Guestbook

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Now, under the banner of the Cheongju Youth Equestrian Team,I plan to support their participation in various competitions so they can achieve good results and also focus on character education.Han-Moo Kwak,CEO of Taesan Equestrian Town, believed that the Korea-US FTA offered more vision for the equestrian business than the fattening industry,so he entered the equestrian business in 2007.He says the key to running the riding stable steadily for 10 years now has been a mindset that values principles and fundamentals.

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Regarding the Daejeon branch, the Daejeon Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Coalition held a press conference on the 8th in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s Daejeon branch in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, calling for the withdrawal of the expansion plan for the Wolpyeong-dong off-track betting center and urging the withdrawal of the Daejeon branch expansion plan and relocation to the outskirts.In their statement, they argued that since the Daejeon branch was established, citizens have been exposed to the risk of gambling addiction and are suffering serious infringements on their living environment, such as traffic congestion caused by illegal parking on weekends and the deterioration of educational and residential environments due to the concentration of entertainment facilities. They demanded the relocation to the outskirts or closure, but accused the Korea Racing Authority of instead trying to expand it.

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Do not throw tantrums or be stubborn. I won’t do it if I’m not right, but I will if I am, so I’m grateful that they at least listened to what I had to say. I think it is necessary to expand equestrian support nationwide, not just in certain areas, to spark a boom in equestrianism. There may be a large number of equestrian enthusiasts in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, but what guarantee is there that only people from there are good at riding horses? Isn't the purpose of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' equestrian support program to expand the base of the riding population

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Until now, it was a project that people from other regions could hardly approach. I acknowledge that the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas receive more support than other regions because they have a large equestrian population. But isn't the provinces part of South Korea. I think at least one unit should be allocated. I personally visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and told them that the equestrian support program is for the entire nation, not limited to specific regions, and requested support for local areas, including Chungbuk.

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Although the building was completed at a huge expense, the opening date has been postponed as public opinion among residents has worsened due to the complex interests of some civic groups and political circles, and the situation is being closely monitored.Through community service in the Yongsan area and opening cultural centers, the Korea Racing Authority is working to soothe residents’ public sentiment and improve the image of horse racing and off-track betting facilities.There are no legal defects before the Yongsan branch relocation. As already stated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, since the branch is already operating in the same area, there is no need to seek the consent of local residents for the relocation. Also, the distance from the school claimed by the opposing side is beyond the 200 meters set by law, so there is no major problem.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects that if Jeju Special Self-Governing Province faithfully implements the detailed action plans under the Horse Industry Promotion and Development Plan, it will play a leading role in fostering Korea’s horse industry and will also make a significant contribution to stabilizing horse supply and demand.Minister Lee Dong-pil said, “At a time when FTAs are expanding, the horse industry can create new sources of income for agriculture and rural areas, promote exchanges between urban and rural communities, and develop into advanced-country-style industries such as tourism, leisure (equestrian) industry, and healing industry.” He added, “The designation of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Horse Industry Special Zone carries great significance in that it will establish the foundational infrastructure for the future development of the horse industry.”

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Efforts to communicate are also necessary. Limited groups are debating among themselves without even representing the opinions of all members. When making decisions or handling matters, representatives who have local representation should be gathered to hear their voices. Even if that opinion is not adopted, isn't it only right to at least try to hear it.The equestrian support program is open to the entire population. I understand that the equestrian support program has been in place for about four to five years.

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If I speak of it with selfishness, those words lose their weight. As long as the other person isn't a fool, you can tell whether there's personal bias. I speak my mind whether I'm in a central ministry or a local government. It's not because of this, but because of that, I can say it proudly. Only someone who is honest can say something like this. A person without personal bias should lead the organization. Only by doing so can we move beyond the development of the horse industry and become a developed nation.

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Although the betting ticket sales union went on strike on race day demanding changes to wages and employment arrangements, there was no major disruption in the ticket sales operations.When collective bargaining with the Korea Racing Authority broke down, the Labor Union of Racecourse Ticket Vendors of the KRA Korea Racing Association went on strike, and on the 22nd, about 300 ticket vendors refused to come to work.At some off-track locations, some ticket sellers who had more than 50% attendance were refusing to come to work, causing confusion at Seoul Racecourse Park and various off-track locations. To avoid this, free admission was implemented, all Korea Racing Authority staff waited at the ticket counters, and race broadcasts encouraged the use of self-service ticket machines.

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With Gyeryong Construction relocating to a new headquarters in February, the Korea Racing Authority plans to purchase the shared Gyeryong Construction building and improve customer service by remodeling it into an optimized facility. When residents began opposing the expansion of the Daejeon branch, the Korea Racing Authority stated that it would maintain the current policy of one person, one seat, assigned seating system and the current number of entrants.The importance of off-track betting facilities in the horse racing industry is by no means small.To implement horse racing, enormous financial resources are required to equip basic facilities such as racecourses, stands, and auxiliary facilities, and due to difficulties in securing land to build racetracks, it is a reality in countries that have implemented horse racing that they operate off-track betting facilities far outnumbering the number of racetracks.

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Of course, some instructors lack the basics. I've had several instructors like that myself. Once they were finally able to use it after a long lesson, they would often just come and go without a word, disappearing. As the administrator, I was at a loss for what to do. Still, he endured it steadfastly without resorting to tricks. A virtuous woman among the instructors married my son and became his daughter-in-law. Since the family ran the riding club together, the equestrian business has been able to establish itself more steadily.

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In particular, the two main roads are blocking access to the nearest school, Seongsim Girls’ Middle and High School, so it was found that only 0.27 students per day actually attend school in front of the new Yongsan branch, revealing how absurd the opposing side’s claims were.Nevertheless, the opposing side is shouting only opposition unconditionally.In their press statement, the Residents’ Committee demanded opposition to the expansion of the Yongsan branch office outside the building, desperate resistance if the branch office is forced to open inside, and strong action from the Yongsan District Mayor, the district council, and National Assembly member Jin Young.In particular, they have repeatedly insisted that opening the new Yongsan branch is absolutely impossible, and that if the opening is pursued, there would be no need for consultation.

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As a business operator, generating profit is only natural. However, even if it is a bit difficult, it is important to stick to the principles. If you keep cutting this and that just because it's difficult now, it will only lead to a vicious cycle. The more difficult it is, the more we must adhere to principles and strive to provide perfect facilities. The same goes for instructors’ salaries. If you try to give less and assign more just because the situation is tough, they won't be able to handle it and will all leave.

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Having worked in livestock farming for many years, I fattened my eldest son. Then, an FTA with the United States was concluded. I began to think that the fattening business was no longer viable. I asked my son, who was running a fattening business, if he was thinking about starting a riding club business. My son seemed to think that the equestrian business had more of a future than fattening cattle, so he said he would give it a try. Then I told him to get a riding instructor certificate and come back.

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As the year-end approached and with the closure of Seoul Racecourse Park approaching, the number of horse racing fans who visited the racecourse and off-track betting locations actually increased slightly compared to the previous week, yet the ticketing operations were carried out normally without major disturbances.The Korea Racing Authority and the Betting Ticket Sales Union held a total of 15 main and working-level negotiations starting August 16, during which they negotiated 110 union demands and 78 KRA demands, but failed to narrow their differences. Then, after negotiations continued through mediation by the Central Labor Relations Commission on December 15, the talks ultimately broke down without reaching an agreement, and the Betting Ticket Sales Union eventually filed a strike notification on the 20th.

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Since the enactment of the Horse Industry Promotion Act, other local governments that only belatedly entered the race to develop the horse industry were unable to meet the basic requirements, so they began demanding the designation of a special zone combining two or three basic local governments, or a regional special zone at the provincial level. At the suggestion of these local governments, the Regulatory Reform Committee of the Prime Minister’s Office recommended the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to ease the related requirements, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it would prepare a plan to relax the designation requirements for the horse industry special zone starting in 2014, following its designation as the first horse industry special zone in 2013.The designation requirements for a special horse industry zone at the end of 2013 demand a substantially large-scale basic horse industry foundation within a limited scope.

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During lunch breaks, we showed Family Amusement Hall and Animal Kingdom. After a meeting to create our own horse racing program, I took on broadcasting planning for the first time, and the first program I produced was a 15-minute documentary. It is my first work that I will never forget. Jockey Park Tae-jong, who had recently reached 2,000 wins, had become the first in Korean horse racing history to reach 100 wins in a single season, so I spent a month following him to create a special program.

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However, despite this reality, civic groups that have ridden on social prejudice against off-track betting facilities and regional selfishness are absorbed in opposition for the sake of opposition, and it is regrettable that the reality of labeling the horse racing industry—which contributes a significant portion to the national budget by paying tax revenue amounting to 1.4 trillion won annually—as gambling is nothing short of unfortunate.The horse industry and horse racing industry say that instead of opposing only for the sake of opposition, they should seek development into a healthy leisure activity and openly discuss with each other to set the best course for one another.

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By nature, I tend to want something new rather than sticking to what I've always done. In fact, there are often many attempts made with good intentions, but they never get finished. However, completing even one of the ten tasks means I have clearly grown a step further than if I had remained stagnant without taking on challenges, and that gives me energy. It's a problem because the people around me are having a hard time.When I joined the company, there were no specialized horse racing TV programs at all.

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When I visited the stable on race day mornings for urgent reporting,some of the older owners would scold me,saying,You’re unlucky if a woman comes.It wasn't that I felt entirely happy,but on the other hand, I thought,This is fun.I thought that, depending on my efforts, this kind of culture might be gradually dispelled.From that point on, I think I really worked hard on the ground doing the reporting.In that sense, the scarcity of women can be helpful.Conversely,the existence of the country seemed unusual to them, and because so much attention was focused on them,

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My decision to work in broadcasting was largely influenced by joining a broadcasting club by chance in middle school. I had a variety of experiences as a producer,announcer,and engineer,and I found it incredibly enjoyable and well suited to my aptitude,so I strongly felt that this was something I could do well. Just as I was about to enter the workforce,I saw a job posting from the Korea Racing Authority seeking a female announcer.At the time,it was true that I only had a vague understanding of horse racing and knew nothing about its reality.

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Although the betting ticket sales union went on strike on race day demanding changes to wages and employment arrangements, there was no major disruption in the ticket sales operations.When collective bargaining with the Korea Racing Authority broke down, the Labor Union of Racecourse Ticket Vendors of the KRA Korea Racing Association went on strike, and on the 22nd, about 300 ticket vendors refused to come to work.At some off-track locations, some ticket sellers who had more than 50% attendance were refusing to come to work, causing confusion at Seoul Racecourse Park and various off-track locations. To avoid this, free admission was implemented, all Korea Racing Authority staff waited at the ticket counters, and race broadcasts encouraged the use of self-service ticket machines.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects that if Jeju Special Self-Governing Province faithfully implements the detailed action plans under the Horse Industry Promotion and Development Plan, it will play a leading role in fostering Korea’s horse industry and will also make a significant contribution to stabilizing horse supply and demand.Minister Lee Dong-pil said, “At a time when FTAs are expanding, the horse industry can create new sources of income for agriculture and rural areas, promote exchanges between urban and rural communities, and develop into advanced-country-style industries such as tourism, leisure (equestrian) industry, and healing industry.” He added, “The designation of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Horse Industry Special Zone carries great significance in that it will establish the foundational infrastructure for the future development of the horse industry.”

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Not only are there racing industry professionals building impressive achievements from the outside,but women are also quietly walking their own paths and serving as strong pillars throughout our horse industry.They live as one individual’s vanguard, drawing on the characteristic of being women, not merely as women.Though still few in number, the achievements they have made cannot be ignored.As misogyny, women's rights expansion,and gender equality have become hot-button issues,

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Regarding the Daejeon branch, the Daejeon Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Coalition held a press conference on the 8th in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s Daejeon branch in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, calling for the withdrawal of the expansion plan for the Wolpyeong-dong off-track betting center and urging the withdrawal of the Daejeon branch expansion plan and relocation to the outskirts.In their statement, they argued that since the Daejeon branch was established, citizens have been exposed to the risk of gambling addiction and are suffering serious infringements on their living environment, such as traffic congestion caused by illegal parking on weekends and the deterioration of educational and residential environments due to the concentration of entertainment facilities. They demanded the relocation to the outskirts or closure, but accused the Korea Racing Authority of instead trying to expand it.