Guestbook

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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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Even amid the fierce waves and storms threatening our horse racing, we were able to stay on course because of the noble 25-year history of the individual horse racing system that the entire racing family has pioneered together, and the conviction and passion of all of us as we strive toward the grand goal of advancing horse racing.In particular, the unwavering support and encouragement from the horse racing fans who have protected Korean horse racing so that it has not lost its essence and identity have given us,

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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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In particular, this year brought even greater harm to equestrian center operators nationwide under difficult circumstances, due to certain incidents such as the Choi Soon-sil state corruption scandal and the preferential treatment of Jeong Yoo-ra in equestrian affairs, which reinforced the negative image of equestrian riding among the public. In addition, it was a disappointing and regrettable year for professional riding horse breeders and horse-breeding farms as well.

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We will develop varieties and cultivation techniques that can adapt to climate change, such as persistent droughts and heatwaves, while introducing tropical and subtropical crops to foster them as new sources of income, and we will also work to develop rapid control technologies for pests, diseases, and other pests and diseases. We will protect the public’s healthy table by establishing a safe food production and supply system, including eco-friendly ecological farming and the safe management of agricultural materials.

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This year as well, our agriculture and rural areas are facing major changes and challenges, including expanded market liberalization such as FTAs,climate change, and an aging population.A massive wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,which will bring about revolutionary changes across national systems,society,and all aspects of life,is also surging forward.However,these changes and challenges can become new opportunities, depending on how we perceive and make use of them.

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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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Riding this wave, Gyeonggi Province spares no effort in supporting equestrianism so that it can be reborn as a healing leisure sport.So far,Gyeonggi Province has designated Yongin, Hwaseong, and Icheon as horse industry special zones and has been building horse industry infrastructure through support for equestrian facilities and other means.Last year, the equestrian festival for equestrians,Youth Equestrian Festival with Families,was held at the site of the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government building in Gwanggyo, Suwon,

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Wishing all 900,000 equestrians across the country and all those involved in the horse industry a very happy New Year. Like running swiftly, I wish you a strong and unstoppable year ahead.The values people aspire to in life are gradually changing. Where work used to come first, now more emphasis is being placed on the importance of work-life balance. The rise of the travel and tourism industry, along with the growing attention on various sports, reflects this.

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Dangdae Bulpae, and Jigeum Isungan, as well as the strongest active racehorses, Choi Kang Sil-eo, Cleanup Joy, and Mighty Gem. In particular, the tradition of owners donating in their beloved horses’ names has become an especially beautiful and valuable culture of giving, thanks to the history we have built together with horse racing fans over the past ten years. Even this winter, when the harsh wave of donations is sweeping through, many acupuncturists are participating in sharing, and we,

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Even amid the darkness and chaos beyond our grasp, all of us in the racing community over the past year did not give in to despair or crisis, and we never stopped on our great journey of challenge after challenge.Entering Part II, Korean horse racing, as a new member of the global racing community, experienced a period of growth marked by small on-site changes aimed at strengthening competitiveness, such as last year’s expedition to the Dubai World Cup, the introduction of advanced overseas personnel, changes in racehorse training patterns,

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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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Therefore, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province stated that it is negotiating with the government after submitting a revised opinion to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, requesting an amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Grassland Act so that rural-style equestrian facilities can be used without obtaining a separate grassland-use permit.Jeju Special Self-Governing Province’s amendment was introduced to ease this, because most equestrian facilities in Jeju are set up on grassland, but obtaining permits for converting grassland is complicated and not easy.Jeju Special Self-Governing Province expects that if these revised opinions are accepted, it will be possible to obtain a permit for equestrian facilities without a prior pasture conversion permit, thereby contributing not only to income growth for horse-breeding farms within Jeju but also for horse-breeding farms nationwide.

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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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Over the past year, as we struggled for the development of horse racing amid a desperate crisis, our horse racing industry had to endure great wounds and suffering, while being socially condemned for distorted perceptions and prejudice toward horse racing amid the national turmoil caused by the state affairs scandal. It was even a painful year in which horse racing was branded as a target for eradicating deep-rooted social evils, and it was also a year stained by a series of suicides among horse racing officials

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Pohang earthquake last year, it is clear that Korea’s horse industry also lacks a solid production base and could collapse in an instant. Just as we design earthquake-resistant structures, we should once again review Korea’s horse industry policies and, supported by policies and investments that enable mutual growth and development, hope to see the completion of Part II and the dawn of a natural era of Part I through the production of domestic horses that surpass foreign ones.

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Although the goals of moving toward an integrated Korean horse racing system and entering Part II have been achieved, there remains insufficient support for the improvement of racehorses and the stable establishment of the production infrastructure that would have been derived in the process of achieving those goals, raising concerns that the racehorse production industry, which forms the foundation of horse racing, may become a precarious structure built on shaky foundations.

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Embracing the vigorous spirit of the rising sun,I wish all of you success and abundant happiness.Last year, on top of the nationwide unrest caused by the national turmoil of state corruption and the president’s impeachment, as well as the country’s anxiety over North Korea’s nuclear provocations,there were also earthquakes and even a fire disaster at the end of the year—truly a great tragedyI am remembered as a difficult and hard year.In the horse racing industry as well,after experiencing the successive deaths of those involved,

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With about 3 billion won in incentives from the Korea Racing Authority for replacing stallions with germ-free horses, racehorse producers spent 7.5 billion won in total to introduce a total of 179 excellent germ-free stallions from overseas in 2016 and 2017. Even to prevent the outflow of dollars required for breeding-purpose imported stallions, institutional measures are needed to encourage a natural turnover from racehorses to stallions,

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Our members of the Seoul Owners’ Association, who have led the true change and innovation in Korean horse racing, have devoted themselves to discovering better racehorses and upholding the owners’ responsibilities, roles, and core values, even as horse racing revenue and prize money stagnated.In addition, in September he took the lead in practicing noblesse oblige as a devoted owner by opening Seoul Hyojeong School, Korea’s first school for visually impaired young children,

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Since the implementation of the 2015 Racing Innovation Plan, most farms have been experiencing a sales cliff due to the liberalization of imports of foreign horses and the concentration of prize money in first-place finishes, which has led to the purchase of outstanding horses by owners. In this situation, it is urgently necessary to introduce a closure subsidy support system so that if racehorse-producing farms, which are already in a critical situation, go out of business,

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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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Meanwhile, Seorabeol University is actively carrying out volunteer activities related to therapeutic horseback riding to enhance and promote the image of the domestic horse industry. Every year, the Department of Massage at Seorabeol University participates in nearby rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities and disability-related events, showcasing therapeutic horseback riding activities aimed at social participation.

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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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In addition, as an executive of the Korean Society of Therapeutic Equestrianism, he attended the 2015 Therapeutic Equestrianism World Congress as Korea’s representative to promote the bid to host the 2021 Therapeutic Equestrianism World Congress, and as a director of the Gyeongju Regional Development Council, he has contributed to the reflection of policies for the development of Gyeongju’s horse industry.When asked about her acceptance speech,