Free Legal Counseling Offices for Vulnerable

Groups to be Expanded to 25 in Gyeonggi Province’s

Cities and Counties

Five More Offices Will be Designated for Foreign Residents, the Disabled and Low-Income Families Living in Areas with Low Accessibility

Gyeonggi Province announced on January 23 that it will expand the number of its counseling centers providing free legal advice to foreign residents and vulnerable groups, including low-incomes families, to 25 in cities and counties throughout the province. ⓒ Gyeonggi G News

On January 25, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will expand the number of its counseling centers providing free legal advice to foreign residents and vulnerable groups – including low-incomes families – to 25 in cities and counties throughout the province.

Currently, 20 cities and counties in the province are operating free legal counseling offices. Starting from February 2, five counseling offices in Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, Bucheon, Gimpo and Anyang will be designated to accommodate more of Gyeonggi Province’s counseling centers.

An official of the Legal Affairs Division of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government said, “We have decided to expand free legal counseling offices to enhance convenience for foreign residents and low-income vulnerable groups who find it difficult to obtain legal services compared to other resident groups.” He added, “It is expected that legal welfare for residents will be improved with the expanded number of counseling centers.”

The free legal counseling offices are city and county counseling facilities established for low-income vulnerable groups and residents who live in areas with low accessibility to provincial government offices. Since 2012, the centers have been operating to provide legal counseling and free litigation support regardless of the places of residence of users of the service.

In addition to legal counseling, users of the service – including foreign residents – can obtain free services such as litigation support, provision of legal representatives for low and middle income debtors, and legal aid in filing for personal recovery and bankruptcy.

Currently, city and county counseling centers in the province are located in Seongnam, Goyang, Siheung, Hwaseong, Osan, Hanam, Yeoju, Namyangju, Paju, Yangju, Pocheon, Anseong, Pyeongtaek, Yeoncheon, Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Icheon, Guri, Ansan and Gwangju.

Last year, the centers provided free legal services in a total of 117 cases, and 23 residents were offered legal aid including the provision of legal representatives for low and middle income debtors in lawsuits, as well as personal recovery and bankruptcy application procedural support.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has also been providing free legal counseling services since 2009. Residents who seek counseling can use the services by visiting this free legal counseling office between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays.

For more information, please contact the free legal counseling office (031-8008-2234) or the Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031-120).