Guestbook

TEST008

On the 16th, the eve ceremony and symposium for the Jeju Open endurance equestrian competition were held at Hanwha Resort Jeju in Jeju City, where Governor Woo Geun-min met with former King Mijan. Governor Woo Geun-min recalled his visit to Malaysia with former King Mijan, saying, “Thanks to investment agreements with Airline A and Group B, Jeju became well known in Malaysia, and the number of tourists approaches 70,000.” He also expressed hope that horseback riding would contribute to revitalizing tourism in Jeju, expressing his anticipation for this year’s Jeju Open endurance riding competition.

TEST008

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, “As far as I know, the Gambling Control Commission is considering introducing an electronic card system for lotteries,” adding, “There have been criticisms that installing and managing electronic card identification devices at lottery sales outlets nationwide is not economically viable, so we commissioned a research project to analyze the effects of introducing electronic cards.”As the government moves to introduce electronic cards into lotteries, the legal gambling industry is pushing back, saying that if the Gambling Supervisory Commission continues to impose strict regulations on the legal gambling industry, thereby fostering illegal gambling and causing social problems, then if the government pushes for regulations on the legal gambling industry, it will backfire by driving legal gambling industry users into illegal gambling.

TEST008

Not only has the Supervisory Committee been strengthening regulations on the legal gambling industry, but the legal gambling industry is also growing tense as the government shows signs of trying to regulate it.It is reported that the government is considering measures to ban the use of cash when purchasing lottery tickets or using gambling facilities and to make the use of electronic cards mandatory. This means that lottery tickets, pension lottery tickets, and the like should only be purchased up to a certain amount using an electronic card containing one’s personal information.According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Lottery Commission Secretariat on the 26th, the ministry recently commissioned a research project on the introduction of an electronic card system.

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

Meanwhile, during the administrative inquiry session of the 184th Chungju City Council’s 2nd regular session held that morning, Councilor Choi Yong-su (Democratic Party) questioned Mayor Lee Jong-bae, demanding that he clarify the background and progress of the Chungju Mal Culture Complex Leisure Center project and express Chungju City’s position, while emphasizing the need for a fair public opinion poll on its pros and cons.Rep. Choi also added concerns to the claim that “the video horse racing track within the Chungju Horse Culture Complex Leisure Center is merely a gambling business,” saying, “It could easily become a burden for the Chungju area.” He called for “thorough explanations of the development project’s plans and implementation, fair public opinion surveys, and repeated assessments after the results are reflected,” as well as sufficient information on the project’s plans and execution, and the expected benefits.

TEST008

Meanwhile, during the administrative inquiry session of the 184th Chungju City Council’s 2nd regular session held that morning, Councilor Choi Yong-su (Democratic Party) questioned Mayor Lee Jong-bae, demanding that he clarify the background and progress of the Chungju Mal Culture Complex Leisure Center project and express Chungju City’s position, while emphasizing the need for a fair public opinion poll on its pros and cons.Rep. Choi also added concerns to the claim that “the video horse racing track within the Chungju Horse Culture Complex Leisure Center is merely a gambling business,” saying, “It could easily become a burden for the Chungju area.” He called for “thorough explanations of the development project’s plans and implementation, fair public opinion surveys, and repeated assessments after the results are reflected,” as well as sufficient information on the project’s plans and execution, and the expected benefits.

TEST008

He went on to list, in order, the scope of the horse industry—including the racehorse industry, equestrian industry, horse racing industry, and horse-related industries—their growth potential, employment inducement effects, and contribution to the national economy, and said, “Since the horse industry is highly anticipated and seen as a new growth engine for our rural areas, our society needs to be a bit more lenient toward the horse racing products and consumption, which are the final products of the horse industry.”He added, “Now is the time when, above all, the industrial value of horse racing, its positive and negative functions, and its drawbacks are properly confronted, evaluated, and discussed so that the very purpose of the Horse Industry Promotion Act, which was highly meaningful, will not be undermined.”

TEST008

Eo Kyung-seon, head of the Chungju Citizens’ Coalition opposing the establishment of a virtual horse racing track, emphasized, “The foundation and core of the Chungju Horse Culture Complex Leisure Center is the installation and operation of a virtual horse racing track within Chungju city,” adding, “It will affect not only the daily lives of residents in the Chungju area but also the economy. Since it is expected to have ripple effects throughout society, we cannot help but oppose the bid,” they said, reiterating the opposition stance of the Chungju Citizens’ Coalition Against the Bid.Shin Geon-jun, Secretary General of the Chungju Citizens’ Coalition Against the Hwaseong Horse Racing Track, and Lee Seon-young, Secretary General of the Chungbuk Participation Solidarity, also expressed negative views on the project plan for attracting, establishing, and developing the horse culture complex leisure center through their opening remarks, and voiced their opposition as a group.

TEST008

Uh Kyung-seon, head of the Chungju Citizens’ Coalition Against the Video Horse Racing Track, Shin Geon-jung, secretary general, Lee Seon-young, secretary general of the Chungbuk Participation Solidarity, and Lee Jun-young, editor-in-chief of Horse Industry Journal, who all spoke and engaged in a discussion.In a discussion session chaired by Lee Eon-gu, head of the Chungju Garden Forum, which lasted about two and a half hours, Chungju City Council member Kim Heon-sik spoke about the recent reality of the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, which has been in a state of severe stagnation. He emphasized the necessity of hosting the center, saying, “The development and establishment of the Chungju Mal Culture Complex Leisure Center is expected to greatly contribute to revitalizing the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, which is currently in a desperate state, and the residents of the Suanbo area are earnestly hoping for it.”

TEST008

Uh Kyung-seon, head of the Chungju Citizens’ Coalition Against the Video Horse Racing Track, Shin Geon-jung, secretary general, Lee Seon-young, secretary general of the Chungbuk Participation Solidarity, and Lee Jun-young, editor-in-chief of Horse Industry Journal, who all spoke and engaged in a discussion.In a discussion session chaired by Lee Eon-gu, head of the Chungju Garden Forum, which lasted about two and a half hours, Chungju City Council member Kim Heon-sik spoke about the recent reality of the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, which has been in a state of severe stagnation. He emphasized the necessity of hosting the center, saying, “The development and establishment of the Chungju Mal Culture Complex Leisure Center is expected to greatly contribute to revitalizing the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, which is currently in a desperate state, and the residents of the Suanbo area are earnestly hoping for it.”

TEST008

The government also asked me to send a thank-you message to Chairman Hiyayat, so I replied." Governor Woo Geun-min also said, “If the equestrian competition becomes known through broadcasting and the media, it will bring us closer to the public and help boost tourism.”The Horse Racing Industry Advancement Forum was launched in April 2010, led by Kang Yong-sik, then president of the Seoul Owners Association, through a preparatory meeting composed of representatives from racing organizations, the media, and academia. It held its inaugural ceremony in May of that year and began full-scale activities, striving over the next four years to seek progressive alternatives for raising public awareness and advancing the modernization of horse racing through diverse discussions covering the horse racing industry as a whole.

TEST008

On the 16th, the eve ceremony and symposium for the Jeju Open endurance equestrian competition were held at Hanwha Resort Jeju in Jeju City, where Governor Woo Geun-min met with former King Mijan. Governor Woo Geun-min recalled his visit to Malaysia with former King Mijan, saying, “Thanks to investment agreements with Airline A and Group B, Jeju became well known in Malaysia, and the number of tourists approaches 70,000.” He also expressed hope that horseback riding would contribute to revitalizing tourism in Jeju, expressing his anticipation for this year’s Jeju Open endurance riding competition.

TEST008

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, “As far as I know, the Gambling Control Commission is considering introducing an electronic card system for lotteries,” adding, “There have been criticisms that installing and managing electronic card identification devices at lottery sales outlets nationwide is not economically viable, so we commissioned a research project to analyze the effects of introducing electronic cards.”As the government moves to introduce electronic cards into lotteries, the legal gambling industry is pushing back, saying that if the Gambling Supervisory Commission continues to impose strict regulations on the legal gambling industry, thereby fostering illegal gambling and causing social problems, then if the government pushes for regulations on the legal gambling industry, it will backfire by driving legal gambling industry users into illegal gambling.

TEST008

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, “As far as I know, the Gambling Control Commission is considering introducing an electronic card system for lotteries,” adding, “There have been criticisms that installing and managing electronic card identification devices at lottery sales outlets nationwide is not economically viable, so we commissioned a research project to analyze the effects of introducing electronic cards.”As the government moves to introduce electronic cards into lotteries, the legal gambling industry is pushing back, saying that if the Gambling Supervisory Commission continues to impose strict regulations on the legal gambling industry, thereby fostering illegal gambling and causing social problems, then if the government pushes for regulations on the legal gambling industry, it will backfire by driving legal gambling industry users into illegal gambling.

TEST008

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, “As far as I know, the Gambling Control Commission is considering introducing an electronic card system for lotteries,” adding, “There have been criticisms that installing and managing electronic card identification devices at lottery sales outlets nationwide is not economically viable, so we commissioned a research project to analyze the effects of introducing electronic cards.”As the government moves to introduce electronic cards into lotteries, the legal gambling industry is pushing back, saying that if the Gambling Supervisory Commission continues to impose strict regulations on the legal gambling industry, thereby fostering illegal gambling and causing social problems, then if the government pushes for regulations on the legal gambling industry, it will backfire by driving legal gambling industry users into illegal gambling.

TEST008

Not only has the Supervisory Committee been strengthening regulations on the legal gambling industry, but the legal gambling industry is also growing tense as the government shows signs of trying to regulate it.It is reported that the government is considering measures to ban the use of cash when purchasing lottery tickets or using gambling facilities and to make the use of electronic cards mandatory. This means that lottery tickets, pension lottery tickets, and the like should only be purchased up to a certain amount using an electronic card containing one’s personal information.According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Lottery Commission Secretariat on the 26th, the ministry recently commissioned a research project on the introduction of an electronic card system.

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

In response, Mayor Lee said, “Since the private investment company’s business plan was received on November 25, we have been gathering public opinion regarding the Korea Racing Authority’s announcement of a park-type off-track betting facility,” adding, “After the deadline for public submissions on November 29, we have already sent an official letter requesting consultation on the situation and the KRA’s stance.”In his response, the mayor also explained, “If KRA’s park-type off-track betting facility is established and operated within the Suanbo Tourism Special Zone, tax revenue is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion won annually through collected grants and financial subsidies.” He added, “We will do our best during consultations with Chungbuk Province and Chungju City to ensure that a significant portion of the leisure tax attributable to Chungbuk Province is reinvested for a certain period in the Suanbo area, where the park-type off-track betting facility will be located.”

TEST008

Meanwhile, during the administrative inquiry session of the 184th Chungju City Council’s 2nd regular session held that morning, Councilor Choi Yong-su (Democratic Party) questioned Mayor Lee Jong-bae, demanding that he clarify the background and progress of the Chungju Mal Culture Complex Leisure Center project and express Chungju City’s position, while emphasizing the need for a fair public opinion poll on its pros and cons.Rep. Choi also added concerns to the claim that “the video horse racing track within the Chungju Horse Culture Complex Leisure Center is merely a gambling business,” saying, “It could easily become a burden for the Chungju area.” He called for “thorough explanations of the development project’s plans and implementation, fair public opinion surveys, and repeated assessments after the results are reflected,” as well as sufficient information on the project’s plans and execution, and the expected benefits.

TEST008

Lee Jun-young, editor of the Horse Industry Journal, expressed, “Before debating the pros and cons of the Chungju Horse Culture Complex Leisure Center development project, which is proposed to include a park-style off-track betting facility, an equestrian experience center, a rehabilitation riding center, and multipurpose assembly facilities, there is a regret that, before that, a deeper understanding of the process through which horse racing was created and implemented, as well as the functions and roles of the KRA—which was recently designated as the dedicated institution for horse industry promotion and as a training institution for horse industry professionals, thereby bearing even greater responsibility—has not been fully understood,” he said, presenting the current status of the horse industry along with its future outlook.

TEST008

Although there was discussion about suspending it due to the expiration of CEO Kang Yong-sik’s term as president of the Seoul Owners’ Association, it was agreed to continue it through this year, leading up to the final 14th Horse Racing Industry Advancement Forum.Although the Horse Racing Industry Advancement Forum is regarded as having fallen short of its ultimate goal of addressing the communication breakdown among horse racing stakeholders—a major problem in the horse racing industry up to now—and of reaching its final objective of jointly responding to the current issues facing the horse racing industry, it is still seen as having laid a considerable foundation for the development of Korean horse racing by opening a channel for communication among related organizations and providing a platform to discuss the current issues facing the horse racing industry.

TEST008

Although there was discussion about suspending it due to the expiration of CEO Kang Yong-sik’s term as president of the Seoul Owners’ Association, it was agreed to continue it through this year, leading up to the final 14th Horse Racing Industry Advancement Forum.Although the Horse Racing Industry Advancement Forum is regarded as having fallen short of its ultimate goal of addressing the communication breakdown among horse racing stakeholders—a major problem in the horse racing industry up to now—and of reaching its final objective of jointly responding to the current issues facing the horse racing industry, it is still seen as having laid a considerable foundation for the development of Korean horse racing by opening a channel for communication among related organizations and providing a platform to discuss the current issues facing the horse racing industry.