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1. [Ushering in a “one book for one person” age] Gyeonggi has brought about the era of “one book per person” for the public library. It is considered to have set the stage for satisfying the various needs of Gyeonggi residents for information. As of the end of 2006, the public libraries in Gyeonggi have been found to have about 11.45 million books in stock. In other words 1.04 books per Gyeonggi resident. Much credit goes to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government which opened 11 libraries including the library in Uiwang and spent KRW 2 billion to provide more books to the other libraries in the 1st half alone. Although there are differences region by region, residents maintain a great interest in making use of the library. So each library is planning to live up its expectations by enhancing convenience through the provision of more books. Also Gyeonggi plans to add more than 1 million books in public libraries in the 2nd half this year, and to open an additional 43 public libraries by 2010. 2. [Imposter Gyeonggi rice] Despite the high price, 5 to 6 times higher than the global market price, exports of Gyeonggi rice are increasing based on its popularity. However, there is worrisome news that imposter Gyeonggi rice appeared in the US markets. Amidst the soaring popularity of Gyeonggi rice exported to the US markets, Kalos rice, produced in the US was found to be circulated under the Gyeonggi rice brand. Since only Super Oning Rice produced in Pyeongtaek is exported by recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Icheon rice being sold in the US is a sheer fake. But the trademark “Icheon rice” was officially registered, and according to US law, there is no way to stop the use of the trademark. As Gyeonggi will export Icheon rice this autumn at the earliest, it plans to take measures to stamp the “Imgeumnimpyo” brand and an authentication mark on the cover so that it can be clearly distinguished from the fake brand. 3. [Let’s enjoy the recreation forest!] Now we are into a full-fledged summer vacation season. If you have not decided where to go yet, the recreation forests in Gyeonggi recommended by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization could be your choice. The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization recommends the top 5 recreation forests within Gyeonggi, including Yu-myeongsan in Gapyeong, Jung-mi-san in Yangpyeong, and Gukmang-bong in Pocheon. In the recommended recreation forests where nature has been well preserved, tourists can relax comfortably using designated auto camping places, tent villages, and promenades. Also various ecological learning spaces have been created to fully enable children to experience the mysteries of nature. No doubt it will be a wise choice to relax in the recreation forests nearby in Gyeonggi and saving money at the same time. 4. [Relief for the burdens of labor and management strife] Gyeonggi has announced that it will mediate the labor and management strife in foreign-invested enterprises(FIEs) within the province. Among the factors that drive away foreign investment in Korea, FIEs have cited frequent labor and management conflicts in addition to high land prices and labor costs. In response to that, Gyeonggi will introduce a Private Mediation Support System that will resolve labor and management conflicts in FIEs from August as part of efforts to create a better investment environment. The Mediation Organization will consist of 7 civilian experts, including lawyers and professors who have mediated in the Labor Relations Commission. It will get involved in the most sensitive labor issues such as wages, working hours, gender discrimination, and contract workers. On top of that, the mediation will be extended to labor management conflicts of suppliers or buyers of foreign-invested enterprises. Gyeonggi will subsidize 60% of the mediation costs, while labor and management will share a 20% burden each. With that, FIEs are expected to reduce the burden on labor and management conflicts drastically. 5. [Making friends] With the summer vacation season in full swing, the Gyeonggi Youth Center prepared a Beautiful Companion Camp that invited both handicapped and healthy children. The Gyeonggi Youth Center opened the Beautiful Companion Camp for handicapped and ordinary teenagers on a schedule of 3 nights and 4 days. In the Camp, one ordinary teenager and one handicapped teen will become roommates and participate in various programs, learning the meaning of voluntary service and having time to understand each other. They join hands in pulling the rope together in a harmony-building game. It’s time like these where they can share a laugh. For them, handicaps are no longer a barrier to their friendship. We hope that the programs will help the children start to understand that the handicapped are just friends who need their little help, putting an end to prejudice against the handicapped. 6 [Selection of promising SMEs in 2007] Gyeonggi announced the final list of 251 promising small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) in 2007. Among the SMEs selected for this year, 201 companies came from the southern region, including Duplex in Suwon and Ace Medical in Goyang, and 50 came from the northern region. The Promising SME Certificate System is a special measure that Gyeonggi has put in place since 1995. So far more than 2,000 companies have been designated as promising SMEs. When selected as promising SME, the SME will be awarded with a certificate and a tablet, and is entitled to preferential support from the SME Fund and an opportunity to participate in the overseas market development corps. Further, Gyeonggi has designated all promising SMEs as its industrial family company from 2005, assisting them in developing and producing products, and finding outlets. 7. [Changes in parks] Recently parks not only provide relaxing space, but also are changing into well-being facilities for the health of residents with fitness centers. Let’s take a look at the Dojangol Park in Suji, Yongin. The Park has recently been remodeled into a well-being space for the residents. The Park has been designed to help residents improve their health and enjoy convenient facilities such as a children’s playground, a fitness center, and a senior citizen center. Last year Suji-gu in Yongin furbished 3 parks, including the Sampungdong Park, and 2 parks in the 1st half of this year, bringing new life to the residential environment. The parks where people can work out whenever they want and relax comfortably have turned into a place loved by the residents living nearby.