The Zhijia Star
The Zhijia Star is a regional newspaper based in Kaizhou, Jiaozhi.
____________________________________________________________________________________________3 October 4451
JiyuTown Wins Battle Against LSA Properties
Residents defend neighborhood against redevelopment.
____________________________________________________________________________________________KAIZHOU, Jiaozhi Province: Just over a year ago the Zhijia City Central Committee narrowly approved a highly controversial plan to permit limited redevelopment within the JiyuTown neighborhood. Fiercely opposed by residents seeking to uphold the unique identity of their home, Lim Son Ah Properties (LSA) mounted a strong lobbying campaign to win over the Central Committee. In the months following this approval, Lim Son Ah quickly pushed out numerous concepts for redevelopment and it became apparent that plans were not so limited. Last summer LSA settled on their final concept, which required replacing over half of JiyuTown's largest park with commercial high-rises and also the demolition of some nearby small businesses and independent art galleries.
Already faced by widespread discontent with JiyuTown, which had adopted a central anti-LSA theme in much its latest artistic productions, the announcement of the final plan evolved to public protest. Since late spring of this year, residents of JiyuTown have protested at the regional LSA headquarters in Kaizhou while also hosting demonstrations within Zhijia City every weekend. With public pressure mounting, half of the Central Committee resigned in August and an emergency meeting was called to revisit the Lim Son Ah contract. Following weeks of closed door meetings, the Central Committee gathered today for its last discussion on the matter, inviting representatives from LSA and neighborhood representatives. Turning against the original agreement with LSA, the Central Committee voted to rescind its approval for redevelopment in JiyuTown, dealing a death blow to Lim Son Ah's plans before they ever had a chance to start even the slightest bit of construction.
Residents have celebrated this victory over the powerful development company and declared it a decisive victory for protecting their community's unique identity and culture.
____________________________________________________________________________________________8 October 4451
Ryeo Foundation Revived
New life for a philanthropic vision to aid education, health, and culture.
____________________________________________________________________________________________JUGANG, Jiaozhi Province: Emerging from a long period of isolation, the heir to the Imperial House of Ryeo, Ryeo Jiyong, released a joint statement with Xia Jaeho of the Xia Clan to announcement the revival of the Ryeo Foundation. Dismantled in the chaos that forced the Ryeo and thousands of refugees out of Dankuk, the Ryeo Foundation had a historic role as the leading philanthropic organization of the Ryeo homeland. It found early publicity in its role promoting Kyo cultural identity under the Dranish Republic. Soon it also found itself at the center of national politics as it devoted enormous funding to continuing public education in the city of Gongmangdo-Comares following controversial mass privatization of education. Throughout its history, the Ryeo Foundation provided significant financial backing to a variety of cultural, educational, and health-oriented initiatives, all being derived directly the personal wealth of the House of Ryeo and other donors to the Foundation.
When the organization was forced to close due to actions of the extremist government it was a huge loss for many organizations and groups throughout the nation. Among the closures that followed as a result of the Foundation's demise was that of Haejo University in Gongmangdo.
Now, over a century since ceased operations, the Ryeo Foundation has found new life thanks to an agreement between the Xia Clan and the House of Ryeo. The latter's leading claimant, Ryeo Jiyong, known for his betrayal of the Sampa Society and its terrorist plots, has purposefully remained hidden away from the public. Some rumors suggested he relocated to Sekowo, the home of his now-wife, Sun Yumi, a descendant of the Ryeo's ancient allied family. However, we now know that Ryeo had remained in Indrala and after having reached out to his cousins within the remnants of the Lü Clan, the idea was hatched to revive the family's philanthropic mission.
Being based out of Jugang, home of the Xia Clan, the new Ryeo Foundation will carry on its original mission albeit with a newfound focus on Indrala's education and healthcare institutions. Early plans for the Foundation include the establishment of a general scholarship fund and the extension of endowment funds to Haejo Imperial College and Kyung-hee Imperial University. The organization is also exploring opportunities to support cancer research and other disease research initiatives.