By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) will offer free mobile consultation services for expatriates and multi-cultural families from Sunday.
Consultants will visit Gwanghui-dong, central Seoul ― home to many Mongolian and Russian residents and businesses ― from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on a bus that will be used as an office.
``We will introduce the free mobile consultation service so that foreigners can save time and overcome geographical limits,'' a city official said.
The bus will be parked in front of Gwanghui-dong Community Service Center and 10 experts in labor, employment, law, tax and consumer affairs will assist foreign residents on the difficulties they encounter living in Seoul.
The city expects some 300 expatriates to benefit from the services. Consultants will give follow up assistance through telephone calls or emails.
The bus will also tour other areas in Seoul, home to multiple foreign residents including Yeonnam-dong and Daelim-dong, along with places recommended by foreign community associations and centers.
SMG will hold 32 sessions up to November and expects some 10,000 foreigners to take advantage of the services.
``About 250,000 foreigners are living in the capital and the number has been on the rise,'' a city official said. ``Seoul will provide various services to help reduce any inconveniences they encounter,'' he added.
The local government has designated 15 areas in Seoul as ``Global Zones'' and has been supporting foreign residents through the Seoul Global Center. Foreign communities or organizations that wish to arrange counseling services should call (02) 2075-4113 for more information.