Seoul Global Center

For those who don’t know, the Seoul Metro Gov’t created the “Seoul Help Center for Foreigners” a few years back. Yours truly was a volunteer for quite a number of months.  I pointed quite a few tourists in the right direction, answered telephones and tried to help others living in Seoul with some of the insider knowledge that i had picked up in my experience living in Seoul.  (also provided quite a few disgruntled teachers with information to take on their bosses in court.) 

We as foreigners needed an establishment like this.  The mission of the center also started encompassing the publishing of Events in Seoul, Jobs for Foreigners, as well as Investment Help for people with deep pockets.

To my knowledge, the center continued to exist and help those in need.  To my surprise last week, i read a newspaper report that talked about a new “Seoul Global Center.”

What was this center and how did it differ from the previous SHC? I had to find out, so a field trip was in order.  Off to the Press Center, 3rd floor. It’s right there next to the SFC (Seoul Finance Center downtown for all you that aren’t in the know.) 

And what did i see?

Beautifully designed…hard to find. Albeit, i went on the second day of operation–there were no signs in the Lobby indicating the center was on the 3rd floor. I accidentally went to the 4th floor because that’s where i thought it was located. Luckily, i bumped into someone with a working knowledge of English and she pointed me to the right direction. 

My main point of contention is that the Seoul Press Center is off the beaten path for a lot of people. In the past 6 years, i only knew about the building in the past 4 months.  Good luck to the tourists and locals finding it–there is a map on the site though that is good enough.

So, what is it? It’s an office space filled with representatives from Mobile Phone Carriers, Immigration Dept, Drivers License Agency, Banks, Living help, and business help for those like i said earlier–those “with deep pockets.”

Don’t look for a million answers–unless you fit into the “Deep Pockets” division. As an “English Teacher” or salaried “F-2 holder”, not many answers for us.

Immigration doesn’t handle F-2 Visas, just tourist visas and D-8 “Deep Pockets” Visas.  I went to the Driver’s License reps…They only appear to be able to take a current license and exchange it for a Korean license. Not the best option for those always traveling home or those with an expired license. My license expired in June, i asked how to go about getting one–i asked if they had a book or guide or something.  No help–they gave me a website of someone else to call.

The bank wasn’t much more help either. 

I’m not criticizing…yet. But, i worry about the motives behind this flashy new version of the SHC. Their heart is in the 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 lives easier.

Please go…express your concerns, ideas, and suggestions for improvements. Speak out Seoulites!~ Let your voice be heard so that our lives will improve.