○ Launching ceremony and empowerment training for 2025 Interpreting Support Team
○ Services available in 14 languages, including specialized foreign languages; training conducted to enhance expertise and cultural sensitivity

The Gender Violence Response Team (hereinafter referred to as the Response Team), jointly operated by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Women & Family Foundation, held a launch ceremony on September 19 for the 2025 Interpretation Support Team. The initiative is designed to provide direct support to foreign victims of gender-based violence in the province.

The project was established to expand assistance for victimized foreigners who may otherwise be marginalized due to language and cultural barriers. It aims to provide reliable interpretation and translation services in sensitive and complex situations, including supporting police investigations, offering legal counseling, and accompanying victims during statements.

The Response Team currently operates with 21 interpreters and translators who were recruited last year. This year, the team has expanded its personnel and language coverage, strengthening its capacity through partnerships, including a business agreement with the Critical Foreign Language Education Promotion Center at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS).

In particular, given the demographics of Gyeonggi Province—with large foreign resident populations concentrated in cities such as Ansan, Siheung, and Hwaseong—providing support only in common languages such as English and Chinese has proven insufficient. To tackle this issue, a total of 33 interpreters and translators are now active, covering 14 languages, including less commonly supported ones such as Lao and Hindi. This improvement has enabled the establishment of a Gyeonggi-tailored support system more responsive to the needs of local communities.

Capacity-building training was also conducted in conjunction with the launching ceremony, focusing on practical areas, including understanding gender-based violence, victim support, and procedures for investigative and legal assistance. The Response Team plans to continue providing regular training to enhance interpreters’ sensitivity to gender issues and strengthen their ability to respond effectively on site.

Lee Seong-eun, head of the Response Team, stated, “Many foreign victims still struggle to receive appropriate aid due to language barriers,” adding, “Through the operation of the Interpretation Support Team, we will build an environment where any victim can receive safe and prompt protection at any time.”