Foreign brides lookout over their farm village

On the 19th, Gyeonggi reported that international marriage couples in the rural community have increased along with the increased number of foreign brides nationwide.

“In 2005, almost 30% of the total 900 marriages registered in rural areas were known to be marriages with foreign women, which mean that 1 out of 3 grooms in the rural areas are married with a bride from overseas. This is an increase of 51 marriages (23%) to the 223 international marriages the year before. According to statistics, there are approx. 1,100 international couples residing in each district of Gyeonggi-do. 218 in Icheon, 125 in Anseong, 120 in Yangpyeong, 87 in Paju, 85 in Namyangju and etc.”, said the local government.

41% of the foreign brides married with farmers said that they are very distressed to communicate in Korean with others, whereas only 28% of the foreign brides married with the urban towners pointed out the communication difficulty as the biggest worry of living in Korea. Also, approx. 67% of the foreign brides in the rural community were having troubles with their grooms and their family due to different academic career, big age gap, and etc. whereas only 56% of the urban foreign brides were experiencing the same trouble. There are also other problems that the foreign brides are bearing such as cultural difference, children’s education, different economic standard, and etc.

To support rural foreign brides to adapt themselves into the Korean society much faster and easier, the Gyeonggi government, together with other relevant authorities and local organizations, will implement many programs such as Language Classes for Foreign Brides, Couple Relationship Management Classes, Family Camping, and etc. These programs will firstly be implemented as a trial in Icheon, Gimpo, Paju, Yeoncheon and etc. Apart from these, local government will also give KRW 297 million to operate Visiting Class Services, which will accomplish Visiting Language Classes, Couple Relationship Management twice a year, Family Camping once a year and Special Award for the Best Couple.

For this Visiting Class Services, Gyeonggi is now recruiting 44 service providers from Icheon, Gimpo, Paju, and Yeoncheon who will be teaching and guiding 240 local foreign brides. Anyone aged over 18 who are from the above-specified 4 districts of Gyeonggi with more than 6 months of Korean language teaching experience to foreigners or more than 20 hours of relevant course of teaching are eligible to apply as a Visiting Class Service Provider. Selected service providers will visit 3 families daily for 3 days a week, delivering Korea language tips, living essentials and etc. and will be paid a monthly payment of KRW 600,000 (KRW 50,000 a day based on making 12 visits a month).

Application for this Visiting Service Provider will close on Jan. 22 which should be submitted to the local city hall and district office via visit, fax and etc. Any other details will be found in the webpages of the Gyeonggi government, local city and districts.