Chungcheongnam-do

▲ The multicultural immigrant plus center in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, the first kind of center to be established in the country

“Multicultural immigrant plus center”, the first kind of center to be installed in the country in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, held the opening ceremony on September 8th and commenced operations.

The multicultural immigrant plus center is a facility at which various government services that multicultural families, foreign workers, study abroad students, residents abroad, etc. need can be received in a single place.

The center is situated within Citizens’ Cultural Welfare Center, which is also the home of the multicultural family support center and immigrant workers’ center.

There are four agencies currently residing in the multicultural immigrant plus center, and the Ministry of Justice Immigration Office will provide various services including ▲authorization for permission of stay and period extension, ▲issuance of visa issue certificate and ▲issuance of proof of immigration.

The Foreigner Employment Management Team under the Branch Office of Ministry of Employment and Labor will perform services including ▲issuance of employment authorization for foreign workers, ▲extension of employment period (authorization for re-employment), ▲change in business site (transfer, succession, etc.) and ▲re-entry and re-employment of diligent workers.

Asan immigrant workers’ center located inside the multicultural immigrant plus center currently carries out ▲ counseling on employment authorization system and guidance on living information, ▲education on Korean language, understanding of Korean society and computers, ▲medical support activities, ▲cultural festivals and much more.

Meanwhile, Asan multicultural family support center performs services including ▲guidance on living information such as finance and medicine, ▲education on Korean language, understanding of Korean society and social integration, ▲interpretation and translation and ▲public education adjustment support for students from multicultural families.

A representative from the province explained, “Government services for foreign residents have thus far been provided by their status or identity, like multicultural family, foreigner, foreign worker and student from a multicultural family…So for foreign residents to use civil services for permission of stay and employment, they have gone through an inconvenience of having to visit immigration offices and employment centers separately.”

He also added, “As the multicultural immigrant plus center offers a variety of government services in a single place and from the standpoint of those who demand such services, it will improve the level of convenience for foreign residents and help them to become smoothly adjusted to Korean society.”

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony held on the 8th featured a tape cutting followed by a conference with multicultural immigrants with An Heejung, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, Lee Nak-yon, Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Safety, Minister of Justice, Minister of Employment and Labor, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, etc. in attendance.