By Kang Seung-woo
The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) is listening to the voices of expatriates there by conducting a survey on their living conditions between Jan. 19 and Feb. 13.
According to the IFEZ, one of the nation’s six free economic zones, the ongoing inquiry aims to gather and evaluate a variety of opinions of foreigners residing in Songdo about the living conditions there.
The survey analysis will be used as data to formulate its policies and improve community services, the IFEZ noted.
The IFEZ, comprised of Songdo, Cheongna, and Yeongjong Island, was officially designated as Korea’s first free economic zone in August 2003 by the Seoul administration and the self-sufficient living and business district is intended to become the hub in Northeast Asia for logistics, international business, leisure, and tourism based on its air and sea transportation. Incheon is Korea’s No. 2 port city and Yeongjong Island accommodates the country’s top international airport.
The poll is divided into six categories: general living condition in Songdo, habitation, transportation, medical, culture and IFEZ global services.
Overall living conditions in Songdo section asks questions about residence period, environment, urgent facilities in need and Koreans’ attitude towards foreign residents.
Habitation is about the type of residence, housing contract and evaluation of living condition, while respondents are required to evaluate the IFEZ’s transportation environment such as transportation information, public transportation service and foreign language information service.
The IFEZ also wants to know about its medical services ― medical services for foreigner such as foreign language services in local hospitals ― and cultural services ― cultural facilities and foreigner friendly services.
The final question is checking if foreign residents are aware of the IFEZ Global Service Center and what types of facilities ― for example, online-centers, immigration services, Korean language classes, Korean culture awareness and overall daily living consultation service ― are necessary for a better life in Songdo.
The survey is underway through the Web site of the Global Service Center at global.ifez.go.kr and distribution of the questionnaires in paper.
Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, has established free economic zones in its attempts to turn the country into a trade crossroad of global significance.
The free economic zones represents the country’s efforts to offer an optimal international business experience through waived custom duties, reduced tax and regulations, and world-class facilities in airports, harbors and offices.
Other than the IFEZ, there are five more free economic zones in Busan-Jinhae, Daegu-North Gyeognsang Province, Saemangeum-Gunsan, Gwangyang and the Yellow Sea.