1. [Emergency Policy Meeting]

An emergency policy meeting was held to secure public welfare amidst financial difficulties experienced by many due to the recent spike in oil and inflation.

All county headmen and mayors in Gyeonggi Province met to overcome recent financial difficulties faced by residents.

1) s- Emergency public security policy meeting / Gyeonggi Provincial Office (July 7th)

As an emergency stabilization policy the province has decided to freeze 7 public utility charges and carry out unlimited welfare support policies.

2) s- Social welfare support policy carried out for less fortunate

Gyeonggi plans to pay out a 3 month relief fund and residential support fund for low income individuals faced with difficulty in making a living in this crisis.

3) s- Livelihood relief fund provided to low income individuals

In addition, measures are planned to ease the eligibility requirements for temporary protection centers, welfare facilities and senior\’s centers for those facing difficult circumstances.

4) s- Standards for eligibility relaxed on temporary protection centers

Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Kim Mun-su emphasized seeking out and supporting basic livelihood recipients who are not receiving various support benefits to prevent families from breaking up due to financial difficulties, but on the other hand carefully investigating those who were denied support and establish order for welfare.

2. [A Home for less fortunate]

It is not easy for those living in poverty to afford a house, thankfully, very affordable government rental apartments have gone up in Anseong.

This is a newly built rental apartment complex in Anseong, Gyeonggi.

1) s- Cham Areum government rental apartments / Gongdo, Anseong

All 1500 units of this apartment are between 39 to 59 square meters and have lease contracts that are 30 years long.

With the rental fee ranging between 90,000 and 180,000 won a month it is about 65 to 80 percent cheaper than comparative apartments in the vicinity.

2) s- Monthly rents between 90,000 – 180,000 won

The tenants who have already moved in last month are happy they could achieve their dream of having a home.

3) INT – Choi Min-hee (Gondo, Anseong)
{With the elevated prices of homes I thought finding a place to stay was a pipe dream, but I\’m glad I could decide on a rental apartment of the ones I\’ve seen that was cheap and in a good location.}

One unique point is that 50 units were given to North Korean refugees.

4) s- 50 units assigned to North Korean refugees

Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation initially set aside 10 units to help North Korean refugees to settle, but have planned to allot 40 more units for the refugees.

5) INT – Kim Mun-su (Gyeonggi Provincial Governor)
{I hope that in the rental homes Gyeonggi Province has offered they can establish a base in a place where they once knew no one after leaving their hometowns.}

The government rental apartment is becoming a comfortable home for low income people who do not own a home, North Korean refugees, and others who cannot afford a home.

3. [1st in Transportation Welfare Evaluation]

At the transportation welfare evaluation that was presented at the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Gyeonggi Province ranked first out of the 9 provinces. It appears that the various transportation policies Gyeonggi Province has been carrying out have been effective.

Gyeonggi\’s transportation welfare was the best of the local governments at the provincial level.

1)s- Transportation welfare: The conditions of transportation service offered to the handicapped and to children to live safer more comfortable lives.

From June of last year to this May the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs evaluated the level of the transportation environment for adverse travelers in 7 cities an 9 provinces in Korea.

2)s-7 cities, 9 provinces evaluated

CG // In the evaluation Gyeonggi Province had good results in 3 categories including a low pedestrian accident rate, and the comfort of the public transportation facilities appearing to be set up properly according to standards, which put it in first place in transportation welfare among the 9 provinces.

{Title: Transportation Welfare Standard Evaluation Results
Lowest pedestrian accident rate (1st), comfort of the rate of public transportation appearing to be set up properly according to standards (1st), lowest accident rate for seniors and children (1st) 1st in transportation evaluation of the 9 provinces.}

Part of this was because of the general traffic safety policy which the province carried out since last year.

From now on, the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs plans to evaluate the level of transportation welfare each year, with the additional local autonomies to receive various incentives including aid to purchase low floor buses.

3)s-Aid to purchase low floor buses, incentives granted

4.[Tough Management Steps up!]

Rules for the management of Gyeonggi province affiliated public institutions look to become more strict.
This year, affiliated groups in Gyeonggi Province have concluded a management results contract.

The standard for results management in Gyeonggi Province is planned to be strengthened.

On the 4th Gyeonggi Province had 30 public institution heads sign the 2008 management results contract.

1)s-2008 Gyeonggi Province affiliated organizations management results contract concluded / Gyeonggi Provincial Office Briefing Room (July 4th)

At the management results contract signing 6 more institutions were added to last years 24 institutions including the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation.

2)s-24 institutions falling under contract expands to 30

Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province will categorize the heads of the institutions into 5 grades evaluating them for performance and will give a raise of up to 10% of their yearly salary for those with good results.

3)s-To be separated into 5 levels after 1 year.

On the other hand, those who do not have very good results will be dismissed if they record an \’F\’ grade, not to mention a cut in pay for those with poor performance. These are much more stringent countermeasures than before.

4)s-A \’F\’ grade could result in forced dismissal

5. [Establish Law and Order!]

Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Justice have joined forces to create a society of law and order, and one where citizens trust one another and feel safe.

Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Justice have concluded a working agreement for the establishment of law and order.

1)s-Ministry of Justice – Gyeonggi Province working agreement signing ceremony / NACF Suwon Distribution Center (July 7th)

The agreement between the province and the Ministry of Justice creates an environment where residents will obey laws by themselves, and a mutual cooperation for establish policies for the execution of consistent laws.

Both institutions will seek out essential problems that residents experience including sanitation inspections for food safety and projects for women and children\’s safety as a priority.

2)s-Residents\’ essential problems a priority

To do this the province has expanded the continuous \’G-Mark\’ specialty agricultural products certification that guarantees the quality of agriculture products from within the province.

3)s- \’G-mark\’ agricultural products certification project expanded

Meanwhile, at the event an appointment for the Beef Origination Control Group was held to calm consumers\’ fears of imported US beef.

4)s-Beef Origination Control Group Appointment

6. [Root Out Corruption]

Gyeonggi Province has taken steps to root out civil servant corruption. The scope of individuals who can be reported has increased and regulations regarding compensation have been revised.

Gyeonggi Province plans to take action for the prevention of civil servant corruption and to secure the transparency of civil appeals.

The province stated it will expand the scope of individuals who can be charged with corruption from civil servants working for the province and affiliated organizations, to those working for the city, county and affiliated organizations\’ employees.

1)s-Scope expanded for those who can be charged for corruption

2)
(Legal grounds have been laid out to compensate for reports of corrupt behavior. It looks as if it will help create an upright Gyeonggi Province.)

With the expansion, the number of civil servants that fall under the new corruption rules has increased to 50,000.

3)s-About 50,000 civil servants will fall under corruption rule jurisdiction

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Those who can be convicted of absurdity include acts of giving and receiving money and items or entertainment relating with public service, acts of using one\’s status for profiteering for oneself or others, or acts that hinder job performance.

Residents who provide information regarding such corruption are to be rewarded up to $10,150; if one has information it can be reported to inspector\’s offices at the province, city, or county level, or by visiting the province website.

4)s-To report: Call (080-9000-188), or visit Gyeonggi Province website (www.gg.go.kr)

7. [Uijeongbu Ganeung New Town]

The Ganeung area of Uijeongbu is being developed into a new town. The Ganeung New Town will encompass an edu-park with a comparatively competitive school district from elementary school through college.

The Ganeung region of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province will be created into a new town in North Central Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation and Uijeongbu city concluded a working agreement for the arbitration expenses and promotion work for the Ganeung new town region.

1) s- Uijeongbu Ganeung New Town working agreement signing ceremony / Uijeongbu City Hall (July 10th)

According to the agreement the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation will oversee the general development planning, establishment, and building of basic facilities.

At present the Ganeung district is made up of Ganeung Dong and Uijeongbu 2 dong and consists of about 39,000 residents.

With comparatively good school districts from elementary school through college the Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation has a plan to create this area into an edu-park.

2) s- Using education infrastructure for \’edu-park\’ to be built