News – Gyeonggi Global

Gyeonggi Province Eliminates 90-Day Residency Requirement for Childcare Subsidies for Foreign Children Beginning in July

2026-07-06T06:03:52Z

○ Removal of the 90-day residency requirement allows eligible children to receive support immediately upon foreign resident registration, helping eliminate gaps in childcare assistance
○ Beginning in July, Gyeonggi Province will ease the eligibility requirements for its childcare subsidy program for foreign children, allowing infants and young children who have completed foreign resident registration to receive childcare subsidies regardless of how long they have lived in the province.
○ The province announced on June 30 that it will abolish the residency requirement and expand eligibility for the childcare subsidy program following revisions to the “Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Support for Foreign Residents.”
○ The program provides childcare subsidies for foreign children aged 0 to 5 enrolled in daycare centers across Gyeonggi Province. It aims to reduce childcare costs for foreign families while ensuring that all infants and young children have equal access to childcare services without discrimination.
○ Previously, both the parent or guardian and the child were required to have resided in Gyeonggi Province for more than 90 days to qualify for the subsidy. As a result, newly arrived foreign families often fell outside the support system during their initial settlement period, creating gaps in access to childcare assistance.
○ With the ordinance revision, however, the 90-day residency requirement has been removed. Foreign children who have completed foreign resident registration will now be eligible for childcare subsidies when attending daycare centers regardless of their length of residence.
○ Ko Hyeon-suk, Director of the Gyeonggi Province’s Childcare Policy Division, stated, “This change in the eligibility criteria is expected to ease the childcare burden on foreign families and help eliminate gaps in childcare support,” adding, “We will continue working to create an inclusive childcare environment where every child in the province receives equal care and support.”

Gyeonggi Province Establishes Foundation to Provide Medical Services for Foreign Residents Without National Health Insurance Coverage

2026-07-07T01:04:37Z

○ Passed an ordinance to improve public healthcare access and establish a collaborative healthcare system for foreign residents on June 24
– Aiming to strengthen public healthcare access and build a collaborative healthcare system for uninsured foreign residents facing financial and language barriers, helping protect community public health
○ Gyeonggi Province has established an institutional foundation to ensure that foreign residents who are not covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, including undocumented foreign nationals, can receive necessary medical services.
○ On June 26, the province announced that the “Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Improving Public Healthcare Access and Establishing a Collaborative Healthcare System for Foreign Residents” was approved by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on June 24.
○ The ordinance’s greatest significance lies in institutionalizing healthcare access for foreign residents as a matter of strengthening the community’s public healthcare safety net, rather than treating it as an individual hardship or a one-time support measure.
○ For foreign residents who are not covered by the NHI system, accessing medical care often presents a substantial financial burden. Medical costs are higher due to international pricing, while language barriers and limited access to healthcare information frequently discourage or prevent individuals from seeking treatment even when they experience symptoms.
○ The province explained that it introduced the ordinance because delayed or inadequate access to necessary medical services for uninsured foreign residents could lead not only to worsening individual health conditions but also to broader public health risks, including more severe medical emergencies and the spread of infectious diseases.
○ The ordinance includes provisions that define: the provincial governor’s responsibilities for improving healthcare access for uninsured foreign residents and strengthening the public healthcare safety net; eligibility requirements and priority support categories; cooperation with partner medical institutions, public healthcare organizations, and private medical support organizations; medical interpretation services and the provision of healthcare information; and connections to public health services, including vaccinations and infectious disease management.
○ Based on the ordinance, Gyeonggi Province plans to first secure partnerships with medical institutions and establish a comprehensive support system that includes medical interpretation, accompaniment services, counseling, and case management so that uninsured foreign residents can access both medical treatment and public healthcare services. The province also plans to strengthen cooperation with six public hospitals operated by the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center, local public health centers, and private medical support organizations to expand access to essential public healthcare services such as vaccinations and infectious disease management.
○ Eligible recipients include foreign residents who are not covered by the NHI system, have resided in Gyeonggi Province for at least 90 days, and are recognized as requiring public healthcare support. Pregnant women, infants and young children, and individuals suspected or confirmed to have infectious diseases will receive priority assistance. Support will be limited to cases recognized as necessary for public health purposes, including infectious disease prevention and maternal and child healthcare.
○ The province emphasized that the ordinance is not intended to replace the NHI system or create a separate healthcare system. Rather, its purpose is to connect foreign residents who fall outside existing systems with public health services and local medical resources. Instead of providing direct financial assistance for medical expenses, the ordinance focuses on reducing gaps in public healthcare by linking existing systems with local healthcare resources, thereby helping prevent treatment delays and reducing public health risks across local communities.
○ Going forward, Gyeonggi Province plans to consult with relevant departments, municipal governments, medical institutions, private mutual aid organizations, and foreign resident support organizations to establish detailed implementation procedures and operational plans.
○ Kim Seong-hwan, Director of the Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Support Division, stated, “The health rights of foreign residents who fall outside the NHI system are not simply an issue affecting a particular group, but one that concerns the health and safety of the entire community.” He added, “Based on the purpose of this ordinance, we will carefully examine ways to improve healthcare access and strengthen public-private healthcare cooperation while minimizing unnecessary misunderstandings and controversy, ultimately building a public healthcare safety net that earns broad community support.”

Gyeonggi Province Gathers Feedback on Healthcare Access from Migrant Residents Through Policy Roundtable

2026-07-07T01:01:00Z

○ Discussed policy improvements after hearing firsthand experiences from migrants regarding healthcare services
○ Participants called for stronger medical interpretation services and other measures to improve healthcare access for migrants
○ Gyeonggi Province held the “Gyeonggi Province Migrant Community Policy Roundtable” at the Seongnam Family Center on June 26 to hear directly from migrant residents about the challenges they face when accessing healthcare services.
○ The roundtable was organized ahead of the implementation of the “Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Improving Public Healthcare Access and Establishing a Collaborative Healthcare System for Foreign Residents,” which was passed by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on June 24. The meeting sought to explore practical measures to safeguard migrants’ right to healthcare and strengthen related support policies.
○ Participants included honorary ambassadors for foreign residents, migrant community members, medical interpreters, hospital medical coordinators, and other stakeholders. They exchanged views on the difficulties migrants encounter when using healthcare services and discussed ways to improve related policies.
○ Participants recommended expanding multilingual health information on disease prevention and response, strengthening medical interpretation services at public hospitals, and establishing more systematic professional training programs for medical interpreters. They emphasized the need to improve migrants’ access to both healthcare services and essential health information.
○ Yoon Hyeon-ok, Director of the Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Policy Division, stated, “For migrants to become stable members of local communities, it is essential to listen directly to their experiences and reflect those voices in policymaking,” adding, “We will carefully review the suggestions raised today and explore ways to incorporate them into relevant policies and programs.”
○ Throughout July, Gyeonggi Province will continue holding a series of policy roundtables in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Center for Immigration and Social Integration Support and the province’s honorary ambassadors for foreign residents. Upcoming discussions will focus on international students, youth from migrant backgrounds, and labor-related issues.

Gyeonggi Holds Global Investment Roadshow in Singapore, Asia’s Leading Investment Hub

2026-07-07T04:14:37Z

○ Supporting overseas investment attraction for 15 promising startups from Gyeonggi Province through participation in Echelon Singapore 2026
○ Investment presentations and networking events targeting global investors based in Singapore and ASEAN
– More than 50 investment consultations conducted, with follow-up investment and partnership discussions continuing for participating companies
○ Visit to IPI Singapore to discuss market entry strategies for Singapore and ASEAN through consultations with industry experts
Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA) announced on June 7 that they dispatched a global investment delegation (INVEST Gyeonggi) to Singapore, one of Asia’s leading investment hubs, to support overseas investment attraction and Asian market expansion for promising companies in the province.
The roadshow took place over four days from June 1 to 4 and was held in conjunction with Echelon Singapore 2026, a global technology and startup conference. Through the visit, Gyeonggi Province sought to build networks with global investors based in Singapore and Southeast Asia, while also exploring opportunities for local companies to attract overseas investment and expand into Asian markets.
The delegation included 15 promising companies selected through the 2026 INVEST Gyeonggi program in sectors such as AI, IT, and biotechnology. Participating companies included Refundy, Dobby Canvas, Braincheese, PromLabs, and CT-5 (AI); Geeks Loft and Vuild Corporation (IT); Microt, ExoSystems, Turinax, Deepson Bio, NeuroBB, and Bhome Gen (biotechnology); Dareumdaleum (food tech); and Suphere (sports tech).
On June 3, the provincial government organized an investor relations (IR) pitching session in conjunction with Echelon Singapore 2026. Echelon Singapore is a global technology and startup conference that brings together startups, investors, corporations, government agencies, and other stakeholders from the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The pitching session showcased the technological capabilities and growth potential of Gyeonggi-based companies and created opportunities to connect with local investors and business partners for investment and overseas market expansion.
Earlier on June 2, the province also hosted its own investor relations event in Singapore for global investors. The event was attended by investment firms based in Singapore and Southeast Asia, including Altara Ventures and AgFunder. Participating companies introduced their innovative technologies and business models and explored potential collaboration opportunities through one-on-one consultations with investors.
On June 4, the delegation visited IPI Singapore, a technology commercialization support organization, to discuss opportunities for participating companies to enter the local market. The companies met with industry experts to discuss local market demand, potential technology applications, proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, and strategies for connecting with local partners, helping them refine their market-entry plans for Singapore and the broader ASEAN region.
Through the roadshow, Gyeonggi Province facilitated connections between participating companies and more than 30 global investment firms and institutes supporting local market-entry. More than 50 investor meetings were held through investment presentations, networking events, and one-on-one consultations, with follow-up discussions ensuing for many participating companies.
Turinax is currently engaged in investment discussions with Gobi Partners and is also continuing follow-up talks with the National University of Singapore regarding potential research collaboration. Dareumdaleum and Braincheese are likewise continuing investment discussions with investors they connected with through the roadshow. The province expects these outcomes to help participating companies secure future investment and strengthen their foothold in Singapore and ASEAN markets.
Yu So-jeong, Director of the Investment Promotion Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, “Singapore is a key investment hub of Asia, where global investors and innovative companies converge. This roadshow provided a valuable opportunity for Gyeonggi-based companies to expand their prospects in Asian markets,” adding, “Gyeonggi Province will continue to strengthen the INVEST Gyeonggi brand and provide ongoing support so that promising companies can achieve tangible results in attracting overseas investment.”

Gyeonggi Launches 2026 Oh! My Gyeonggi Supporters Program to Promote International Tourism

2026-07-07T04:16:17Z

○ Aiming to produce more than 1,200 media content annually, highlighting Korean festivals, food, night tourism, and more
Gyeonggi Province held the inauguration ceremony for the “2026 Gyeonggi Tourism Foreign Supporters (Oh! My Gyeonggi, O.M.G)” on May 29 at Seohaemaru Youth Hostel in Hwaseong. The participants also embarked on their first group tour through Hwaseong and Yongin until May 30 to begin promoting Gyeonggi tourism to global audiences.
Now in its sixth year, the Gyeonggi Tourism Foreign Supporters program is a global marketing initiative that introduces Gyeonggi Province’s tourism attractions through the perspectives of foreign creators residing in Korea. By expanding tourism-related content on social media platforms for international audiences, the program seeks to heighten recognition of Gyeonggi tourism and reach more potential visitors overseas.
This year’s supporters group consists of 40 participants from 30 countries. Representing Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Oceania, South Asia, and Central Asia, the creators will showcase the appeal of Gyeonggi tourism through content focused on their areas of interest, including travel, food, festivals, and everyday life.
Participants were selected primarily from foreign content creators living in Korea who have at least 1,500 followers on social media. Through Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Weibo, and other various platforms, they will introduce Gyeonggi’s tourism attractions to audiences worldwide.
The inauguration ceremony featured the presentation of appointment certificates, an orientation session, and training on content creation guidelines. Participants also discussed future activities and gained a deeper understanding of Gyeonggi Province’s major tourism assets.
Following the ceremony, participants visited some of Gyeonggi Province’s signature tourist destinations in Hwaseong and Yongin, including the Seohaerang Cable Car, Jebudo Island, the Jeongok Port Sunset Yacht Tour, and Everland. They soon began conducting on-site coverage and producing promotional content.
Through this year’s program, Gyeonggi Province aims to generate more than 1,200 pieces of social media content. The province plans to organize eight group and individual media tours throughout the year—focusing on themes such as Gyeonggi Province’s notable festivals, the Gyeonggi coastline, night tourism, food, and K-dramas.
Go Yeong-mi, Director of the Tourism Industry Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, “Content directly experienced and created by foreign visitors is one of the most effective ways to generate actual tourism demand,” adding, “We will continue working with supporters from diverse nationalities to vividly showcase Gyeonggi Province’s hidden tourism attractions to global audiences.”
The 2025 Gyeonggi Tourism Foreign Supporters program included 30 participants from 22 countries, resulting in a total of 1,178 pieces social media content and amassing over 20.3 million views.

Gyeonggi Holds 2026 G-FAIR China in Chongqing, Securing USD 41.21 Million in Export Deals

2026-07-07T04:17:19Z

○ From May 21 to 24, Gyeonggi hosted the 2026 G-FAIR China Exhibition and Export Consultation Meeting in Chongqing, China
○ Held in conjunction with the 8th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) to support overseas market expansion for Korean SMEs
On June 1, Gyeonggi Province announced that it generated approximately USD 41.21 million in export deals through the exhibition and export consultations held at the 2026 G-FAIR China, in Chongqing, China, from May 21 to 24.
G-FAIR China is one of Gyeonggi Province’s flagship international exhibitions designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises of Korea expand into overseas markets, particularly in western China. This year’s event was held in a “show-in-show” format alongside the 8th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), providing Korean exporting SMEs with broader opportunities to expand their sales channels and export networks.
A total of 50 promising SMEs from Gyeonggi Province participated in the event, engaging in active business consultations with local buyers. With K-beauty and smart manufacturing equipment as key sectors, participating companies generated export deals totaling USD 41.21 million. Korean products continue to receive favorable evaluations from buyers in western China for advanced technology and high quality.
One notable participant was careCL, a beauty device manufacturer based in Goyang. During the exhibition, the company held consultations with a major Chongqing-based distributor specializing in professional beauty and medical equipment supplied to local hospitals and healthcare institutions. Impressed by the advanced technology of Korean skincare devices, the buyer expressed interest on-site and wished to secure exclusive distribution rights for the Chinese market. The two companies continued discussions regarding an exclusive distribution agreement valued at USD 414,000. Through similar consultations held during G-FAIR China, the participating companies secured a total of 27 export agreements valued at approximately USD 11.82 million.
Park Geun-gyun, Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau at Gyeonggi Province, stated, “We’ve witnessed strong interest in K-brands among buyers in western China during the consultation meetings. This provides significant momentum for exports by SMEs in our province,” adding, “We will do our best to strengthen our support programs so that Gyeonggi-based companies can achieve tangible results in global markets.”

Gyeonggi Province Opens Global Pathways for 100 Young People Through 2026 Gyeongcheong Stars

2026-07-07T04:18:38Z

○ Building global competency through hands-on experience at companies in 12 cities across 12 countries including Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, and China
○ Supporting young people as they explore career paths through overseas field experience, practical language training, mentoring, and related programs

Gyeonggi Province marked the start of the “2026 Gyeonggi Youth Overseas Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunity Expansion Project (Gyeongcheong Stars)” on May 28 with a ceremony at the Gwanggyo Hall of the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator.

As Gyeonggi Province’s flagship global program for young people, the Gyeongcheong Stars project helps participants build employment and entrepreneurship competency through firsthand experience at overseas industrial sites. A total of 624 applicants applied this year for an average competition rate of 6.2:1, with 100 participants selected.

This year’s destinations span 12 cities in 12 countries: Japan (Tokyo), United Kingdom (London), Canada (Toronto), Singapore, Poland (Warsaw), Türkiye (Istanbul), Indonesia (Jakarta), India (Bengaluru), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), China (Chongqing), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), and Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek).

The 100 young participants selected will take part in a 4-week program tailored to each destination. Activities include practical training in local languages, mentoring, job training, trade marketing practice at Korean companies abroad, and participation in overseas exhibitions.

The opening ceremony saw participants taking part in “Between the Stars,” a talk program featuring young people who joined the project last year. They shared firsthand experiences, preparation tips, and other practical insights. The event also included “Star Golden Bell” with Vice Governor for Economy An Jeong-gon, open-question mentoring, sentence-completion games, and other activities designed to encourage open conversation.

The venue even included a kiosk where participants could create luggage stickers featuring their own faces, a DIY name-tag zone, a photo zone, and a message-wall lounge. The spaces helped promote the project while giving participants a stronger sense of belonging.

“As young people continue to face a difficult employment environment, I hope this project becomes more than a simple overseas experience. May each participant discover new possibilities and future career paths,” Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Economy An Jeong-gon said at the opening ceremony. According to him, Gyeonggi Province will continue supporting young people actively as they take on global challenges and expanding opportunities for them to grow in global markets.

After the ceremony, Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator will hold a three-day preliminary training program covering overseas safety rules, global business etiquette, and related topics. Full overseas experience programs are scheduled to begin on June 29 in line with each destination’s schedule.

Last year, 198 young people spent 4 weeks gaining hands-on experience at companies in 14 cities across 13 countries. The first round ran from July to August with 100 participants, followed by a second round in November with 98 participants.

Gyeonggi Province Pursues USD 20.07 Million in Export Contracts Through the 2026 K-Food Export Consultation Meeting

2026-07-07T04:21:54Z

○ 60 SMEs in Gyeonggi Province took part in the 2026 K-Food Export Consultation Meeting
– Secured USD 20.07 million in prospective contracts through 195 business consultations with buyers from the CIS region

Gyeonggi Province announced on May 25 that it held the “2026 K-Food Export Consultation Meeting” at the Novotel Ambassador Suwon on May 21. The event arranged one-on-one export consultations between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Gyeonggi Province and buyers from three Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

The consultation meeting was designed to provide exporting SMEs with direct access to export consultation services, focusing on opening practical overseas sales channels for K-Food products.

Driven by the global reach of the Korean Wave, K-Food is becoming part of mainstream food culture worldwide with exports continuing to grow steadily. The category is also well-suited for overseas expansion considering the less burdensome certification and regulatory requirements compared to other sectors.

The CIS food market has strong growth potential, but individual companies often struggle to enter the market on their own due to limited access to local buyer information and networks. This necessitates provincial export consultation support to help companies gain a foothold in the market.
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The meeting brought together 60 SMEs in Gyeonggi Province’s K-Food sector, including companies specializing in ramen, gim, snacks, and various home meal replacement products. A total of 31 buyers from 3 countries including Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan also took part.

As a result, 195 consultations led to USD 53.57 million in export consultation outcomes with 190 prospective contracts worth USD 20.07 million.

With buyers showing strong interest in K-Food products, three MOUs were signed on-site.

Daesan Food signed the largest of the three MOUs with Russian snack distributor Lanix-M. The export MOU is worth USD 300,000, centering on Daesan Food’s snack and confectionery products from Gyeonggi Province. Lanix-M gave high marks to Daesan Food’s strong taste, quality, and price competitiveness. The company was especially interested in Daesan Food’s ability to adjust product design and specifications based on buyer needs. Through Lanix-M’s Korea branch, both sides agreed to begin product sample testing quickly and continue detailed discussions toward signing a contract.

Another export MOU came from Good Habit, with the Gyeonggi Province-based health food company signing a USD 30,000 MOU with Kazakh distributor Collagen kz. Collagen kz responded positively to the quality of Good Habit’s main product kombucha and halal certification. Both sides agreed to continue detailed discussions based on local market response, with plans to increase the transaction volume.

Based on the results from the consultation meeting, Gyeonggi Province plans to select approximately 10 outstanding companies and support additional buyer consultations through on-site visits to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan around September. Many companies that applied for the consultation meeting had expressed interest in visiting local markets.

“We hope this consultation meeting will help K-Food companies in Gyeonggi Province achieve tangible export results and enter markets in the CIS region,” said Park Gyeong-seo, Director of Gyeonggi Province’s International Trade Division, adding, “Gyeonggi Province will continue arranging consultations with local buyers from various countries and provide full support as companies in the province expand overseas sales channels.”

Gyeonggi Province Forms First Refugee Support Policy Advisory Committee Among Local Governments, Holds Inaugural Meeting

2026-07-07T04:23:03Z

○ Gyeonggi Province holds first meeting of Korea’s first Refugee Support Policy Advisory Committee run by a local government
– Discussed policy directions, support standards, and related matters for refugees living in Gyeonggi Province
– Legal experts, academicians, field specialists, and refugees joined the review on ways to help refugees settle smoothly in local communities

Gyeonggi Province held the first meeting of the Gyeonggi Province Refugee Support Policy Advisory Committee on June 18 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Northern Complex in Uijeongbu. The meeting covered future committee operations and policy directions.

As the first deliberative and advisory body of its kind formed by a local government, the Gyeonggi Province Refugee Support Policy Advisory Committee was established to review refugee-related policies more systematically and prepare ways for refugees to settle smoothly in local communities.

Ten members serve on the committee, including Director General Kim Won-kyu of Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Bureau as an ex officio member. Other members include Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members, legal and academic experts, relevant agencies, civil society and field specialists, migrants, and refugees. The committee will deliberate and advise on matters including the establishment, revision, evaluation, and improvement of basic plans, feasibility of refugee support projects, operation of refugee support facilities, and criteria for identifying people in refugee-like circumstances.

The first part of the event featured an appointment ceremony. The first committee meeting followed, with members electing a chair and a vice chair, discussing the background of the committee’s establishment, and reviewing future operations and policy directions.

As of 2025, 16,408 of the 46,786 refugees in Korea live in Gyeonggi Province. This accounts for 35.1% of the national total, the highest share among metropolitan and provincial governments. Within Gyeonggi Province, large numbers of refugees live in cities such as Ansan, Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, and Pocheon.

“If refugees face social isolation or poverty, the situation may lead to broader instability and conflict in local communities. Reasonable policy support is needed to prevent conflict in advance and strengthen community cohesion,” said Kim Won-kyu, Director General of Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Bureau, adding, “Based on voices from the field and expert opinions, we will continue discussing policy directions that residents can support.”

Gyeonggi Province Selects Seven Migrant Worker Shelters for Facility Improvement Support of Up to KRW 10 Million Each

2026-07-07T04:23:45Z

○ Seven migrant worker shelters selected for facility upgrades and meal support

On May 13, Gyeonggi Province announced the selection of seven organizations for its “2026 Migrant Worker Shelter Improvement Support Project,” aimed at improving the living stability of migrant workers.

The project goes beyond basic facility repairs by improving living, safety, and hygiene conditions at migrant worker shelters operated by nonprofit and civic organizations throughout the province.

Each shelter will receive up to KRW 10 million. Support includes improvements to aging electrical systems and other potential fire hazards, repairs to flooring, wallpaper, toilets, and kitchen facilities, quarantine and disinfection services, and partial support for food expenses.

Following an open call for applications in March, seven organizations were selected through administrative reviews, on-site inspections, and deliberation by Gyeonggi Province’s Local Subsidy Review Committee. The project runs from May to December. Since launching the program in 2021, the province has supported 48 facility improvement projects for 23 organizations through 2025.