Busan is good

Busan Launches Web Site to Help Foreign Settlement

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Busan launched a new multilingual Web site to help its foreign residents and newcomers to settle in the city, Wednesday.

The nation's largest port city is the first to make such online one-stop services available for foreigners. The site, named ``Busan Life'' (www.busanlife.or.kr), offers services in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.

``We believe the site will serve as a useful information tool to help foreigners with every aspect of their lives in Busan,'' an official with the city administration said.

In particular, the site is expected to come in handy for those who have been denied information due to their lack of Korean language ability.

The site will contain guidance menus for employment and investment, housing, education, driving, medical services and contact information of foreign missions in Korea.

It will also provide information on tourist attractions, including entertainment and shopping districts.

For those seeking information over the phone, Busan operates a counseling center at 1577-7716 with services in Korean, English, Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese, aimed at helping multicultural families without ready online access.

Currently, there are 7,280 multicultural couples residing in Busan. The number of multicultural family members in the city is estimated at 10,300, including children.

The largest immigrant community comes from China, with 2,490 residents. Ethnic Koreans from China are the second largest with 1,790 residents, followed by 1,330 Vietnamese, 556 Taiwanese and 393 Filipinos.

For more information, contact the Busan Foundation for International Activities at 051-865-0133.

The source of news : The Korea Times  July 1, 2009