According to the foreign resident census conducted in May 2009, the number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province was 324,000 , up 16 percent compared with 2008. This number accounts for 2.9 percent of the registered population. Indeed, foreign residents are becoming our true neighbors.

The number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province accounts for 29 percent of the total of 1.107 million foreign residents in Korea. In terms of the number of foreign residents in the area, Gyeonggi Province was second only to Seoul. At the same time, the number of foreign workers and foreigners who came to Korea through international marriages that require the assistance of administrative agencies and civic groups has reached 240,000 persons (Seoul: 200,000 persons). Gyeonggi Province is home to the greatest number of foreign residents who have truly become our neighbors.

Looking at the status of foreign residents, we can see that 205,239 (63.35%) are foreign workers; 44,760 (13.82%) have come here through an international marriage; 25,648 (7.92%) are children of foreign residents; and 48,317 (14.91%) belong to other categories.

By gender, 56% (181,636) of foreign residents are men and 44% (142,328) are women. Out of these, 68% of foreign workers are men, whereas 85% of migrants through international marriage were women.

The number of foreign residents in the Province was 39,682 persons in 1998, 214,727 persons in 2007, and 277,991 persons in 2008, showing a steady increase year on year. Over the last three years, there has been an average annual increase of 23%.

Foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province are from diverse backgrounds. Foreign residents from China, including ethnic Koreans, accounted for 57% (182,857 persons), followed by Vietnam 9% (28,550 persons), Philippines 6% (18,347 persons), and Thailand 5% (14,810 persons).

In terms of cities and counties within Gyeonggi Province, the City of Ansan was home to the highest number of foreign residents, with numbers reaching 41,785, followed by Suwon (30,139), and Hwaseong (24,914); 12 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province were home to more than 10,000 foreign residents, and in four cities and counties the foreign residents accounted for more than five percent of the registered population. The City of Pocheon ranked top in terms of the ratio of foreign residents to total population in the city, at 6.44% (10,291 foreign residents).


the source - http://english.gg.go.kr/ 

Your Health

If you are ill or hurt and need to see a doctor, go to the neighborhood clinic
or doctor’s office. Think about what kind of doctor you need to see and find
a doctor/clinic that specializes in that area. Don’t forget to bring your health
insurance card if you have one.

Health Insurance

All employees employed under the Employment Permit Program must have
health insurance. Once you have health insurance, you enjoy the same benefits
as Koreans. The signup procedure is handled by your employer. The employer
pays 50% of the preminum and you pay the other 50%. If you show your health
insurance card at the hospital, the health insurance fund pays a portion (60%
on average) of the cost while you pay the rest. You can receive basic medical
support even if you are not properly registered.

▶ Health Insurance Benefits Do Not Apply If
Your hospital bills are covereed by your auto insurance or industrial accident
insurance; your employer pays the bills because you are hurt in an accident
while working; or you are a victim of an illegal (criminal) act and the offender
pays for the damages.

▶ If You Are a Foreigner and Do Not Have Health Insurance
If you are a foreign employee and do not have health insurance, you can use
a program that helps you pay your hospital bills if you pay a certain amount of
membership fee. To join the program, visit the nearest Foreign Worker Help
Desk office with 5,000 won signup fee, 6,000 won first month fee, two photos
and a copy of your passport. For private clinics, you pay 30 – 40% of the costs
while for general hospitals, you pay 40 - 50% of the costs.

Hospitals & Clinics

Medical facilities are divided into private clincs run by individual doctors and
general hospitals that provide medical services across a variety of specialties.
Private clinics where a small number of specialists provide medical services in
their areas of specialty, such as pediatrics, internal medicine or orthopedics, are
relatively easy to find in your neighborhood and offer easy access. On the other
hand, if you plan to see a doctor at a general hospital, it is best to make an
appointment beforehand as they can be quite crowded.
In order to provide convenient medical services, Gyeonggi Province has
designated what is called 24 Hour Foreigner Medical Centers and provides
budget assistance. The centers operate patient clinics for foreigners during the
daytime, and medical staff who speak foreign languages are on stand by in the
emergency centers at nighttime.

▶ Specialties



Herb Clinics
Health Centers and Free Clinics
Use oriental medicine for treatment. Prepare medication using tradiotnal
methods. They also use acupuncture and moxa cautery for treatment. A few
diseases including common cold are covered by health insurance.
• Acupuncture : Treat by stimulating specific points on the body using needlesharp
objects.
• Moxa cautery : Treat by applying heat to the diseased areas using mugwort
and other herbs.
• Cupping : Applies pressure to the diseased areas using certain cup-like tools
to remove unhealthy blood and facilitate blood circulation.
• Herbal medicine : Made by boiling a variety of medicinal herbs.


Health Centers and Free Clinics

These are government-run medical facilities and offer medical services for
basic diseases at low costs. They provide basic health checkups, a variety
of vaccinations and basic medicines. If you are pregnant, sign up at a health
center before 4 months into pregnancy to a variety of free medical services,
including regular checkups and iron supplements. Vaccinations for children are
also free.
In the areas with high concentrations of foreign resident population, there are
many free clinics where voluntary medical professionals work for free. Make
sure you know where the nearest free clinic is located in preparation for an
emergency.

Pharmacies

You need your doctor’s prescription to purchase medicine at a pharmacy.
You can buy medicine for common, simple symptoms, such as a headache or
indigestion, without a doctor's prescription.

▶ Emergency Medicines
In order to be able to respond quickly when you suddenly become ill or get
hurt, you must have an emergency medical kit at home. The following is a list
of basic medical items that must be included in your emergency medical kit in
case an unexpected emergency situation arises
• Fever reducer : To take when you run a fever.
• Painkiller : To take to relieve pain.
• Digestant (indigestion medicine) : To stimulate digestion when you have a
stomach ache.
• Diarreha medicine : To stop diarreah.
• Eye drops : To put in your eyes when your eyes are tired or you have an eye disease.
• Disinfectant : To apply to lacerations to prevent infection.
• Vaseline : To apply to light burns.
• Ant-itch liquid : To apply to insect bites, itchy spots, aczema and prickly heat rashes.
• Disinfecting band-aid : To apply to the wound for protection.
• Emergency medical kit : Includes emergency items, including gauze, cotton, a pari
of scissors, thermometer, disinfecting band-aids and
bandages. The price is between 20,000 and 40,000 won.


Medical Assistance for Foreign Workers

For low-income foreign workers, we recommendthat you go to one of the six
hospitals operated by the government-sponsored Gyeonggi Provincial Medical
Center. They provide free medical consultations for foreign workers who are not
being protected by the established system and a financial assistance of up to 5
million won for hospitalizations and surgeries.

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Hospitals (www.medical.or.kr)


You can also save your medical expenses by using a private volunteer
organization. They provide a financial assistance of up to 5 million won
per person to cover the first time consultation, surgery and emergency
consultations. There are regular clinics in Anyang, Ansan and Shiheung, and
they also run free mobile clinics.
The Kyonggi-do (Gyeonggi) Medical Association
(Address: YoungHwa-dong; phone: 031-255-1397; Internet: www.kgkma.com)
The Korea Immigration Health Association (Foundation)
(Address: SongWol-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul; phone: 02-3147-0516;
Internet: www.mumk.org)

※ You can also call the Emergency Medical Information Center at “1339”
(no prefix). If you need interpretation assistance, call 1588-5644 (BBB
Interpretation Service).

24 Hour Foreigner Medical Center Hospitals

• Aju University Hospital (Woncheon-dong, Suwon)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-210-4311~2
– Emergency & nighttime hours : 031-219-7700 & 7770
• Catholic University Uijeongbu Seongmo Hospital
(GumO-dong, Uijeongbu)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-820-3636
– Emergency & nighttime hours: 011-9931-3435; 031-820-3300

Foreigner Free Clinics

▶ Gyeonggi



▶ Seoul


▶ When you burned yourself
If the burning is severe and the burned area is wide, you must seek professional
treatment. First, cover the burned area with a piece of disinfected gauze, check
the person’s breathing and quickly move him/her to a hospital. If it is not serious,
it is recommended that you hold the burned area under cold running water for
20 minutes or longer. Never rub the burned area and never try to puncture the
blisters. Apply Vaseline or anti-biotic ointment to the burned area.

▶ In case of an electric shock
Shut down the power immediately. If that is not possible, put on an outfit made
with conducting materials and separate the victim from the source of the shock
using a non-conducting tool (rubber gloves, etc.). After the victim is separated,
check to see if he/she is still breathing and feel the pulse. If the victim is not
breathing, perform a CPR; and if you cannot feel the pulse, perform a CPR and
a heart massage. As an electric shock may cause an internal burn injury, move
the victim immediately to the emergency room to seek medical treatment even if
he/she is conscious.

▶ When you have a bone fracture
If the fractured area looks out of shape or you can see the bone through a
break in the skin, disinfect and bandage the injured area and call for help. Keep
the injured area as still as possible and put a rolled-up blanket or a pillow under
the leg to keep it higher than the heart (in case the fracture is in the leg). If it is
a simple sprain, use the flexible bandage to wrap the injured area widely, keep
still and wait until the swelling subsides. Apply a bag of ice to relieve pain.

▶ When a finger(s) is cut off
It is possible to saw it back to its place so it is critically important to perform first
aid in a prompt manner. Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and
hold the hand up (higher than the heart). Wrap the cut-off finger(s) in a clean
piece of gauze and place it in a bag of ice to take it to the hospital. Try not to
touch the wounded area.

Disease Management

▶ Contagious Disease Management
The contagious diseases listed below are managed by the government and
you can get free consultations, medicine and treatment at the government-run
health centers. If you have a sexually transmitted disease or AIDS, you can get
treatment without keeping your identity confidential. Since contagious diseases
can affect other people around you, go to a health center and seek medical help
immediately if you suspect symptoms.

▶ Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
These diseases are caused by bacterias and viruses and transmitted mostly
through a sexual intercourse with a carrier. They can be transmitted through
fingers or the mouth and when a mother gives birth to a baby. The safest way to
prevent the contraction is using condoms. If you find suspicious symptoms after
having a sexual intercourse, go to see a doctor (urologist for men and OBGY
specialist for women) immediately to seek diagnosis and treatment. You cannot
have sexual intercourse until the treatment is complete.

▶ Tuberculosis (TB)
When people with TB disease of the lungs or throat cough or sneeze, they can
put TB germs into the air. Then other people who breathe in the air containing
these germs can become infected. Generally, after the first two weeks of
drug therapy, most TB patients become non-infectious and therefore an early
detection and treatment is critically important. When first infected with the TB
germ, people usually do not feel sick or have any symptoms and the symptoms,
such as coughing, gradually begin to appear. Other symptoms include fever,
sweating and loss of weight.

▶ AIDS
AIDS is a disease transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion
and/or shavers. After contraction, the viruses remain dormant from six months
up to eight years. The major symptoms include a sudden loss of weight, profuse
sweating under both arms, fever, swelling in the neck and the armpits, red or
white spots in the mouth and unexplained diarreah. The patients lose immunity
against diseases and eventually life. Since there is no cure for AIDS now,
caution is the only and best way.

▶ Hepatitis
Hepatitis causes infection in the liver cells. The risk of being infected is high if
you share food, toothbrush and/or towels with the people with the dieases. It
can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Adaptation Assistance for Multi-Culture Families

Assistance for the Multi-Culture Family
Home Visitation Education Project

Instructors visit the homes of multi-culture families who find it difficult to attend group
training sessions for reasons including a lack of economic resources and physical
accessibility to provide customized Korean language education and child care training.
▶ Home Visitation Korean Language Education Service for
Multi-Culture Families : Twice weekly per family
① Koren language education service ② Consultation service
③ Joint assistance service
▶ Child Care Assistance for Multi-Culture Familieis : Twice weekly
per home
① Consultation & information service ② Education in child rearding
③ Education in living & culture ④ Child care assistance
▶ Pregnancy & Childbirth Assistance
① Eligible for assistance from 8 month into pregnancy
② May be eligible after childbirth

Customized Job Seeking Assistance

We help foreign residents receive training and find jobs in areas appropriate for
Korean-speaking multi-culture families for financial independence. The employment
training program will be offered to around 300 people in the areas of Korean
cooking, skin care, storytelling and English reading instruction.

Facilities to Provide Protection for
Women Immigrants by Marriage

Women immigrants are admitted to these protective facilities if they wish to do so after
going through basic consultation through Women’s Emergency Hotline (1366), Women
Immigrant Hotline (1577-1366), domestic violence help desks, immigrant centers, police
stations and other welfare facilities. Victims admitted for a long term are allowed to stay
up to 2 years getting help. These facilities are for the victims of domestic violence. The
goal is to create a peaceful society and a mutually respectful community regardless of
national origin based on the spirits of protecting women immigrant’s human rights and
promoting their rights.

Enhanced Information Availability, Consultation
Service and Promotion for Multi-Culture Families

In order to provide immigrants by marriage with legal advice, information on hospitals
and clinics, help desks, their home countries and other important information needed
for smooth transition, we issue 40,000 newsletters in Korean, English, Chinese and
Vietnamese. We also strongly recommend that they use emergency hotlines and
help desks when they are in trouble.
▶ Immigrant Women Emergency Hotline : 1577-1366, 1366
▶ Foreign Worker Interpretation Support Center : 1644-0644
▶ General Foreigner Information Center : 1345(17 languages including Chinese)

Multi-Culture Family Assistance Centers

For the purpose of help multi-culture families enjoy stable family life and adapt to a
new environment through a comprehensive service, we opened four Multi-Culture
Family Assistance Centers in 2007 and then added 5 more in 2008 and 1 more in
2009. The centers are instrumental in providing comprehensive family asisstance,
including classes to help better understand diverse cultures.
▶ Assistance Program : Korean language education, understanding multi-culture
society, family education, family consultation, employment
and new business assistance, interpretation/translation
service, and self-help groups

▶ Multi-Culture Assistance Centers

▶ Locations of Korean Language Courses for Multi-Culture Families

Building Infrastructures for a Multi-Culture Society

Assistance Policy Directions

As the number of foreign residents including foreign workers and immigrants by
marriage rises at an unprecedented rate, assisting their adaptation to Korean
society was adopted as the policy priority. Toward that end, policy frameworks
for human rights protection, improvement of treatment and regulatory
restructuring were put in place to implement assistance measures through
extending assistance in matters relating settling in, finding employment and
multi-culture family affairs. In 2008, Gyeonggi has heavily invested in building
infrastructures for a multi-culture society, promoting the rights of foreign workers
and helping immigrants by marriage adapt to Korean society in order to build a
multi-culture community through enhancing the standards of living for foreign
residents and will maintain its assistance policies.


Adoption of a Bylaw to Assist Foreign Residents
in Gyeonggi

The Bylaw provides for the framework for foreign resident policies and the
basic directions for such policies in order to ensure proper treatment for
foreign residents in the Province and create an environment in which Korean
and foreign residents understand and mutually respect their respective
cultures to help foreign residents to realize their potential to the fullest as
sound contributors to our society towards the goal of social integration and
regional development. Key provisions prepared to provide a clear basis for
assisting foreign residents include: the establishment of a foreign Gyeonggi
resident assistance committee; the extension of support for foreign resident
support organizations; the celebration of the Global Citizen’s Day; presenting
commendations and honorary provincial resident IDs to foreign residents
who make great contributions; and providing a legal basis for supporting the
International Immigration Policy Institute.


Establishiment of the Immigration Policy Institute under
the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

On November 19, 2007, the Ministry of Justice of Korea, IOM and Gyeonggi
signed an MOU for the establishment of the Immigration Policy Institute (IPI).
The institute is slated to open in JangHang-dong, Goyang, Gyeonggi, in 2009. In
2008, the Province signed an agreement to establish the institute, implemented
several pilot projects in the key areas of research and education, and hosted the
Immigration Management Policy Exchange Seminar (June 27), an international
symposium concerning the establishment of the Institute (November 25 & 26)
and an training program on immigration management (December 9 – 11).



A Training Course for Korean Language Teachers
(Volunteers)

This is a course designed to train teachers specializing in Korean language
education through providing systematic training for regular Korean language
instructors. The purpose is to provide language support for foreign residents
in Gyeonggi. Foreign residents who speak Korean are also eligible to enroll.
The curriculum consists of: Korean language instructions, understanding multiculture
and practice classes. The course lasts 4 weeks and offers 3 four-hour
classes a week. This is a free course.


Adding More Foreign Resident Welfare Centers

Gyeonggi is funding the project to help foreign residents settle and protect
their rights. Currently four of such centers (in Suwon, NamYangJu, Shiheung
and Ansan, respectively) are in operation and one is under construction in
Hwaseong with more expected to follow. The Centers offer a resting space,
legal advice, medical service, cultural events and education in the Korean
language and repatriation. Foreign residents have free access to the fitness
room, flea markets and food trial events designed to give them a chance to
mingle with Koreans.

The Foreign Worker Welfare Center in NamYangJu, The Foreign Resident Center in Ansan, The Foreign Resident Welfare Center in Hwaseong




Designation of the Global Citizens’ Day

Under the Foreign Resident Assistance Bylawy, Gyeonggi designated May 20
as the Global Citizens’ Day and the week starting from the day as the Multi-
Culture Week. On May 20, 2008, the Province held a ceremony to celebrate
the first Global Citizens’ Day, and hosted the “Travel the World with Gyeonggi”
Festival in the Hwarang Resort, Ansan, on May 25. The event was attended
by many ambassadors from different countries and government officials from
key government agencies. They join in the announcement of the Multi-Culture
Declaration and the signing of the MOU to promote human rights.


▶ 2008 Global Citizens’ Day Events




Publication of “A Living Guide for

Foreign Residents”The purpose of the publication is to inform foreign residents of the basic
facts necessary for a life in Korea and help them settle. The booklet includes
information on the Gyeonggi Province, entering and staying in Korea, Korean
customs, day-to-day living, job seeking activities and assistance provided for
multi-culture families. The booklet became available in English and Chinese
in 2007 and the Korean and Chinese versions were added in 2008. The
Vietnamese and Filipino versions are expected to follow soon.


Hosting Events for Model Foreign
Residents and Multi-Culture Families

In 2007, the Province invited 25 family members of 13 model foreign workers
of 12 different nationalities to a family event – first of its kind in Korea - to
provide the participants with the opportunities for family reunions and cultural
experiences and raise public awareness. At the second family event held in
2008, 50 family members of 24 foreign workers of 14 different nationalities,
including China, Vietnam and Indonesia, and 17 family members of 5
immigrants by marriage were invited. A total of 96 people participated in a host
of events from September 4 through 7. On the first day, the family members
brought from their respective countries were reunited with their daughters and
attended the welcome dinner. The next day, the participants visited the work
sites and experienced Korean traditional culture. On the third and last day, they
toured the 63 Building in Yoido, Seoul, in the morning, and visited the Korean
President’s offician residence, Cheongwadae, to attend the welcoming event
hosted by the first lady in the afternoon. They left Korea the following day. This
annual event was designed to help foreign residents and multi-culture families
successfully adapt to Korean society and feel connected to the rest of the
community.

Seoul, the capital of Korea, is surrounded by Gyeonggi Province. The Seoul-Gyeonggi metropolitan area is home to 24 million people, accounting for approximately half of the total population of South Korea. Gyeonggi Province itself had a population exceeding 11 million people in 2007, the vast majority of which live in urban areas. The population of Gyeonggi Province makes it the largest local self-governing body in Korea.


Population by City and Country

Locality	Total Population	Foreign Residents
Gyeonggi Province	11,055,658	194,989
Suwon City	1,069,496	14,026
Seongnam City	954,780	10,267
Goyang City	918,069	8,920
Bucheon City	860,811	10,840
Anyang City	623,451	4,518
Ansan City	703,214	24,913
Yongin City	794,614	11,872
Uijeongbu City	419,077	2,623
Namyangju City	489,246	4,533
Pyeongtaek City	401,119	6,626
Gwangmyeong City	312,730	2,690
Siheung City	390,722	13,331
Gunpo City	274,624	3,632
Hwaseong City	355,271	19,616
Paju City	302,734	7,319
Icheon City	195,469	2,554
Guri City	195,969	1,192
Gimpo City	206,180	9,996
Pocheon City	157,833	7,519
Gwangju City	228,055	7,848
Anseong City	162,580	3,297
Hanam City	135,990	1,549
Uiwang City	134,503	1,105
Yangju City	178,861	7,331
Osan City	144,379	2,294
Yeoju County	106,729	1,271
Yangpyeong County	87,714	404
Dongducheon City	88,388	1,821
Gwacheon City	61,888	316
Gapyeong County	55,502	443
Yeoncheon County	45,660	323

(Source: Gyeonggi Province Statistics 2007)



the source - http://english.gg.go.kr/renewal/about/gyeonggi/population.htm