each city and county in the province to unify the regulations regarding the childbirth subsidies.

3)s- Gyeonggi Province, city.county subsidy improvement encouraged

4)
{Each city and county has different rules causing complaints. We are encouraging an improvement plan after gathering residents opinions.}

CG. The improvement content will eliminate the prior residency rule.
Further, anyone who qualifies can do the paperwork at the city or county level.
The period for application has been set for up to 5 years after birth.

(word: childbirth Subsidy payouts improved Kwan Jang-an/No limits on residency prior to birthday/eligible parents in city, county: newborn\’s paperwork/application period: within 5 years of birth/application procedure and fees: according to city, county ordinance and regulations)

This improvement should increase the birthrate in Gyeonggi Province once is passes.

5. [Expansion of Seniors\’ Zones]

With increased activity of senior citizens the number of senior related traffic accidents are also increasing. Areas with many seniors need special protection from such accidents.

This old woman is crossing the street despite the red light.
This is very dangerous.
Most seniors walk slowly across the crosswalk, and sometimes have poor vision causing many accidents.

1)s- Seniors at risk for traffic accidents

CG. Recently in Gyeonggi Province according to statistics the number of traffic deaths is lower than in other provinces, but the number of senior deaths are on the rise.

(word: Deaths due to accidents in the Gyeonggi region/less/777 people/September/Data/Gyeonggi Province)

Since last year Gyeonggi Province has designated senior protection areas in Ansan, Paju, and other areas as part of a trial, but has not yet expanded them to the province level.

2)s- Senior protection areas trial run

Senior protection areas, and silver zones are located within 300 meters of senior welfare facilities where the speed limit is 30 kilometers per hour.

3)s- Speed limit set at 30 Km

4)
{Its safe for both people and drivers.}

Gyeonggi Province plans to expand the senior zones to 113 places by 2012.

5)s- Senior zones to expand to 113 places by 2012

6)
{Various projects including establishing the senior zone and silvermarker, and expanding on education, silver volunteers and a well-being campaign will be carried out in the middle of next year.}

We hope this will reduce the number of accidents involving seniors.

6. [Environment-friendly Consumerism]

There is growing interest in environment-friendly products these days. And to create a consumer culture of conservation and environment-friendly products Gyeonggi Province has come forward with some measures to boost the consumption of such products.

This is a company that produces environment-friendly detergent and soap.

Products produced here are free from chemicals, and use only pure natural resources so there are no worries about bodily harm or water pollution.

1)
{Other than the main resources we don\’t use any other materials. So when washing clothes it is better for your skin especially since it dissolves in water within 24 hours.}

Of the 1300 environment-friendly product manufacturers in the country 350 or about 27% of them operate out of Gyeonggi Province.

2)s- 350 environment-friendly producers operate in Gyeonggi Province

A market for environment-friendly goods has been opened up and to promote consumption of such products Gyeonggi has established environment-friendly product corners in supermarkets in the province.

3) s- environment-friendly product corners established in supermarkets

Riding the well-being wave consumers are increasing their interest in environment-friendly products.

4)
{Environment-friendly products don\’t hurt my hands and work well. And they are good for the environment so that\’s why I use them.}

Gyeonggi Province has enacted ordinances according to each local autonomy.

5)
{Gyeonggi province has enacted 31 regulations to promote the purchase of environment-friendly products. Accordingly, it can be seen as Gyeonggi Province building a foundation for green production and consumption.}

Interest in environment-friendly products are expected to contribute to product production and increased consumption.

7. [Gyeonggi General Gymnastics]

Just like a national anthem for the country or alma mater for a school, Gyeonggi Province also has its own song.
However, it is not often played so it is becoming forgotten. But recently, a general gymnastics routine has been made in time with the song.

1) s- Samgaksan Mountain rising above many districts
a site engraved elaborately with a long history

This song was written by Lee Eun-sang and the melody was composed by Lee Hong-yeol and is titled the \’Gyeonggi Province Song.\’

2) s- Gyeonggi Province Song (Writer: Lee Eun-sang, composer: Lee Hong-yeol)

This song was composed in 1967 when the Gyeonggi Provincial Office moved from Seoul to Suwon, and existed for about 40 years, but there are few who know about it.

3) Interview: Yu Gyeong-min (42), Bak Chang-hye (57)
{I don\’t know.} {I think I heard it before, but can\’t be sure.}

4) Interview: Cha Yeong-tae (63)
{I don\’t know, I don\’t much of anything. It makes me ashamed being a resident and all.}

Recently Gyeonggi Province created a general gymnastics routine making use of this song creating quite a stir.

5) s- Gyeonggi Province general gymnastics born

6) Interview: Hong Seon-suk Director (Gyeonggi General Gymnastics Association)
{There are many who do not know this song even though they live in Gyeonggi so through gymnastics I hope to inform people about this song, and improve the health of residents so I created this gymnastics routine.}

With strong and spirited movements these gymnastics were designed for anyone to try.

7) Interview: Lee Eun-jeong Professor (Daelim College General Gymnastics Department)
{It was made in an effort to bring together the people of Gyeonggi Province who are spread out geographically.}

The Gyeonggi Province general gymnastics are planned to be performed at future events.