Kim Moon-soo Governor, Policy Pact with Seoul and Incheon on 8th

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo will sign a joint pact with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo on the 8th at the Seoul Plaza Hotel to improve air quality in the capital region, water quality of Paldang Lake, and traffic problems.

According to the province on the 1st, Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, and Incheon have been discussing implementation tasks and plans since June when the leaders were elected to jointly address capital region issues including environment and transportation.

Regarding air quality by sector, the regions plan to expand the installation of vehicle emission reduction devices by 2010, while jointly requesting national subsidies accordingly.

In addition, Seoul and Incheon will actively cooperate with Gyeonggi Province's comprehensive measures to improve Paldang Lake water quality, including raising water usage fees and reinvesting them in Paldang Lake.

Furthermore, the regions will promote the introduction of a distance-based public transportation fare system that applies charges based on the distance traveled using buses or subways across city and provincial boundaries, regardless of the number of transfers or modes of transportation.

A provincial official stated, "Problems in the three cities and provinces of the capital region cannot be solved by efforts from only one side, and compartmentalized administration has only increased inconvenience for capital region residents," adding, "We will continue discussions to ensure this does not end as a mere ceremonial event."