1. [Transfer Discount for Express Bus]

The express buses that tout passengers to and fro from Seoul to Gyeonggi Province do not include a transfer discount making it more costly for passengers. But, a discount will soon be offered to express bus travelers.

This is an express bus that travels from Suwon Station to Jamsil.

The express bus fee stands at $1.69, but when you transfer to the subway or another bus after arriving at Jamsil Station there is no transfer discount.

At present, Gyeonggi buses, the subway, and Seoul buses all offer a transfer discount under the metropolitan unified fare system, except for express buses.

However, as early as this September express buses that operate in the metropolitan area could be included in the transfer discount.

1) s- Express buses included in transfer discount from September

Presently a trip from Suwon station to Jamsil Station using an express bus followed by a subway ride to Wangshimni Station is total of 47.4 kilometers and costs $2.58, but after the discount goes into effect only $1.88, a savings of $0.70.
{Discount of $0.70 when traveling from Suwon, Jamsil, and Wangshimni}

With a great number of Gyeonggi and Seoul express buses on curved routes, with most of the last stops centering around either Gangnam Station or Gwanghwamun a plan is underway to minimize traveler discomfort.

2) s- Plan to adjust bus routes

2. [A View of Paldang Lake!]

The newly created Paldang Water Quality Improvement Headquarters recently opened its doors. And it even has its own lake view.

Paldang Lake provides drinking water for 24 million residents in the Metropolitan Area. The lake is so beautiful just looking upon it can be refreshing.

But, now there is a new place of interest that was created to look upon the lake.

The Paldang Water Quality Improvement Headquarters which moved into a nearby remodeled hotel includes a water environment exhibit.

1) s- \’Paldang Water Environment Exhibit\’ Established

The exhibit was built to inform visitors about the past and present of Paldang Lake and of the efforts being put into improving the lake\’s water quality.

2) s- Visitors can learn about Paldang Lake\’s past and present

From now on Gyeonggi Province plans to install water treatment plants along each of the rivers that feed into Paldang Lake to create a more environment-friendly lake.

3) s- Plan for the establishment of water treatment plants

3. [Support for Museums and Art Galleries]

Gyeonggi Province has made plans to increase support for museums and art galleries in the province. The support budget is so substantial that even facilities that have experienced financial difficulties are to receive ample support.

There are nearly 100 museums and art galleries like the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum being operated in the province.

To increase the opportunities for residents to experience culture, Gyeonggi Province has made public its goals of increasing support for museums and art galleries in the province.

1) s- Increased support for museums, and art galleries

2) INT – Pak Deok-jin
{In the province private museums and art galleries have started and have been run as private collections, however we are planning to provide support for residents to have a more cultured life.}

There are aims already to secure parking and public bathrooms in art galleries and museums that are somewhat lacking.

To provide such support this October the province will enact the museum and art gallery promotion law earmarking $1.19 million this year to increase to $4.98 million by next year.

3) s- Budget of $4.98 million earmarked for next year

Further a proposal is under review to offer financing for facilities facing financial difficulties in day to day operations.

4. [No Sweat!]

Gyeonggi Province had recently announced public utility charges to be frozen, yet it seems transportation companies in Gyeonggi have also benefited from this.

The Gyeonggi Region Auto Labor Union along with 4 other transportation organizations in the province had a gathering.

1)s-\’Freezing of 7 utility charges\’ declaration/Gyeonggi Province Assembly Room (July 21st)

These groups stated their support for the province\’s decision this year to freeze 7 utility charges.

2)sync- Jang Woon-dong, Gyeonggi Region Auto Labor Union
(Recently Gyeonggi Province has actively supported a secure policy for the 7 utility charges, and we have attended to ensure effective follow up.)

Accordingly, the Gyeonggi bus fares and other fares will not be raised for the time being.

Gyeonggi Province\’s policy plays a major role for those who attended.

Due to the high oil costs, the province has decided to provide $39.74 million to bus companies and $4.47 million to taxi companies.

3)s-Bus and taxi companies provided additional support

It appears that the related organizations whom the utility charge freezing policy effects will have more flexibility.

5. [City and County, Partners!]

The province and local autonomies in Gyeonggi have changed the relationship they mutually share from a vertical one to a partnership.

The province and front line local autonomies appear as if they will change the relationship they have with each other.

Gyeonggi Province will increase their self-regulation, and give them more power.

1)sync- Han Seok-gyu, Gyeonggi Province Planning Mediation Section Chief
(From now on the province\’s power will rest on the city and county and the management of cities and counties will lie on strengthened self-regulation.)

Accordingly, cities and counties will be entrusted with 20% of the authority up from the present 13%.

2)s-More Power to Cities and Counties

In addition projects that are funded by the city or county that amount to $496,850 or less are planned to be handled completely by the city or county.

3)s-Projects $496,850 or less to be handled by city our county

Further regular city and county meetings will be held once every two months to stimulate communication.

4)s-Regular city and county meetings to be held

6. [We are One]

In the last counting in March there were about 3,000 North Korean refugees living in Gyeonggi Province. A forum was held to help them better assimilate to South Korean society.

Amidst the increasing number of North Korean refugee population Gyeonggi Province spent some time reviewing present policies to find a support policy that could extend to local society.

1)s-Gyeonggi Province North Korean Refugees Settlement Support Proposal Policy Forum / Gyeonggi Province Administrative Fellows Hall (July 22nd)

2)s-
{By March of this year there were nearly 3,000 North Korean refugees residing in Gyeonggi Province, so we have made preparations on the local level to handle the role we must play.}

At the forum there were strong opinions to move the support policies for North Korean refugees from the present central government level to the local level.

Further, showing that it was imperative a connection at work through solving their living problems and offering job training would be the answer for these people to assimilate to the way of life here.

3)s-Residential, work problems urged to be solved

4)s-
{It seems that for the North Korean refugees to have a more secure work situation they should be given the freedom to move to a different residence. I feel that because their homes are so far from work it is creating much difficulty for them.}

On the one hand Gyeonggi Province initiated the local support for the refugees to settle including programs like the government rental apartments that many of them have started to move into.

7.[Returning Age of the Yellow Sea]

Gyeonggi Province and South Chungcheong Province have made a pact to create an administrative office that will have jurisdiction over the Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone.

An opening ceremony was held in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province for the Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone Office which will lead the economic activity of the Yellow Sea region

1)s-Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone Office / Dangjin Literary Hall (July 22nd)

2)s-Interview: Lee Wan-gu South Chungcheong Provincial Governor
{Under a system that is independent, self-governing and responsible I believe things can happen. I expect both sides working together to play a role as the motive power for national development.}

The Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone Office will have jurisdiction over 5 cities and counties including South Chungcheong Province\’s Dangjin, Asan, and Seosan and Gyeonggi\’s Pyeontaek and Hwaseong, with both provinces employing 1200 civil servants to serve in the office.

3)s-Jurisdiction of 5 cities and counties over nearly 55 million ㎡

The Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone will receive $7.35 billion in three phases through 2025 and will include hi-tech industries and an international distribution complex.

4)s-Nearly $7.35 billion to be supported through 2025

5)s-Interview: Kim Mun-su Gyeonggi Provincial Governor
{With excellent key figures it will be managed successfully making our Yellow Sea a center in Northeast Asia and as the name might imply, a \’Golden Coast.\’}

Many are hoping for the infrastructure of the Yellow Sea Free Trade Zone to be built without a hitch and for the return of the Yellow Sea era as a distribution hub of Northeast Asia and as an economic stronghold.