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. Don’t Buy Pets, Adopt Them (0427-1) With people spending more time at home since the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of families in Korea looking for animal companions has been increasing. The Gyeonggi Assistant Dog Sharing Center is a good place to find such a life-long companion. ► Gyeonggi Assistant Dog Sharing Center, Hwaseong City At this center, a number of well-groomed dogs are waiting for new owners. Most of these dogs are small breeds rescued from the euthanasia lists of regional animal pounds. However, these dogs can be adopted by new owners as companion or assistant animals after receiving vaccinations, necessary treatments and training. ► Hwang Yu-ran, Dog Adopter “I was nervous at first. However, my worries were quickly replaced by satisfaction and happiness as soon as I brought him home.” ► GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hui (anchorkim0713@gg.go.kr) “I came to the Gyeonggi Assistant Dog Sharing Center. There are 70 abandoned dogs here. You can adopt the right dog for you by visiting this center.” ► Dog Adoption Doubles During COVID-19 Pandemic As people spend more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of dog adoption cases has been increasing. This past March, 57 dogs found new homes, twice as many as last year’s monthly average. ► Gu Gyeong-nyeo, Veterinarian, Gyeonggi Province Animal Protection Division “The number of adopters increased recently. More than twice as many as last year.” Since adopters may choose a trial adoption period of two weeks, they have a chance to consider the match before actual adoption. With 100,000 animals being abandoned annually in Korea, adoption, instead of purchase, may help reduce the number of homeless animals.   2. Mini Road-cleaning Vehicles Introduced in Narrow Streets of Gyeonggi (0423-1) With standard road cleaning vehicles being unable to access narrow streets, such places must be cleaned manually. However, since there are a limited number of sanitation workers available, Gyeonggi Province began utilizing small vehicles to clean narrow backstreets from last year. ► Nueup-dong, Osan City In this residential area in Osan (오산) City, a small vehicle travels through back alleys, spraying water and sweeping the roads with a front-mounted spinning brush while also clearing dust. This is one of the mini road-cleaning vehicles introduced by Gyeonggi Province. ► Kim Hyeong-jun, Mini Road-cleaning Vehicle Driver, Osan City “Today, while large vehicles went to clean main streets, we came to clean narrow streets around this area using small vehicles.” Many streets in residential areas and back alleys are inaccessible by large road-cleaning vehicles. These narrow streets often see large accumulations of dirt since sanitation workers cannot manually clean all such streets. These small road-cleaning vehicles are used for streets that are too narrow for larger vehicles. ► Jang Gap-sun, Local Resident “Previously, the streets in this neighborhood were cleaned by resident seniors. We are really grateful that this small vehicle has taken over the work.” ► Gyeonggi Introduces Mini Road-cleaning Vehicles Last Year As part of microdust reduction efforts, Gyeonggi Province introduced the mini road-cleaning vehicles last year. Currently, 16 vehicles are operating in seven cities of the province, with more vehicles to be added this year. ► Kim Sun-bon, Deputy Director, Gyeonggi Province Community Cooperation Team “There were limits to cleaning narrow streets due to a shortage of sanitation workers. However, we expect that the operation of small road-cleaning vehicles will have a significant impact on cleaning narrow streets and reducing microdust.” ► Cleaning of Residential Areas and Back Alleys Working faster than sanitation personnel, these mini road-cleaning vehicles are reducing microdust while cleaning up urban backstreets.   3. Gyeonggi Residents Hope Disaster-related Basic Income Helps Local Economy (0428-2) GTV surveyed residents of Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province regarding the provincial disaster-related basic income payment of KRW 100,000, which is usable within a 3-month period of receipt and approval. ► Fruit Store, Gimpo City (April 2) The owner of this fruit store hopes to see an increase in sales after the province began payment of COVID-19-related basic income to residents. ► Cho Yong-hyeon, Fruit Store Owner, Gimpo City “I am hopeful that the overall economy will improve at least one percent when the KRW 100,000 is paid to individuals under circumstances in which the market economy has shrunk due to reduced personal income…” ► Residents Hope Disaster-related Basic Income Helps Household Economies Residents have welcomed the disaster-related basic income payment, hoping that it will help household economic situations. ► Han Min-gyu, Communication Enterprise Agency Employee “The entire nation is facing difficulties… with the economy becoming worse… When we heard that disaster-related basic income will be paid, all members of my family were glad. My plan is to use the money on good market foods. It will be okay if we go there wearing masks.” ► Kim Gu-ra, Broadcast Entertainer “I am also a Gyeonggi resident. Many people are facing difficulties due to COVID-19. However, I hope that people will use the disaster-related basic income wisely and take heart.” [CG] According to a survey conducted via a portal site, 56.1 percent of respondents agreed that sales have increased after payment of disaster-related basic income while 73 percent agreed that the payment helped their sales. ► Gimpo City Mayor Jeong Ha-yeong “I hope that this (disaster-related income) will reignite hope in the economy, while being used as helpful support for household economic stability.” ► Residents Hope Disaster-related Basic Income Will Also Aid Local Economic Revival Gyeonggi residents also hope that disaster-related basic income will aid local economic revival and contribute to the improvement of the national economy.   4. Gyeonggi Pursues Revision of Provincial Anthem Lyrics (0428-1) In a recent contest for new Gyeonggi provincial anthem lyrics, more than 1,500 entries were received. The previous lyrics were disallowed following allegations that their writer was a pro-Japanese activist. ► Gyeonggi Sangsang Campus (April 27) New Gyeonggi Provincial Anthem Lyrics Selection During the contest, recognized music and lyric writers worked hard to review the entries. ► Kim Yeong-ae, Music Writer “I looked for something new and more appealing to the public…” ► Yun Il-sang, Music Writer “I believe that lyrics with truthful meaning, even if the expression is not sophisticated, are better.” The Gyeonggi provincial anthem lyrics contest was held in an audition format similar to comparable TV programs. After disallowing the previous lyrics last year, Gyeonggi Province held this invitational public event over a 3-month period that began in January. ► 1,529 Entries Submitted for Gyeonggi Provincial Anthem Lyrics This was the second such event, which saw 1,529 entries, following the first attempt last year that ended with no new lyrics being selected. ► Yun Il-sang, Chief of Judges “I deeply emphasized with the idea. Since this anthem is to be used for hundreds of years, we focused on truthfulness of content among entries with similar expressions in our selection process.” ► 15 Candidates Subject to Online Resident Reviews (https://survey.gg.go.kr/) The 15 candidate lyrics selected during this event are subject to online resident voting that began on April 29 as well as reviews by specialists. With three finalists selected, a public invitation event for music entries will open on May 18. ► Cho Byeong-taek, Chief Official, Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation Policy Project Team “The previous Gyeonggi provincial anthem was written in 1967. After Lee Heung-ryeon, one of its writers, was condemned as pro-Japanese, Gyeonggi Province decided to adopt a new provincial anthem for a new era.” The new Gyeonggi provincial anthem, which is being created by Gyeonggi residents and selected by resident votes in October, will be introduced in early December.   5. Illegal Online Loan Shark Ring Uncovered by Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police (0429-3) The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police recently apprehended a ring of loan sharks who victimized more than 3,600 individuals online with low credit ratings by charging astronomical annual interest that in some cases exceeded 30,000 percent. GTV examined the details. ► Loan Shark’s Office This criminal ring, known as ‘Golden Loan Circle,’ was comprised of 9 hometown acquaintances with an average age of 30. [Sync] “We came to exercise a search and seizure warrant.” These loan sharks have been operating in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Busan regions since June 2018. ► Illegal Loan Business Operation through Online Ads Through online advertising, these individuals primarily targeted working-class individuals. ► Illegal Loan Shark Victim (voice modulated) “Starting with banks, I looked everywhere to secure loans or support and ended up contacting them. Those with low credit ratings who cannot fulfill the requirements have no choice but to go to them.” This illegal operation was centered on high interest rates set far beyond legal limits. ► Annual Interest Rates up to 31,000% Charged On one occasion, these loan sharks made a loan for KRW 270,000 and collected repayment of KRW 500,000 the next day, which is equivalent to 31,000 percent in annual interest. They even made threats using the addresses of family members and acquaintances of the victims. ► Kim Yeong-su, Superintendent, Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Fairness “No fewer than 3,610 individuals fell victim (to these loan sharks) with the loan amounts totaling KRW 3.5 billion. The highest annual interest rate they charged exceeded 31,000 percent, the highest ever uncovered among loan crimes on record…” The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police pressed criminal charges against all 9 individuals and will send them to prosecution upon completion of investigations. The Special Judicial Police will continue efforts to eradicate illegal loans by intensifying investigations of unregistered online loan businesses and operating on-site consultation services.   6. Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team Helps Fight COVID-19 (0429-2) Since the first COVID-19 case was identified in Korea 100 days ago, many remarkable acts have been seen at response sites with many people volunteering to work alongside those on the frontlines. GTV examined some of these scenes involving Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team members, who help local public offices and pharmacies with related jobs. ► First Day of Designated Mask-purchasing Day System Implementation (March 9) “There are times when we unplug the telephone since we cannot answer so many enquiries. During mask-retail hours, we are completely unable to perform normal jobs such as filling preions or attending to the needs of other customers.” On the first day of the ‘designated mask-purchasing day system,’ pharmacies were overwhelmed by long lines of people seeking masks. ► First Day of Disaster-related Basic Income Application Period (April 20) On the first day of the disaster-related basic income application period, this local public office was inundated by applicants. ► Geumgok-dong Administration and Welfare Center (April 27) When we visited the same local public office a week later, there were still a large number of people waiting. However, applications were clearly being processed more swiftly than before. There were new additional personnel wearing masks and uniform vests. They provided seniors with guidance, answered phone enquiries, and even helped officials with the processing of applications. ► Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team Members They are members of the Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team. ► Lee Ui-hwan, Director, Gyeonggi Province Tax Justice Division “Recovery from economic stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is the highest priority. Currently, 1,300 out of 1,800 (Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team) members, or 72 percent, are helping with disaster-related basic income application processing at 544 local administration and welfare offices.” ► Active Participation in Minimizing COVID-19 Impact Consisting of volunteer residents, the designated function of the Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team is the investigation of regional tax delinquents. However, when asked by the province, the majority of its members agreed to help public officials who, regardless of rank, were devoting themselves to COVID-19-related activities even during weekends and nights. ► Kim Seon-min, Gyeonggi Resident, Gyeonggi Delinquent Management Team Member “COVID-19 hit us without warning. However, we are gratified and proud that we are able to do something to help in difficult circumstances.” ► Assisting Pharmacies with Mask Sales These volunteers also helped pharmacies with the public sale of masks when the designated mask-purchasing day system began. ► Jeong Sun-hyeong, Civil Application Team Chief Official, Gumgok-dong Administration and Welfare Office “There are four Delinquency Management Team members currently helping us with disaster-related basic income applications. They received training on the tasks before coming, and are so helpful.” The collective efforts of such volunteers to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is significantly bolstering those fighting against this crisis. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.