By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Foreign panel members of the local TV show ``The Beauties' Chatterbox'' were made goodwill envoys for the Ministry of Justice, Tuesday.
Lu Vada E. Dunford, Eva Sachiko Popiel, Noel Dominique, Alderete Cancian Abigail Ahinoam, Sophia Sruya Biniti Ridza Abdoh and Yao Sun, and Nigerian comedian Timothy Ochuba were appointed to promote the newly established Korea Immigration Service.
The service is to provide a million foreigners residing in Korea with services that help them facilitate their stay here. It deals with inquiries regarding work permits and other visa-related problems.
``Before, we used to just issue rules on foreigners, but the new service will help them become real members of society during their stay. We also think this will help Korea, too,'' Kim Young-geun, an official at the ministry, said.
Justice Minister Kim Sung-ho said that the country needs to accept people from other cultural backgrounds, just as the U.S. is acclaimed as a ``melting pot.'' He also said that he hopes the ``beauties'' will give other foreigners a comfortable image of living in Korea and get them to use its government service including immigration.
The Beauties' Chatterbox airs every Monday evening where 16 foreign females living in Korea talk about their experiences in the country, and explore differences between cultures. It is one of the most watched programs with a 15.2 percent viewer rating.