This is a good idea that is being implemented in Seoul:
Foreign residents are to find living in Seoul easier. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday opened a one-stop consultation center for foreigners Wednesday. Dubbed the Global Center, the facility has 30 staff fluent in English, Japanese, Chinese and French and offers foreign residents information about getting a driver’s license or credit card to opening a bank account, using a hospital, garbage handling, cell phone subscription, visa extension and tax. It will launch its homepage late next month and will start offering business, tour and job information in four languages.
Starting in April, information about education, housing, tax, restaurants, bus and subway routes and cultural performances will also be provided. Tax bills will be issued in English, Japanese, Chinese and French to foreign residents in foreigner-heavy neighborhoods like Ichon, Yeonhee, Yeonnam and Itaewon. [Chosun Ilbo]
Popularity: 3%
8:53 am on January 26th, 2008 1
Yup,
Went there yesterday to get my drivers lic. Easy and no one was there. I got there around 4:30. They also have a lot of info. I.E. complete bus route/time books, all of the seoul entertainment mags. and anything you need to know when starting a business. I did run into one hiccup though, When I first arrived the woman behind the desk at the DL office didn’t speak english. ???? They did get some who did fast. Also the immigration there does not do A3/SOFA visa stamps. This still has to be done at Mokdong or Uijongbu.
7:53 pm on January 26th, 2008 2
Hopefully they will get to the bugs worked out and this program will be enough of a success that they will expand it to other areas. I will have to check the place out myself just out of curiosity when I am in Korea later on this year.
5:50 pm on January 28th, 2008 3
[...] right place, but they are lacking in the follow through and extended vision. I have to agree with GI Korea about hoping to see this place improve and spread into other areas–it will definately make our [...]