The Ministry of Public Administration and Security said Monday (March 17) that it will provide free medical service for a selected group of foreign residents jointly with a local hospital from Wednesday.

The service was first suggested by the Daniel Hospital in Gyeonggi-do (Province) after the ministry invited some parents of marriage immigrants to Korea last year.

Out of the 50 patients selected by provincial governments and Daniel Hospital, 16 will receive treatments from physicians, surgeons, neurologists and dentists on Wednesday.

Many marriage immigrants and migrant workers who are financially unstable have not been able to afford medical treatment.

The number of expatriates in Korea was tallied at over 700,000 last year. The public administration ministry said it will save no efforts in assisting their settlement in local communities.