[Sisterhood Relationship Established]

Gyeonggi Province set up a sisterhood relationship with Canada\’s British Columbia on the 19th in the Hwaseong
The sisterhood relationship achieved British Columbia\’s goal of strengthened trade with the Asia Pacific Region, and new renewable energy sources, while education fields as well as the reception of much desired developed technology, was consistent with Gyeonggi\’s goals.

We hope that Canada and Korea, B.C. and Gyeonggi can develop more in the future from this starting point today.

At the signing ceremony, Gordon Campbell, the British Columbia Governor was awarded honorary provincial citizenship by Gyeonggi Province.

From now on British Columbia and Gyeonggi Province will cooperate to better understand one another to become prosperous, continuing on the possibilities of making an environmental city and country.

British Columbia which will host the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, and is Canada\’s gateway to the Asian region, is a growing region, and the expansion of cooperative exchanges will help contribute greatly to the regional industry.

[Building a Wibro Network]

A wireless internet service that is high speed, but also portable otherwise known as Wibro will be available for use in Gyeonggi.

An agreement was concluded between Gyeonggi Province and KT to build a Wibro infrastructure in 16 cities and counties within the province. The Wibro Service that KT is offering was previously available only in Seoul, Bundang, Gyeonggi and a few college campuses. According to the agreement the plan is for KT to actively invest in the Wibro network facilities within the province.

We will play the role of improving the quality of life for provincial residents. We plan to do all that we can to finish by the October 10th goal for the building of the network for making the service available.

Once the Wibro foundation is laid it could be used for various public uses such as transportation and administration.

We plan to offer everyday life services to residents through realizing a mobile office using Wibro that can provide real time monitoring for fires, public peace related incidents, as well as help with communications at the scene of accidents.

Wibro service is planned to be introduced in September to Suwon and Goyang in phase 1 while Uijeongbu and 14 regions in total will be provided with service starting this October.

[Global Scholarship Conference Held!]

On May 3rd the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology invited great scholars from Korea and abroad to the Convergence Technology Global Conference.The Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, which was established by Gyeonggi and is run by Seoul National University was opened by hosting its first convergence technology global scholarship conference.

The world-renowned economist Jacques Attali opened with a keynote address using a video under the theme \’technological reform and social changes.\’ At the conference 14 representatives from Korea and abroad attended discussing convergence technology and other various topics.

Through this academic scholarship conference the Gyeonggi Province Institute of Convergence Technology will gain world acclaim and achieve in developing the field offering a chance to spring forward one step further.

[Feeling Sorry…]

The damage from the large earthquake in Sichuan seems to be gradually increasing. It is terrible that the number of victims are growing. Gyeonggi delivered some relief funds to help those suffering from the quake.
Gyeonggi came forward to help China and those afflicted by this unprecedented earthquake.

Provincial Governor Kim Mun-su met the Chinese Ambassador in person on the 19th and delivered $300,000 in relief aid. Because it would take a lot of time to disperse emergency relief goods, cash was offered instead.
Further, Chinese Ambassador Ning Fukui heard from others about the present situation and set about a support policy.

From now on Gyeonggi Province will gather information and review sending medical support as well as dispatching 119 rescue teams.

[G-Housing increases]

Gyeonggi Province carried out a G-Housing remodeling project last year to help low income households make home improvements. This year they plan to expand to more housing units.Gyeonggi plans to carry out the expansion of the G-Housing Remodeling Project, which would make improvements on old, defective homes of low income households.

The G-Housing remodeling project is not only run by Gyeonggi, but involves the Gyeonggi Urban Development Corporation, the Korea National Housing Corporation, and other public agencies. Last year\’s trial run which selected two old, and outdated houses in Osan and Suwon helped the families have a warm winter by remodeling their homes.

Accordingly this year 12 houses are to be selected greatly expanding the program, and are expected to be completed by this October.

This year the 3rd G-housing project house in Saengyeon Dong, Dongducheon was completed on the 19th, and the 4th project house in Jinwhimyeon, Pyeongtaek has received the go ahead with 10 more planned to be remodeled.

Further, this year those more keen about their living environment will have priority in being selected as a more prudent policy for selecting applicants.

[Gyeonggi Province Sports Festival!]

The 54th Gyeonggi Province Sports Festival was held over three days and ended with a completion ceremony on the 19th. 11 million Gyeonggi residents took part in the festival.

45,000 spectators gathered at the Ansan Wow Stadium. At the main stadium where the 54th Gyeonggi Sports Festival was held a colorful opening ceremony was followed by cheers from the crowd. Watching the Ansan Jeong, followed by the Chwitadae march the teams of 31 cities and counties athletes entered drawing much attention with their various colored banners.

The lighting of the flame that is to stay lit throughout the festival was in the hands of basketball player Jeong Seon-min and a foreign migrant, Soom. At the sports festival nearly 6,800 athletes participated in about 20 sports.

At the festival that was held for 4 days Suwon clasped multiple wins to make this their 4th consecutive sports festival win. The Gyeonggi Sports Festival where 10 million residents attended will be held next year in Icheon.

[Dream of a future career!]

The career education festival which offers opportunities for youths to experience various types of jobs is being held across the province and region. Students who have attended have had a positive experience.

This place that has various works and hands-on experiences for children is the Gyeonggi Career Education Festival at its peak. At this event, through hands-on learning experiences elementary and middle school students were given an opportunity to search careers and career choice support was provided for technical high school students.

Students had a difficult time about their course. Through the hands-on activities we prepared this festival to give them a chance to understands jobs.

Through various clubs and activities students could talk about the works they have made themselves and even promote them.

We could know about various jobs, so the experience was fun.

The concert held by the students also added to the atmosphere. It was a meaningful time for all the youths who attended were able to experience the world of work, and dream of their future job.