1.[Now a Sea Route to Europe]

Pyeongtaek Port is truly a strategic point in the Pan Yellow Sea Region without compare. Now the newly opened sea route to Europe will play a major role in stimulating Pyeongtaek Port.

Following the opening of a sea route to North America last January a new sea route has been opened that will connect directly to Europe.

1)s- First sea route from a west sea port

On the 8th the first ship launching ceremony was held aboard the Bux Star marking the beginning of all out operations.

2)s- First ship launching ceremony for sea route to Europe / August 8th

The newly established sea route to Europe will make sure 9 of CMA-CGM Corporation\’s largest 5400 TEU grade ships run shipments one port a week from places such as China and Malaysia, passing through Turkey and other ports before reaching Europe.

3)s- 9 Container ships, running one port a week

As the world\’s 3rd largest shipping company, the hosts of the launching ceremony, CMA-CGM will play a significant role in connecting for the first time directly to European shipping companies\’ large mothership container ships in the Mediterranean.

4)s-Interview: Kim Ki-se, Railport Logistics Department
#Because of the quantity of materials being shipped, the Pan Yellow Sea region, which plays a most important role will become a strategic port. Also with the effect of increased shipments, we can expect an increase of between 50,000 and 60,000 TEU.

Along with the opening of a route to North America a route all the way to Europe will boost Pyeongtaek Port\’s image even more with prospects of Pyeongtaek Port being continually used in the future by large domestic and foreign shipping companies.

2.[Rose of Sharon Festival!]

A rose of sharon festival was held in commemoration of the 60th National Foundation Day and to boost

The opening ceremony for the National Flower Rose of Sharon Festival was held at the Mulhyanggi Arboretum in Osan, Gyeonggi on the 18th.

1)s-The 18th National Flower Rose of Sharon Festival / Gyeonggi Mulhyanggi Arboretum (August 12th~17th)

At the festival which lasted for 6 days many residents, Provincial Governor Kim Mun-su, Korea Forest Service Minister Ha Yeong-je and many residents attended to celebrate.

At the opening ceremony of the rose of sharon festival there was an awards ceremony for outstanding roses of sharon.

Also, at the location where 100,000 post cards were written showing affection for the Dokdo Islands the Gyeonggi Provincial Governor and Korea Forest Service Minister also wrote the words \’Dokdo is Korean Land\’ grabbing much attention.

2)s-Event where 100,000 postcards were written

At the festivities that continued until the 17th 1200 rare roses of sharon were on display providing a new experience for visitors to be more closely connected to the flowers after understanding how they have been cultivated.

3)s- About 1200 roses of sharon on display

3.[Business Taxi System] 8/12-3

Have you heard of the business taxi system? It\’s a kind of call taxi that is used instead of a company car. The Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation is the first to introduce the system in Gyeonggi Province.

sync – employee
#\’Hello, I\’m calling from the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation. I have a business trip and need a taxi\’#

After about 5 minutes the taxi pulls up in front of the office.

Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation employees who frequently have business trips will start using business taxis for short distances starting this month instead of company cars.

1) s- GUIC to use business taxis for short business trips

The taxis sent from the contract taxi company operates regular taxis, but sends business taxis when the call comes.

The business taxi fare is the same as normal taxis but are paid for with a special company credit card.

2) s- Taxi fare paid with company credit card

On top of paying monthly the employees are able to make better use of their time.

3) INT – Pak So-eun, Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation Home Sales Division
#It\’s convenient to not have to drive or worry about a parking space helping me save time.#

From the company\’s perspective it is much more economical than the burden of using company cars and drivers on top of exorbitant fuel costs.

4) s- Gas saved and more economical

5) INT – Im Seon-mun (GUIC General Affairs Team)
#While solving the problem of not enough parking spaces the corporation is looking to save on expenses through use of the system.#

Business taxis first introduced in Korea in the 1990\’s have been actively supplied to companies in Seoul for the past 2 years.

4. [Making Transit Cards Obligatory]

Gyeonggi Province has decided to make obligatory the use of intercity bus transit cards.

For more convenient use of public transportation under the intercity bus transit card that was introduced in 2006 5 kinds of prepaid cards and 10 kinds of credit cards could be used within the province.

1)s- 5 kinds of prepaid cards, 10 kinds of credit cards used

However, because other cities have not yet introduced the system and do not accept the use of transit cards and because of the trouble of managing the number of seats transportation companies have been reluctant to using the transit card system.

2)s- Transportation companies reluctant to use transit card system

-cg-
Accordingly, the province stated it will make obligatory 8 items for the early stages of the transit card system including affixing transit card promotion stickers, information broadcasts about the system and banning the induction of sales booths for tickets.

(cg Items to be made obligatory: Promotion stickers to be affixed informative broadcasts made about the system, prohibition of induction of ticket sales booths, installing and operation terminals, renewing the latest information of terminals, inputting route information by vehicle, full knowledge of terminal operation.)

By the end of this month, the province after passing a guidance period will make inspections from the first of next month, and will levy surcharges or close operations where a breach is discovered.

3)s- On site inspections to be carried out from September 1st

Further, plans for transit cards to be interchangeably used throughout the country are being actively promoted.

4)s- Plans for transit cards to be interchangeable nationwide

5.[New Mini Vegetables Debut]
Mini vegetables have come out including cucumbers, paprika and other vegetables that are one tenth the size of regular vegetables. So far consumers are responding favorably to the new vegetables that are more convenient to cook.

Here consumers can purchase various colored vegetables including red paprika, yellow squash, and white egg plant.

1) s- Gyeonggi Province Seongnam Supermarket

Different in color, these vegetables are one tenth the size of standard vegetables.

On the 5th the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services have begun actively distributing the produce they developed after about 3 years of research.

2) s- Mini vegetables are here

3) INT – Lee Su-yeon, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research & Extension Services Horticulture Research Department
#The produce were made so that one can ingest 5 different colors of vegetables at once improving consumers health.#

They are about 5% more expensive than regular produce,
but have the same taste and nutrition as standard vegetables,
and have received favorable reviews from consumers who prefer the compact size for cooking.

4) INT – Kim Myeong-hee (Seongnam, Imae Dong)
#They are small and cute, the perfect size for one meal.#

The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research & Extension Services is cultivating vegetables in 5 places, but depending on strong consumer demand plans to increase the number of farms.

6.[Victory Through Quality!]

The environment friendly certification project for products by the handicapped is a system that was carried out to boost the quality of the products they produce and stimulate sales. Gyeonggi Province plans to increase the number of items they produce.

In a workshop in Seongnam mentally retarded individuals are producing renewed cartridges.

1)s-Canaan Workfare Center \’Rainbowtech\’/Seongnam Yatap Dong

The products made here undergo a process that includes wiping off the dust to replace the parts, but have received an environment friendly certification.

2)Interview: Choi Se-jeong, Canaan Workfare Center
#There is a tendency of recognizing products by the handicapped as poor in quality, but having received an environment friendly certification it has helped greatly in increasing product quality and expanding the market.#

There are 4 items including cartridges that have received the environment friendly certification for products by the handicapped in Gyeonggi Province, that are being sold through the Teddy Joint Market.

3)s-Items with an environment friendly certification for products by the handicapped: furniture, renewed cartridges, toilet paper, environment-friendly envelopes

From the quality side, the environment friendly certified products are proven to be trusted, and according to handicapped welfare laws have more legal force than the handicapped products purchase act in aiding sales.

4)s-System of environment friendly products by the handicapped: Purchase support under the most secure national policy

5)Interview: Jo Seok-hwan, Gyeonggi Province Teddy Joint Market
#We are seeing through the formal environment friendly certification that products by the handicapped are trustworthy and reliable.#

Accordingly, the province will provide support for more than 7 items to receive the environment friendly certification.

6)s-7 items to be provided support for environment friendly certification

7. [Odors are Gone]

The intensity of odors coming from the Banwol and Shihwa industrial parks have gradually subsided, with the levels of air pollution on the decline as well.

As national industrial parks the Banwol and Shihwa Industrial parks, the largest in the country are recognized for their value, but are more notorious for their stench.

The Kyonggido Institute of Health and Environment
cited 53 items that give off strong odors and the results of monitoring shows that most of the items are maintaining a lower intensity compared with last year.

1)s-Lower odor maintained over last year

Especially since 22 of the designated odor items cited by the court have been tested and are within an allowable limit. With reductions in most areas confirmed from the aspect of air quality clear improvements can been seen.

2)s-Designated odor items within an allowable limit

However in the Shihwa Industrial Park xylene levels were somewhat high, and in the Banwol Industrial Park it was Ammonia requiring the fitting of sewage treatment facilities and continual inspections.

3)s-Sewage treatment facilities and inspections required