○ Gyeonggi Province to launch the Gyeonggi Interpretation Supporters Project this year
– Marriage immigrants who can communicate in Korean to be appointed as “supporters”
– Interpretation services to be provided at public institutions, hospitals, banks, etc.
○ The project is expected to contribute to protecting the rights of foreign residents and creating jobs for them.

A new project is being launched for foreign residents of Gyeonggi Province who have difficulty using public institutions, hospitals, and banks due to communication problems.

On February 23, Gyeonggi Province announced its plan to launch the new “Gyeonggi Interpretation Supporters Project.”

The project, introduced first by the provincial assembly, appoints Korean-speaking marriage immigrants as “supporters” who provide interpretation services to foreign residents when they visit public institutions, hospitals, and banks.

Some foreign residents have been unable to benefit from public services including medical services and properly respond to unpaid wages or other problems due to communication difficulties. This project is geared to alleviate these difficulties.

Prior to the introduction of the project, Gyeonggi Province conducted a demand survey of cities and counties that wanted to participate in the project. Based on the results, this year, 35 people from 10 cities and counties including Bucheon, Hwaseong, Namyangju, Pyeongtaek, Uijeongbu, Paju, Siheung, Gimpo, Pocheon, and Gapyeong will be appointed as supporters.

These supporters are selected from among those who have passed the Level 4 of the Test of Proficiency in Korean or completed Level 4 or higher of the Social Integration Program of the Ministry of Justice. They provide interpretation services at public institutions, hospitals, and banks that are frequented by foreign residents in the 10 cities and counties over a 10-month period from March to December of this year.

The interpretation service is available in 10 foreign languages including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian and Russian.

In the future, Gyeonggi Province plans to include all 31 cities and counties of the province in the project by analyzing effects through on-site interim evaluations to determine the additional assignment of supporters.

“This project will contribute to easing inconveniences experienced by foreign residents and creating jobs for them. Gyeonggi Province will continue to help foreign residents engage in seamless and swift communication so that they can stably adapt themselves to Korean society,” said Foreign Policy Division Director Hong Dong-gi.