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 Orders Temporary Suspension of All Shincheonji Church Gatherings (0225-1) In order to safeguard the public from COVID-19, Gyeonggi Province recently ordered the temporary closure of all Shincheonji (신천지) Church facilities, which have been major channels of infection. The province also prohibited all of the church’s religious gatherings. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (February 24) Gyeonggi Province Press Conference on Emergency COVID-19 Prevention Measures Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명) announced this measure during a press conference on February 24. ► Administrative Order for 14-Day Closure of Chincheonji Church Operations and Facilities According to this administrative order, all religious gatherings of the Shincheonji (신천지) Church have been banned and its 353 facilities in the province are to remain closed until March 8. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “Instead of tracing individual infection cases, we must now perform meticulous control of potentially risky areas using all resources available. To this end, and in accordance with Article 47 and 49 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, Gyeonggi Province has issued an administrative order for the 14-day closure of all (Shincheonji) church facilities as well as other facilities that can be used for meetings of its members including evangelical facilities and regional centers.” Governor Lee stated that, to protect public safety, this order was inevitable given that the number of confirmed cases is growing rapidly and that the majority of these cases are connected to members of this church. After the announcement, Gyeonggi Province immediately mobilized field teams to ute the order. [Sync] “We are here to deliver an administrative order for the closure of the facility and the banning of meetings within the facility.” ► 353 Locations Including Teahouses and Study Facilities to Be Closed This closure order covers 353 locations suspected of being Shingcheonji (신천지) Church facilities according to inspections and information sources. These locations also include teahouses and study facilities as well as untitled facilities. Facilities with no connection with the church will be excluded through application by the facility and subsequent confirmation by investigation.   2. Gyeonggi Launches Data Dividend Payment System (0221-1) Gyeonggi Province recently introduced a data dividend payment system that returns gains from the sale of Gyeonggi regional currency card transaction data to card members, the owners of the data. Gyeonggi Province has been selling related data to various organizations. Data is regarded as a key to the 4th Industrial Revolution. ► 3 Data-related Laws Enacted by Korean National Assembly The importance of data and its utilization has become a frequent subject of discussion in Korea especially after the recent passage of three related laws regarding privacy, information networks and credit information. ► Data Dividend System Reflects Data Owner Rights On February 20, Gyeonggi Province began paying proceeds from the sale of this card transaction data to card members to honor data owner rights. ► Gyeonggi Regional Currency Transaction Data Sales Profits Returned to Card Members Gyeonggi Province refers to these payments as data dividends, the first of their kind in the world. ► National Assembly Members’ Hall (February 20) Meeting with National Assembly Members on Gyeonggi Data Dividend Payment System On the same day as the dividend payment, Gyeonggi Province also held a meeting with National Assembly members to discuss data owner rights and their future. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “When the time comes for data owner rights to be honored for all types of data generated by individuals through compensation, we will be able to see figures that end with several more zeroes.” ► Meeting at National Assembly Members’ Hall During the meeting, participating specialists also discussed data dividend payment system promotion strategies. ► Gwon Heon-yeong, Professor, Korea University “I think this very policy proves that you really are an important leader and pillar of our economy.” ► Eom Seok-jin, Professor, Seoul National University “… a statutory foundation must be in place that enables the establishment of the processes or the governance of the data dividend payment system.” ► KRW 120 Paid to Each Gyeonggi Regional Currency Card Member (February 20-22) The dividends, which amount to KRW 120 per Gyeonggi Regional Currency card with records of actual use, were paid on or before February 22. This payment system is expected to achieve the dual purpose of protecting data owner rights and promoting the local economy.   3. Gyeonggi Develops Northern Border Areas Utilizing Vacant Houses (0226-1) Since 2018, Gyeonggi Province has been improving residential environments in northern border areas by utilizing vacant houses, beginning with a village in Yeoncheon (연천) County and followed by a village in Yangju (양주) City last year. ► Bongam-ri, Yangju City In this village in Yangju (양주) City, the former town hall will be transformed into an PC café and public lodgings while an old warehouse will be transformed into a café. ► Choi In-bok, Bongam-ri Resident Chief “Empty houses are being remodeled through this project. Residents certainly welcome such environmental improvements.” ► Oga-ri of Pocheon City Selected for 2020 Border Area Development Project The objective of the northern border area residential environment improvement program is to help villages in these areas, those that face development restrictions due to military or urban protection, regain livelihoods. This year, Oga-ri (오가리) Village in Pocheon (포천) City was selected for the project; this entails a total of KRW 3 billion in development cost support, half of which will be borne by the province. ► GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hui “This is Ogari Village in Changsu-myeon, Pocheon City. This area will be developed as a village of ecology, peace and tourism. The area behind me will become an experiential farm for the community. Tourist facilities for visitors to the Hantan River will also be established on the site of a closed factory.” Close to the Hantan (한탄) River, Oga-ri village is an ideal tourist destination. The project will include the construction of accommodations and tourist information facilities. Pocheon (포천) City also plans to establish a processing plant for agricultural products utilizing a closed brickyard while enabling resident participation in project implementation processes. ► Ban Myeong-gyo, Oga-3-ri Resident Chief “Even if a large number of tourists visit us, we can offer more than sightseeing. They can experience apple picking in my apple orchard. I think we can also offer them brickmaking experiences…” Through consultations with related specialists, Gyeonggi Province plans to create highly specialized facilities that will be managed by the residents themselves.   4. Gyeonggi Governor Visits Guri Market Hit by COVID-19 (0221-3) With local commerce in Korea suffering heavily due the COVID-19 outbreak, especially in traditional markets and backstreet commercial areas, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명) visited a traditional market in Guri (구리) City, home of the 17th confirmed patient, and met with merchants. ► Guri Traditional Market (February 20) The coronavirus has caused a sharp drop in the number of shoppers at traditional markets. This market is also suffering greatly with shops outnumbering shoppers. ► Jeong Ji-yeong, Vice Chairperson, Guri Traditional Market Merchant Association “I am having the greatest difficulties of my 30 years as a merchant. Sales have dropped 60 to 70 percent.” At this market, Governor Lee did some shopping himself to help the merchants. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “An economy depends on the psychology and flow of people, which are quite negative now. That has a great negative impact on backstreet and traditional market commerce as well as on the local economy as a whole. Small businesses are sensitive to such negative economic situations. We are preparing diverse financial support programs.” ► Governor Lee Offers Financial Consultations to Merchants During his visit, Governor Lee met with merchants and provided financial consultations on the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation’s mobile service bus. ► Governor Lee Comforts Merchants in Shopping Area Visited by 17th COVID-19 Patient Governor Lee also visited shops that had been temporarily closed after visits by the seventeenth COVID-19 patient. Merchants assured him that they will maintain area safety through thorough quarantine efforts. ► Jo Jong-deok, Chairperson, Guri Traditional Market Merchant Association “We have been performing site sterilization three times a week since February 3. We have purchased masks and secured sterilizing agents from the public health center…” Gyeonggi Province has prepared diverse measures to help the local economy including special financing amounting to KRW 200 billion and regional currency discount rate increases as well as the provision of masks and hand sterilizers to traditional markets and small businesses.   5. Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Shortens General Meeting Due to COVID-19 (0227-2) On February 26, the 341st Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly extraordinary session was concluded in an expedited manner after focusing on the deliberation of items proposed at the second general meeting. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly (February 26) 2nd General Meeting of 341st Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Extraordinary Session In order to accelerate procedures, items were deliberated through electronic conferencing systems. The 5-minute speeches by assembly members were also shortened significantly. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairperson Song Han-jun “Representing residents, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly will do its utmost to bring the coronavirus outbreak to an end through proactive responses.” ► Revised Supplementary Budget for Responses to COVID-19 Proposed A 5-minute speech regarding the coronavirus outbreak was delivered by a member who represents the Democratic Party as a negotiating body. ► Nam Jong-seop, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member (Democratic Party) “While fear of coronavirus contraction has become a daily public concern, the economy has fallen into deep slump. It is at this time that we must begin working to revive the economy. I therefore propose the swift preparation of revised supplementary budgets.” During the general meeting, a total of 47 items were reviewed. ► Ordinance for Provincial Support for 24-Hour Children’s Hospital Operation Among other items, the passage of an ordinance that pertains to provincial support provision to designated hospitals for the 24-hour operation of child medical services drew special attention. ► Rental Housing for Middle-class Also included was a motion for the construction of new rental housing units in Gwanggyo (광교) New Town for middle-class families. The item in question was a motion for publicly supported private investment in rental housing units in Gwanggyo Block A17. This motion was approved based on 112 votes in favor out of 117 votes. These superior rental housing units will be constructed on a former public prosecutor office site. The general meeting of the assembly was shortened so as to enable officials to concentrate on coronavirus response activities. The next extraordinary session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly is slated to open on April 21 for a 9-day run.   6. Gyeonggi Discloses Shincheonji Church Facility Map (0226-2) This map service provides detailed information about more than 350 Shincheonji (신천지) Church facilities in the province that were closed in accordance with an emergency administrative order from Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명). Its launch announced via Gyeonggi’s Data Dream Nurijip (누리집) website, this map provides real-time information that includes addresses, GPS locations, and facility types as well as quarantine status. The Gyeonggi Province Spokesperson stated that this service is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and asked members of the public to inform the province about other related facilities via the Gyeonggi Call Center.   7. Gyeonggi Province Establishes Bird Flu Research Facilities (02.27) In order to prevent bird flu outbreaks, which occur almost annually in Korea, Gyeonggi Province has established extensive research facilities. With negative pressure autopsy equipment, these facilities, the first of their kind among local Korean autonomies, will help prevent the onset of bird flu through early tests. ► Grade 3 Biological Safety Laboratory in Gyeonggi Province Animal Hygiene Laboratory This is the Grade 3 biological safety laboratory that opened in the Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center last December. ► Approved by Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention for Bird Flu Tests Established exclusively for bird flu tests, this laboratory recently received approval from the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Occupying 3 stories and a total floor area of 956 square meters, this facility houses a genetic analysis laboratory, sterile rooms and a machine room. ► Korea’s First Negative Pressure Autopsy Capabilities For the first time among local Korean autonomies, this laboratory is equipped with negative pressure autopsy equipment that can completely contain the bird flu virus. This laboratory also has advanced equipment including genetic analysis devices that enhance bird flu testing capabilities. ► Choi Yeong-hwa, Bird Disease Response Team Leader, Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center “We will contribute to preventing the proliferation of disease through swift testing as well as to disease containment via monitoring and testing.” The Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center performs weekly monitoring of poultry farms and migratory bird habitats to prevent the spread of bird flu. Based on test results from this laboratory, Gyeonggi Province will be able to perform sterilization and monitoring activities more effectively. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.