[Do We Really Need Reform?]

Political discussions on reforms to the local administrative system are heating up. Experts have gathered to discuss the measures.

The reform recently released by the government is aiming at high efficiency. It will remove metropolitan autonomies and promote direct communication among cities, counties and the central government.

However, there are worries that it might ignore the identity and history of local autonomies.

Provincial Governor Kim, Mun-su, during a debate held October 20, opposed the reform.

Many experts who attended the debate contended that a local autonomy is critical not only to increasing national competitiveness and residential convenience, but also to settling the democratization of local entities.

They also pointed out that reforms that divide the province into pieces will only weaken local autonomies.

[Convenient commuting]

Public transportation in Gyeonggi Province is becoming more convenient. The unified fare system now includes express buses as of last month, and even main express buses are receiving positive reviews.

One month has passed since Gyeonggi expanded the unified fare system to include express buses.

According to analysis, more people used public transportation after the plan has been carried out.

These are the results of transit card usage three weeks after the plan has been carried out.

Gyeonggi\’s daily average number of passengers has increased by 48,000, with 50% of the increase happening to be express bus passengers.

Moreover, 15 Main Express Buses have reduced operation time by an average of 25 minutes compared to existing routes.

Interview: Lee Seong-wuk, Gyeonggi department of public traffic

There were about 14,400 passengers on the Main Express Bus on the first day. It increased to 19,000 in ten days, which is a 30% increase in ridership.

According to a customer satisfaction questionnaire regarding express buses and main express buses, most users said they were satisfied with the plan and some 81% of main express bus passengers agreed to adding additional routes.

Once the transfer discounts are settled and express bus routes are added, residents\’ commuting time will be reduced even more.

[Mobile Phone Emergency Videos]

Receiving first aid before 119 emergency rescue workers arrive is very important for anyone requiring emergency care. The mobile video service looks as if it will greatly help the process.

The mobile phone emergency measures service shows how one should respond to emergency medical conditions through videos that can be saved onto a cell phone.

interview: Lim, Guk-bin Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters

This service can be downloaded off the Gyeonggi Province Office or the Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters website, and saved onto a cell phone.

These services starting earlier this year and so far have had 10 million downloads.

Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters is executing an active advertisement campaign for more residents to learn about the service.

[Pet Registration]

Prior to Pet Registration, which will start next year, for the protection of animals and the prevention of animal abuse, Seongnam has chosen some trial cities to begin registration.

This is an animal hospital in a trial city.

A dog waits to be registered.

A single shot with a built-in chip, and the animal is registered.

The veterinarian types in the owner\’s registration information in the computer, then the owner\’s information and a unique code number is installed onto the micro chip.

After this system goes into effect, it is expected to greatly reduce the risk of losing a pet.

As the registration is being more widely known, more people are willing to register their pets.

Interview : Kim, Yong-wu/ Director of animal hospital \’A\’ in Seongnam

After registration goes into effect any unreported pets over three months old will have to pay a fine.

[3M Lab Construction]

While as many as 5 million 3M\’s products are being used in homes, offices, and various other industries. A 3M core technology research institute has been constructed in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi.

3M is a globally known brand.

3M\’s technology is all around us in office supplies, such as adhesive tapes, and automotive supplies.

One of 3M\’s seven key research institutes, 3M Korea, moved its existing Suwon institute to Dongtan, Hwaseong.

The 3M Korea Technical Institute will focus on key research, such as non-woven fabric.

The Customer Technical Support Center was opened along with a Technology Research Center.

The Customer Technical Support Center will display 3M\’s core technology, products, and examples of a real-life applications.

3M Korea\’s Research Institute, with technological research and performance, is expected to develop into a core research institute in Asia.

[Fewer Deaths from Traffic Accidents]

Gyeonggi province\’s death toll from traffic accidents has declined significantly compared with last year.

According to a report released by the province, the 2008 traffic accident death toll through September stood at 777, which is a 11.7% decrease compared to the same period last year.

It is a big drop compared to the number of traffic fatalities decreased nationwide, which has only dropped 6.7% in the same period.

The number of deaths per 10,000 vehicles is 1.8, which is a 14.3% decrease compared to last year. Also, the total number of traffic accidents have dropped by 5%.

Gyeonggi conducted this survey as a result of the \’Gyeonggi Composite Traffic Safety Measures,\’ which have been joint managed by local police, transportation companies, and other organizations.

In the beginning of the year, four regions including Ansan were selected as trial cities. Gyeonggi and each institution installed traffic cameras in places like Dongducheon, which is running short of funds and managed to improve the conditions of some areas that have frequent accidents.

Gyeonggi announced it will continue its safety measures to reduce traffic fatalities. Particularly, measures to reduce elderly traffic deaths will be set up from next year.

[Sign Assistant]

To make the streets more comfortable and beautiful, Gyeonggi province has been enforcing a \’streets with beautiful signs\’ project. A booklet introducing a business\’s achievements has been published recently.

Signs used to be loud and distracting as to attract the attention of passersby.

However, they are being reorganized as Gyeonggi introduced the \’streets with beautiful signs\’ project in 2004.

Gyeonggi published 2000 copies of a booklet titled \’Gyeonggi with beautiful signs\’ and released them to each city, district, and outdoor advertising association, in order to revitalize the \’streets with beautiful signs\’ project.

Interview: Kim, Jin-wu, Gyeonggi Design summarization and promotion

This booklet introduces examples of appropriate outdoor signs and gives guidelines and definitions of good signs and displays.