Gyeonggi Province Public Service Center’s First Anniversary
(July 4, 2011)

-From issuing important documentation to conducting job searches… Gyeonggi Province’s Public Service Center handled 91,948 cases in its first year
-Services available before and after regular business hours

Gyeonggi Province opened Korea’s first Public Service Center at Suwon Subway Station on July 5, 2010. Since then, the office has handled 91,948 cases, a sure sign that it has been well received by the public.

The daily workload of the Public Service Center grew from just 200 cases 2010 to 308 in 2011 cases per day, representing a 53% increase, and the numbers are still growing.

By category, there were 3,9752 requests for certificate issuance; 19,971 cases of general consultation; 13,587 cases of Internet use; 6,755 cases of job search consultation; 2,569 cases of financial consultation; 2,093 cases of medical consultation; and 1,179 cases of free legal consultation among the various types of daily administrative services.

The Suwon Station Public Service Center is strategically placed in an area where there is a large volume of traffic, so members of the public can drop by on their way to and from work. Other services offered by the center include the transferal of private loans to low-interest loans (last year the center provided loans amounting to KRW 12.5 billion, slashing interest payments by KRW 36 billion); provision of consultation to jobseekers and introduction of vacant jobs for rehabilitation; provision of medical consultation services to improve public health; provision of legal consultation and solutions for pending issues; and provision of useful information on taxes, certificates, permits, and general administration to the public. Thanks to the practical assistance it provides, the number of visitors to center is on the rise.

A local government official remarked, “Our office opens early to greet workers on their way to work. All they have to do is drop by on their way to the train. I think this is a good example of tax money well spent. People often tell me how convenient it is because it is open till late and on weekends too.” The center has received hundreds of thank-you letters so far.

Lee Gwan-Su, head of the Public Service Center, said, “Gyeonggi Province’s Suwon Station Public Service Center has always focused on public convenience based on an advanced administrative system. We will continue to keep a close eye on what people need in order to provide quality services.”

The Suwon Station Public Service Center opened on July 5 last year to make administrative services easily available to the working public. It is situated within Suwon Station, a major traffic node. The services available include certificate issuance, general requests, job search assistance, Moohandolbom (welfare assistance), legal, financial and health consultation, the use of basic business equipment, and much more.

Following the success of the Public Service Center in Suwon Station, the government has provided financial aid to build similar centers in Bucheon, Pyeongtaek, and Dongducheon at Bucheon Station, Pyeongtaek Station, and Dongducheon Central Station.

Entrance to the Public Service Center in Suwon Station, Gyeonggi Province