Provincial News New residence for foreign sailors to open in Goseong

By Hong Dam-young

A new home for foreign sailors will be built in Goseong, Gangwon Province, by early October, which will help improve the quality of life for seamen who normally stay at old inns.

The three-story building in the Port of Gonghyunjin will accommodate up to 25 people, says Goseong county, which has spent nearly 800 million won ($724,000) on the project.

The number of foreign sailors in the town has increased in recent years while many young and strong Koreans have left in search of better jobs.

Nevertheless, the living standard of foreign sailors who work for Korean ship owners has been considered poor because of sub-standard accommodation and lack of other infrastructure.

“We expect the new residence for foreign sailors to solve a shortage of workers in the local fishing village,” said a Goseong official.

“Also, improving their welfare will encourage them to work and improve their human rights.”

The province also plans to build a new residence in Ayajin port in Toseong district, another commercial port with many foreign sailors.