Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. 1. Suwon and Hwaseong Reach Agreement on Border Area Jurisdiction Issue (191223-1) The cities of Suwon (수원) and Hwaseong (화성) recently agreed on a solution to a jurisdiction issue involving an area lying on the border between the two cities. This issue can now be resolved during the first half of 2020 after a related proposal is approved by the central government. ► Apartment Complex / Mangpo-dong, Suwon City Thirty percent of this apartment complex is situated in Hwaseong (화성) City while the remainder is in Suwon City. ► Division of Administrative Jurisdiction to Cause Inconvenience for Apartment Residents Residents of the Hwaseong (화성) City area of the complex have to travel long distances to access public service centers and schools. ► Jeong Hyeok-hui, Hwaseong City Resident “We are located in an area that cannot be definitely regarded as either Suwon or Hwaseong. We face a number of serious difficulties, of which the greatest involve administrative matters…” ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (December 23) Gyeonggi Province-Suwon City-Hwaseong City Administrative Division Readjustment Agreement After six years of unsuccessful negotiations, the two cities were finally able to reach an agreement on the readjustment of the jurisdictional division of this apartment complex. ► Two Cities to Exchange Areas of Equal Size The solution will involve the two cities exchanging areas of equal size – approximately 200,000 square meters – following a suggestion made by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “We remain supportive in the resolution of this issue and will do our utmost for the development of this area regardless of its jurisdictional status. This is the second case of a jurisdictional readjustment following a similar case between the cities of Yongin (용인) and Suwon (수원) that was resolved this past September. The Korean government usually approves proposals related to such issues when endorsed by all local autonomies involved. ► Suwon City Mayor Yeom Tae-yeong “We assure you that we will continue to be a cooperative local autonomy.” ► Hwaseong City Mayor Seo Cheol-mo “I hope that this will be a major step toward realizing unity as a Gyeonggi family.” Gyeonggi Province’s proposal to the central government was also supported by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly. ► Suwon-Hwaseong Border Readjustment Expected in May 2020 After the central government’s review of the proposal, border readjustment is expected to be realized this coming May.   2. Gyeonggi Hosts Forum on Inter-Korean Relations Improvement (191224-1) Gyeonggi Province organized a public forum to devise creative solutions for the improvement of inter-Korean relations with particular emphasis on Gaeseong (개성) tour resumption and the reopening of the Gaeseong (개성) Industrial Complex. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (December 20) ‘Grand Peace Forum on Creative Solutions for Inter-Korean Relations Improvement’ Held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on December 20, this forum was organized under the theme of ‘Beyond the Wall of Sanctions to Peace.’ The official topics were ‘Let’s tour Gaeseong’ and ‘Let’s open the Gaeseong Industrial Complex’. ► Presentations and Discussions on Peace and Unification This forum saw presentations and discussions on peace and unification by specialists. ► Hong Sang-yeong, President, Koreans Help Each Other Movement “I think it is important to do something to help resume the Gaeseong tour program and reopen the Gaeseong Industrial Complex instead of just giving up.” ► Kim Jin-hang, President, Gaeseong Industrial Complex Support Foundation “They say only Gyeonggi Province can do this. If we look at it differently, we can see that crises can be opportunities.” ► Discussion on Gyeonggi Initiative for Inter-Korean Exchanges and Cooperation Discussion topics also included Gyeonggi Province initiatives for inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation. ► Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-yeong “I assure you that Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost to realize Gaeseong tour resumption and the reopening of the Gaesong Industrial Complex.” This forum featured more than 300 participants including Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-yeong (이화영), peace and unification specialists and Gyeonggi residents.   3. Gyeonggi Helps 327 Abandoned Dogs Find New Homes (191226-2) Last year alone, the number of abandoned dogs in Korea exceeded 120,000. Of these, only thirty percent found new homes. With the help of Gyeonggi Province, the number of dogs adopted by new owners has been increasing. ► Gyeonggi Assistance Dog Share Center, Hwaseong City In 2013, the Gyeonggi Assistance Dog Share Center opened with facilities for more than 100 dogs. At this center, rescued dogs receive health checks, treatments and vaccinations as well as house-training in preparation for adoption. This year, 327 dogs from the center found new lives in new homes. This is a 12 percent increase over last year, with the number increasing annually. The adoption failure rate is very low since the dogs are given two weeks to become familiar with their potential owners before leaving the center. Dogs with special capabilities are trained as assistance dogs and for animal-assisted activities. ► Lee Gye-yong, Director, Gyeonggi Province Animal Protection Division “We will continuously endeavor to improve public perception of animals and to promote pet adoption culture.” Gyeonggi Province also provides adopters with registration chip and neutering cost support. ► Gyeonggi Province Assistance Dog Share Center ☎ 031-808-6721~5 / café.daum.net/helpdogs For more information, contact the Assistance Dog Share Center by telephone or online.   4. 67 Animal Protection Violations Uncovered in Gyeonggi (191223-2) The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police recently uncovered a large number of illegal practices by animal-related businesses including inhumane slaughtering methods and unlicensed breeding. A total of 60 cases involving animal cruelty and illegal breeding were uncovered at 50 locations in the province. The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police will intensify investigations of animal-related violations.   5. Gyeonggi Province Upcycle Value Sharing Event (191223-3) On December 23, a recycling promotion event, titled ‘Upcycle Value Sharing’, was held at the Gyeonggi Province Upcycle Plaza. During the event, items of furniture were created with fiber panels made from discarded banners. Organized with the aim of promoting upcycling, this event featured more than 100 participants. The 180 items of furniture created were donated to regional childcare centers in the province.   6. Sledding and Skating at Peace Plaza, Uijeongbu (191223-4) A sledding area and skating rink opened at the Peace Plaza in front of the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex in Uijeongbu City. These facilities will operate until February 16 from 9:20 am to 5 pm on weekdays and until 7 pm on weekends and holidays. They will be closed on Mondays and during the Lunar Near Year holidays. The admission fee is KRW 1,000 per entry. Reservations can be made for groups of more than 20 persons.   7. Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Icheon Hospital Reopens (191224-2) On December 24, the Icheon (이천) Hospital of the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center reopened after the completion of expansion work that began in 2017. With its facilities expanded to 8 levels – 5 floors above ground and 3 floors below – this hospital now features significantly increased capacities with 300 beds and 12 departments. Its new cardiovascular center, rehabilitation center and regional emergency center will provide specialized services in cooperation with the Bundang (분당) Seoul National University Hospital. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.