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. Gyeonggi’s Weekly Learning Program for Officials Marks 300th Session (190909-3) Recently, Gyeonggi Province’s weekly learning program for officials, titled ‘Monday Intellect’, marked its 300th session. Monday Intellect takes place at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex every Monday, providing officials with opportunities to study diverse subjects during their lunch hour. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (September 9) Weekly Monday Intellect Session A conference room of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex is filled with officials participating in a Monday Intellect session featuring, on this occasion, a string magic performance. ► Educational Programs for Gyeonggi Provincial Government Officials Taught by instructors and celebrities, Monday Intellect covers diverse topics including culture and history as well as workplace procedures. This week’s program features fellow officials who share learning experiences they acquired while pursuing hobbies such as Japanese language study and traveling through 54 nations. ► No Seo-yeong, Gyeonggi Province Logistics & Harbor Policy Team Official “I suggest that you start a hobby of your own choice now. That, I am certain, will enrich your lives.” Launched seven years ago with the aim of providing Gyeonggi officials with learning and peer communication opportunities while utilizing break times, Monday Intellect has now marked its 300th session and attracted more than 27,000 participants to date. ► Lim Bo-mi, Director, Gyeonggi Province Vision Strategy Division “We will continue to organize sessions in which officials can share their experience and knowledge. We will develop more diverse programs through the collection of suggestions.” The Monday Intellect program of Gyeonggi Province is also contributing to work-life balance among officials.   2. Gyeonggi Moves to Support Operating Room CCTV Installation at Private Hospitals (190903-1) Gyeonggi Province is promoting the installation of CCTV systems in the operating rooms of private hospitals so as to prevent medical malpractice during operations. Hospitals will be selected on an application basis and provided with installation cost support. As of last October, Gyeonggi Province had installed operating room CCTV systems in all six provincial medical hospitals. ► 62% of Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Surgery Patients Agree to Operation Recording As of this July, 62 percent of operating room patients had agreed to have their operations recorded. ► Jeong Il-yong, Director, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center “Doctor and patient trust has increased. Operation procedures are not affected by the (CCTV) systems, and they have become fixtures without causing significant issues.” The aim of these systems is to prevent medical malpractice that may occur in operating rooms. This includes the performance of procedures by unauthorized personnel. ► Gyeonggi Pursues Expansion of Operation Room CCTV Installation Through Cost Support Gyeonggi Province has been pursuing the expansion of these systems to private hospitals through an installation cost support program. Currently, the province plans to select 12 hospitals for support provision, while pursuing related statutory amendments to make the installation of CCTV systems in operating rooms mandatory. ► Yun Deok-hui, Director, Gyeonggi Province Health and Medical Service Policy Team “…can contribute to improving public trust in using operating room services while helping to resolve issues that may arise from medical accidents. We plan to expand this program based on the results of initial support cases.” Gyeonggi Province is pursuing the expansion of operating room CCTV system installation to private hospitals through related medical law amendments as well as through public relations. According to a survey conducted last September, this program is supported by 91 percent of Gyeonggi residents.   3. Gyeonggi Pursues Reopening of Gyooe Railroad Line in Northern Provincial Regions (190904-1) Gyeonggi Province and three northern cities of the province recently agreed to collaborate in reopening the Gyooe (교외) Line, a rail line that ran east to west through northern provincial regions. Running 31.8 kilometers from Goyang (고양) City to Uijeongbu (의정부) City, the Gyooe (교외) Line operated for more 40 years until its closure in 2004 due to a lack of passengers, leaving residents in these regions with transportation problems. ► Goyang City Mayor Lee Jae-jun “There is only one bus route between Goyang City and Uijeongbu City, route 3700, and it runs at 40-minute intervals.” ► Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (September 3) Cooperation Agreement for Electric Railroad Construction and Reopening of Gyooe Line The three cities involved in this agreement are Goyang (고양), Uijeongbu (의정부) and Yangju (양주). ► Governor Lee Expects Gyooe Line to Create Rail Transportation Demand in Northern Regions Asserting the necessity for the reopening of this rail line, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명) expressed expectations that its reopening may also create new rail transportation demand. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “It is true that northern provincial regions significantly lack transportation infrastructure compared with southern regions. It is important to utilize existing facilities to the fullest extent possible.” Via the Gyooe (교외) Line, travel from Neunggok (능곡) Station in Goyang (고양) City to Uijeongbu (의정부) Station would take 30 minutes. ► Shim Sang-jeong, Korean National Assembly Member “I am certain that the Gyooe Line will not only become a rail line of hope into the future but also a symbolic cultural asset of Gyeonggi Province and of Korea.” ► Gyeonggi and 3 Cities to Collaborate in Reopening of Gyooe Line as Double-Track Electric Line According to this agreement, Gyeonggi Province and the three cities will collaborate in the reopening of the Gyooe (교외) Line, pursuing its realization as a double-track electric line through proposals to related central government agencies.   4. Former Quarries in Gyeonggi Reborn as Tourist Destinations (0904) In Gyeonggi Province, closed and unsightly quarries that formerly supplied stone to the construction industry have been transformed into popular tourist destinations that feature local characteristics. ► Pocheon Art Valley, Pocheon City Art Valley in Pocheon (포천) City is situated on the site of a former granite quarry that had been in production for more than thirty years. It remained unutilized for more than a decade after its closure, exposing unsightly scars on a mountain slope. However, this site now boasts attractive scenery with an artificial waterfall and beautiful cliffs. ► Yu Myeong-ran, Visitor from Seoul “It surprises me to find such beautiful cliffs. When I come out here to escape tedious office work, I feel refreshed and younger.” Also featuring a sculpture park, an exhibition hall and a monorail line, Art Valley was selected as one of the top 100 tourist destinations of Korea. It was even used as a recording location for a TV drama. ► Park Min-yeong, Pocheon City Culture and Tour Guide “We receive 6,000 daily visitors on weekends. The waiting line of visitors can stretch down there below the monorail.” ► Byeongmokan Citizens’ Park, Anyang City Another former quarry in Anyang (안양) City had been in production since the Japanese occupation of Korea. It is now a very popular public park featuring a 65-meter artificial waterfall, a turfed plaza and amusement park amenities. ► Lee Jong-dae, Visitor from Gunpo City “Children can play at the playground down there, while seniors can enjoy the scenery. There are lots of good things here.” There is also an old quarry in Ansan (안산) City that is currently being transformed into a tourist destination. ► GTV Reporter Choi Chang-sun “Unsightly old quarry sites in Gyeonggi Province are being reborn as places that provide residents with relaxation and pleasure. This is Choi Chang-sun, Gyeonggi GTV.”   5. Shinansan Double-track Rail Line Construction Begins in Southwestern Gyeonggi (0909) On September 9, groundbreaking for the double-track Shinansan (신안산) Subway Line took place in Ansan (안산) City. When completed in 2024, this subway line will carry passengers from Ansan City to Yeoido (여의도) in Seoul in just 25 minutes. ► Shinansan Line Construction Site, Ansan City Without metropolitan railway connections, travel from southwestern Gyeonggi regions to Seoul takes more than an hour. ► Kim In-jin, Ansan City Resident “Yes, we have difficulties. We have to transfer many times (to go to Seoul). There are few direct bus routes, too. We have to travel via Suwon and it’s very inconvenient.” ► Kim No-mi, Siheung City Resident “It takes a long time to transfer and it’s tiring. I couldn’t be happier to have a direct line.” ► Ansan City Hall (September 9) Shinansan Double-track Rail Line Construction Groundbreaking Ceremony Connecting the cities of Siheung (시흥) and Ansan (안산) to Seoul, the Shinansan double-track subway line will alleviate transportation problems in southwestern Gyeonggi regions. ► 44.7 km Railroad with 15 Stations It will run 44.7 kilometers and encompass 15 stations. ► Run 40m+ Below Ground at 110km/hour Constructed more than 40 meters below ground, trains on this line can run at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. ► Travel Time Reduced Significantly Via the Shinansan (신안산) Line, the travel time between Hanyang (한양) University and Yeoido (여의도) will be reduced from 100 minutes to only 25 minutes, while the travel time between Wonsi (원시) in Ansan (안산) City and Yeoido (여의도) will be reduced to 36 minutes. This line will also offer transfer connections to other local lines. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “I believe that this is a truly important project that will contribute to the advancement of western Gyeonggi regions as well as all of Gyeonggi Province. We will provide maximum support for this project.” When the Shinansan (신안산) Line begins operation in 2024, it will help alleviate transportation problems in southwestern Gyeonggi regions while contributing to balanced regional development.   6. Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Unanimously Approves Administration’s Revised Supplementary Budget (0910) On September 10, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly unanimously approved Gyeonggi Province’s third revised supplementary budget of the year. This budget includes funds for response measures to Japanese restrictions on exports to Korea. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly (September 10) 4th General Meeting of 338th Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Extraordinary Meeting The passage of this budget took place during the 4th general meeting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly’s 338th extraordinary session. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명) expressed appreciation for the provincial assembly’s support in transforming Japanese trade restrictions into an opportunity and offered assurances of transparent budget ution. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “This revised supplementary budget will be used as reliable support for industries, especially SMEs, that were affected [by Japanese export restrictions.] We will ute the budget transparently and properly as planned.” ► Includes KRW 32.6 Billion to Respond to Japanese Export Restrictions Of this supplementary budget, which totals KRW 26.7 trillion, approximately KRW 32.6 billion has been allocated for response measures to Japanese export restrictions. ▲ Import Source Diversification and Technology Domestication ▲ Semiconductor Technology Manpower Cultivation ▲ Support for SMEs and Large Enterprises for Joint R&D and Marketing These measures are divided into three categories: import diversification and technology localization, semiconductor technology workforce cultivation, and support for SMEs and large enterprises in joint R&D and marketing. Of particular note, Gyeonggi Province will: - establish the Gyeonggi-Russia Technology Cooperation Center via an agreement with an innovative Russian technology enterprise; - assist industries in strengthening competitiveness through the diversification of semiconductor material imports; - create a comprehensive cooperation network of industry, academia, research institutes and public offices for semiconductor technology localization and workforce cultivation; - and establish a foundation for localization fund management while assisting SMEs with marketing and promoting cooperation between SMEs and large enterprises. Through these multifaceted efforts, Gyeonggi Province expects to assist domestic enterprises in the minimization of damage and improvement of competitiveness.   7. Gyeonggi Announces Public Rental Housing Project for Middle Class (0910) Gyeonggi Province recently announced a new concept in rental housing projects. Unlike ordinary rental housing projects that serve working-class families, this new project targets the middle class. Its location, Gwanggyo (광교) New Town, is also an area that is popular among middle-class families. ► Gwanggyo New Town, Suwon City A real estate transaction survey by a GTV reporter revealed that the highest-priced apartments in this area, those located near a local lake and amenities, sold for approximately KRW 12 million per square meter on average. Even the lowest prices in this area do not fall below KRW 5 million per square meter. ► Real Estate Agency, Gwanggyo New Town “Since apartments are being continuously constructed in Gwanggyo New Town, they are relatively modern with their prices having increased approximately two-fold since completion. Especially in areas close to the local lake and the future provincial government complex site, prices have more than doubled.” ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (September 10) Announcement of Rental Housing Supply Plan for Middle Class With apartment prices soaring in publicly developed new towns, most house hunters find it extremely difficult to purchase an apartment in such areas. Gyeonggi Province’s new rental housing project aims to provide aspiring homeowners, primarily middle-class families, with a long-term housing solution. ► 20-Year Rental Available at 90% of Local Lease-based Deposits These rental housing units for the middle class are available on terms that differ significantly from those for working-class rental housing units. These units are available for 20 years and require lease deposits that are 10 percent lower than local market prices. ► Lee Heon-wuk, President, Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation “This is a quality rental housing project that replaces a purchase-based housing supply with lease-based rentals so as to relieve difficulties faced by home seekers due to increasing apartment prices and financial burdens.” ► 549 Middle-class Rental Housing Units Slated for Occupation in 2023 Gyeonggi Province expects that this project will help eradicate lottery-like apartment sales and speculative purchases. The province plans to construct 549 rental housing units with floor areas of 60 to 85 square meters in Gwanggyo New Town by the year 2023. Of these, 20 percent will be allocated to youths, young couples and seniors. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.