By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The government is reaching out to migrant spouses by adopting two new programs to help them adjust to life in Korea.
Women from Southeast Asian countries, who make up the majority of the spouses, will have their overseas families visit them and be receiving mentorship from fellow migrant spouses, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday.
The city government is to adopt the mentoring program for these women. The `Meet Friends in Seoul' plan will let migrant spouses who have stayed here over three years provide advice and friendship to the unfamiliar newlyweds to help them get adjusted to life here easily. Those willing to participate in the program should call Seoul Foundation of Women and Family on 02-810-5033 by Friday.
The administrative ministry has invited 61 family members of 31 migrant spouses from Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.
The visitors will be able to experience Korean culture by visiting traditional palaces and folk villages. Those invited ― parents or sibling who have never visited Korea before ― will be staying with their respective families.
The administration ministry said it would push for a bill to help make 890,000 foreign residents, including 140,000 migrant spouses, feel at home.