My Seoul: mobile app for foreigners

Seoul Global Center announced* Seoul city's new free mobile app for foreign residents and entrepreneurs on Android and Apple Store.

It's still young (1000-5000 downloads on GooglePlay), but already sexier than the Dasan 120 app launched two years ago (see "Get the Dasan 120 mobile app!")... which basically never got updated ever since. But Dasan 120 remains a very convenient free hotline, and this new app naturally speed dials you there anytime you need help.

On this first version of "My Seoul", practical informations for expats are already available in 5 languages (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese - 3 more will follow: Cambodian, Tagalog and Mongolian), for the SGC's usual 'verticals' (education, visas, job info, counseling...). Maybe in further versions dynamic links and functions will be added - or for instance subway maps or links to online databases could help in the 'public transportation' chapter. Interactive / community solutions are included in the main menu, so let's see how they grow. Right now, the killer app could be the free international calls goodie.

I haven't tried everything yet, but please, dear fellow Seoulites, give it a shot: the more people try the application and give their feedback, the better. As usual, return on experience is key, and you could help hundreds of thousands of users.

My Seoul, the main menu: Seoul Life, Notice, Korean Edu, Chatting, Intl Call, Phone Book, 120 Dasan, Calc. pay, Invite Friend, ...

My Seoul, the Seoul Life menu looks definitely less dynamic, but all basic answers are available in all the main Seoul Globla Center verticals

And don't forget the other free Seoul apps: iTourSeoul (Seoul Metropolitan Government), Seoul Walking Tours (Korea Tourism Organization)...


Seoul Village 2013
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* see "Smartphone App for Expats ‘My Seoul’"

Smart Cities - Seoul: a case study (ITU)

Seoul website posted today* about a UN report on Smart City Seoul, actually a case study published last February by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the UN agency in charge of ICT standardization, and co-written by Jong-Sung Hwang (Assistant Mayor for IT, Seoul Metropolitan Government) and Young Han Choe (ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau).

• "Smart Cities - Seoul: a case study" (ITU - February 2013):

In the perspective of Seoul Smart City 2015, that's an interesting overview and update at all levels: policies, organizations, infrastructures, plaftorms, applications, user interfaces and usages... even private initiatives, like the virtual store that made a splash a couple of years ago (see "HomePlus virtual stores in Seoul subway : from your smartphone to Cannes festival screens"). Random examples:

u-Seoul Net - The backbone has been extended to 192 km to enable further integration and convergence across the capital. At the other end of the network, Seoul can leverage a world class broadband coverage (4G, wifi, FTTH, even in subways), but it keeps investing in free wifi hotspots (eg in public areas and parks), and even in device donations to democratize usages.

Smart Work Centers: 10 "u-Work Center" allow civil servants to work closer to home, reduce stress, and carbon footprints... without going all the way to working from home.



Yeyak, the one-stop, integrated reservation system for all public services: yeyak.seoul.go.kr/english/main.web. NB: databases not yet operational**. Seoulites already enjoy great services for free (eg 120 Dasan Center, Seoul Global Center, real time info on traffic and public transports...), and a new mobile app specially designed for foreigners will be launched next month. A leader in e-government, Seoul plans to disclose 100 databases to the public by the end of 2013 (150 by the end of next year).

Yes, there's the security issue any CCTV-laden smart city faces, but this "Big Brother" is rather here to help.

Overall, an interesting read, not too technical for an ITU paper (I remember eating a few of those back in the nineties, when I worked on 3G and beyond). Not all dimensions are covered, and I think it could have been interesting to add something about broadband penetration and usages in the capital. The number of LTE subscribers recently passed the 20 M mark in Korea, where the economy of the "last mile" is very competitive for operators compared to their European counterparts.

... reminds me I've got to finish my latest update on the "ubiquitous" but not yet "all over the place" cities of Songdo and the DMC.

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* "'스마트 도시 서울', UN이 특집 보고서로 다뤄"
** Seoul's new 3D spatial information system (3dgis.seoul.go.kr) also needs some debugging

Yeouido Global Business Support Center

It's now official: Seoul Global Center will open YGBSC on December 16th. Here's the official announcement:

New Global Business Support Center Opening in Yeouido

Seoul Global Center is opening 'Yeouido Global Business Support Center' on December 16 to assist foreign entrepreneurs through free business counseling and research. It is also offering free office space, millions of KRW worth, at the YGBSC for qualified entrepreneurs seeking to establish their business in Seoul. YGBSC's mission is to help your difficulties in doing business in Seoul and to provide a number of mentoring sessions of experienced consultants in tax, finance, patent, etc. to take you forward. Also 3 dedicated full time staffs and 3 Gu officers will be there for not only 5 selected entrepreneurs also any other business people to encourage and motivate. YGBSC is ready for those who have lack of information due to language barriers and face difficulties with the high cost of offices as well as Korean's uncertainty about doing business with foreign entrepreneurs.

Here you can find more specific services YGBSC offers.

Comprehensive consultation and support
- General counseling on business opportunities in Seoul
- Market research services on specific business topics based in demand
- Provide business information regarding Foreign Direct Investment Laws & others
- Provide information to aid settlement by addressing daily living concerns regarding housing, medical services, transportation, etc.
- Video consultations with specialists on daily living concerns
Business researching services & partner searching
- General research of information on establishing new business and investing
- Expert research on specified fields or statistics related area
- Partner searching service
Business networking in Seoul
- provides opportunities to network and build relationship among the foreign business people and Korean business individuals and groups

Incubation Office Service
- Location: Yeouido Global Business Support Center (in-house)
- Duration of lease: Up to six months (renewable lease depending on evaluation)
- Equipment provided free of charge: Office equipment including computer, internet, etc & 1:1 Business consulting

For more information about YGBSC, visit http://global.seoul.go.kr, or contact Youhwa Jang at 02-2075-4112, sgcsmbiz@gmail.com.


Seoul Village 2011
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Get the Dasan 120 mobile app!

If you don't know Dasan Call Center yet you really miss something: you just have to dial 120 (then 9 for English - also available in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian) to enjoy all the free hotlines managed under the Seoul Global Center umbrella. A question about tourism, visa, immigration, drivers license, tax...? A complaint or a suggestion? Need a translator for your taxi? That's the place.

Reminder: SGC also operates 7 Seoul Global Village Centers to serve foreign communities at the local level, and provides free services to Foreign entrepreneurs (see "Invest in Seoul - Seoul is already investing in you!"). And it's opening a second business support center after the COEX SGBSC, in Yeouido this time.

Now the service is available on the go: Dasan 120 developped a smartphone application for Android Market and Apple App Store. To download it, look for Dasan Call or 다산콜 or 120다산콜센터.

The app may not be perfect (a few glitches need to be fixed), but it just started a few days ago. Only a hundred people have downloaded it, and SGC has an history of highly efficient collaborative dynamics. I'm pretty sure I will use it massively because it covers everything you need on a daily basis with a dong level of precision. And don't forget the other official apps, such as iTourSeoul (VisitSeoul.net) or VisitKorea (KNTO).

Dasan 120: 120.seoul.go.kr
Seoul Global Center : global.seoul.go.kr

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FC Seoul Expats Day

A perfect weather, a friendly atmosphere, a lively game with five goals... total success for this second edition of the FC Seoul's Expats Day !

Thousands of expats were invited by the club, Seoul Global Center, and 10 Magazine for an afternoon of animation and a K-League clash between FC Seoul and Daejeon Citizens at the Seoul World Cup Stadium (a very special place for me : I attended its inaugural game, the 2002 FIFA World Cup opener - a stunning but well deserved victory of Senegal over France -, or the last confrontation between ROK and PRK) :

Gathering all communities for a festive moment, there's no better way of promoting the club, the league, and the game. The club hosted the event wonderfully, from the organizers backstage to the fans in the tribunes to the players on the field.

Beyond Seoul's own trio of Expats Dejan Damjanovic (three goals for the Montenegrin), Adilson (impressive coverage by the Brazilian), and Mauricio Molina (even in a mediocre day, the Columbian managed to score the final goal), the whole team delivered a very convincing game, leveraging on a strong defense, a swift midfield, and diversified attacks. Daejeon players too felt in a giving mood, offering a few gifts, starting only a few minutes after the kick off with an assist to Damjanovic for his first goal. Park Sung-ho could have played a bit faster to bring more danger, but the Citizens never gave up. Even a little tension at the end of the game didn't spoil the mood : the referee promptly exposed a few cards matching his yellow jersey, and after all, the game itself was not supposed to be friendly.

4-1. This glorious day brings FC Seoul closer to the play-offs (preferably with a ticket for next AFC Champions League - and another K-League title ?), and to a more than ever international audience.

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PS : thanks to Korea4Expats for the tickets !

Attractiveness of Seoul - participate to the survey

What makes Seoul so attractive ? You have the answer.

Until August 24, you can participate to a special survey for Seoul Metropolitan Government / Seoul Global Center :





My own picks are not very original :
- Sejongno and its Gwanghwamun-Bukhansan panorama (with the cultural venues around)
- Street food (particularly in the city's lively markets)
- Seoul mountains (its lungs and precious natural assets)

I had to make a tough choice, but they somehow follow three key verticals of this miserable blog : cityscape, food, and environment.

Have your say !

Seoul Village 2011
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Seoul Global Business Support Center online

Seoul Global Center's arm for Foreign entrepreneurs, the Seoul Global Business Support Center just opened a new ning site and twitter account.

Reminder : SGBSC provides any foreigner who seeks to open a business in Seoul with extensive services free of charge, which include integrated business and living consulting and support and business education seminars. Also : in-house incubation offices to selected small and medium foreign businesses.

To join the community :
on ning : seoulglobalbusinesssupportcenter.ning.com
on Twitter : @sgbsc

Visit Seoul Global Business Support Center

And don't forget the 2011 Seoul Global Business Networking Event !

(ADDENDUM 20110614) I just created a Business-Friendly Seoul Think Tank on SGBSC to share suggestions and discussions about how to boost Seoul's attractiveness. Join, chime in, and speak up your mind !

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Business Start Up School - Seoul Global Center

There is still time for future expat entrepreneurs in Seoul to register for Business Start Up School's June session.

It's free, it starts on June 20th, a few days after SGBSC - KBC Seoul Global Business Networking Event (June 17), and ends on July 1st.

The program has been beefed up (among instructors: KOTRA, Seoul Development Institute, Small and Medium Business - Administration, SBA Business Support Center, Korea Development Institute...) and as we saw earlier, alumnis can apply for official credit guaranteees from Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Contact: Eva(Youngju) Seo
Phone: +82.2-2075-4139
Fax: +82.2-723-3206
Email: letsgoeva@sba.seoul.kr
Seoul Global Center : global.seoul.go.kr.

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Seoul Global Business Networking Event 2011

Last October, the first Seoul Global Business Networking Event drew crowds to Jongno-gu (see "SGBSC + KBC : small business & big party"). On June 17, Gangnam will be the spot to meet and to update each other for business networkers.

Speaking of which, the organizers themselves keep rocking pretty well :
- the Seoul Global Center prepares for September a second global business support center in Yeouido, after the first SGBSC (COEX - Gangnam) - and of course its future HQ for next year (see ""Global cluster building" in Seorin-dong"). Furthermore, certified alumnis of the SGC Business Start Up School (BSS) can now benefit from the Seoul City SME Promotion Fund to obtain official credit guaranteees from Seoul Metropolitan Government (ask SGC business services - SGBSC for further details).
- KBC is now claiming almost 1300 members, including a growing number of Europe- based people considering their first networking event.

What : Seoul Global Business Networking Event - "An Evening for International Entrepreneurship"Who : hosted by the SGBSC & KBC
. Seoul Global Business Support Center (SGBSC) : global.seoul.go.kr/bizsupport. Korea Business Central (KBC) : koreabusinesscentral.comWhen : June 17, 2011 from 6pm to 10pm
Where : The Be-Hive Gallery & Business Venue
(Cheongdam-dong 78-5, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-100 / 02-3446-3713 / artbehive.com)
More details, how to register : to be announced soon on (KBC's event page)

Seoul Village 2011


* SGC : global.seoul.go.kr

---
UPDATE 201105

Event logo (see above), and registration link : http://www.koreabusinesscentral.com/page/registration-form-for-the

2010 Seoul Town Meeting

A couple of weeks ago, OH Se-hoon was grilled by a JoongAng Daily reporter about previous Seoul Town Meetings, which didn't always give enough time for interactivity between city officials and international residents.

Kicked off by the Mayor himself, this edition was clearly a success : more time for Q&As, high ranking officials from all key departments with precise answers to all questions, and lively presentations by Hong Suk-ki (whose future report on Foreign communities should be a very interesting read - I hope it will be published in English as well) and Koo A-mi (confirming the city's ambitions in sustainable development - see all posts related to environment on Seoul Village). Under Alan Timblick's always careful watch, the show went just fine and on schedule, following a dense program but also a pleasant rythm.

I really appreciated the honesty of city officials : service and result oriented, never distant nor arrogant, never trying to dodge their responsibilities, frankly answering and acknowledging issues that can be improved, pledging to call back when they don't have the answer...

And that's the way Seoul works: the city wants to know what can be done to improve its global profile. A lot has already been achieved over the past few years, but more than ever, every citizen is invited to voice out suggestions or complaints 24/7/365 (as usual, Dasan 120 and the Seoul Global Center are the easiest entry point to get answers).

2010 Seoul Town Meeting program:
. Opening speech - Mayor OH Se-hoon
. Seoul Town Meeting updates - Alan Timblick
. Multiculturalism - presentations by Hong Suk-ki, Blaz Kriznik, and Tatiana Primakova
. Seoul's air quality - presentations by Koo A-mi, Nguyen Duc Luong
. Q&As

Seoul Village 2010

SGBSC + KBC : small business & big party

If anyone doubted about the vitality of Seoul's international small business ecosystem and the importance of addressing its specific needs, yesterday's networking event at Min's Club gave the ultimate proof : more than two hundred people buzzed under a delicious night (and next to delicious refreshments) before swarming across the old Insadong residence, trading cards and sharing projects.

"An Evening of New Traditions" was hosted by Seoul Global Business Support Center and Korea Business Central, themselves two booming start-ups : the Seoul Global Center COEX unit opened earlier this year, and Steven S. Bammel's founded his community only one year ago.

I was already impressed by the turnout at KBC's first networking event last June, but the SGBSC clearly brought another dimension (and not only for the shift from "All That Beer" to "all that champagne" !). Seoul Business Agency aims at two events per year, targetting an attendance even 3 times bigger next time. The venue ? The National Museum of Korea.

After all, small business is a national cause, and small businesses deserve a right to think big.

Seoul Village 2010

Seoul Global Business Support Center : global.seoul.go.kr/bizsupport
Korea Business Central : koreabusinesscentral.com

---

ADDENDUM 20101108 (video of the event, from KBC)

ICN : simplified immigration procedures for (some) foreigners

Welcome to Incheon International Airport : no queuing, no question asked, you just have your passport and fingerprints scanned by a machine and voila, you're in or out of Korea. This VIP concept has been provided to Korean citizens but not to foreigners, but that's about to change.

Not for everyone though : to qualify, you have to have enjoyed a permanent residency status for at least 3 years, but that can be lowered to 1 year if you have invested USD 2 M or more into the country.

The Ministry of Justice estimates at 1,300 the number of beneficiaries, but didn't give details about how the new measure will be implemented (ie will the lucky ones be notified or will they have to claim some document at their immigration office ?).

Yesterday, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced another kind of simplification for foreign residents as of next year : the possibility to opt for a 15% flat tax rate. Also : more tax incentives for each employee hired through FDI (KRW 10 M).

The relevant administrations shall be briefed soon regarding all those updates. Remember that as a foreign resident in Seoul, you only need to know one number for all questions regarding immigration, tax, and everyday issues : Dasan 120 for the Seoul Global Center.

Seoul Village 2010

KOTRA opens an Investment Consulting Center to boost FDI

Yonhap announced the opening of KOTRA's new Investment Consulting Center (ICC) in the agency's Seocho-gu headquarters*.

Following the Seoul Global Center model, the ICC provides a one-stop service (including consultations about tax, customs, videoconference links...) to foreign investors looking for opportunities, but for the whole country, in relationship with all regional and metropolitan agencies.

Korean economy is expected to grow around 6% this year thanks to a very strong first half and a weak Won, but Foreign Direct Investment remains a priority, and as we recently saw with the DMC, the emergence of competitive clusters provides even clearer opportunities for FDI. Internationalizing the Small and Medium Enterprise ecosystem will also help it grow beyond the sometimes overwhelming influence of local chaebols.

KOTRA's website (kotra.or.kr) will probably soon disclose more details about this very interesting new tool.


Seoul Village 2010

* Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) : 13 Heolleungno, Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-749. Tel +82.2.3460.7114. Fax +82.2.3460.7777

Business Start-up School - 3rd Session (September)

After the March-April 2010 and June 2010 editions, the Seoul Global Center Business Start-up School is back ! About the event :

Seoul Global Center Business Team welcomes expats to the 3rd session of our Business Start-up School. Together with a business counseling service, this program will offer expats in Seoul a chance to learn from helpful courses and network with colleagues, to make their business bigger and better. (※ The Business Start-up School is a free program run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government) General Information · Who: Future Entrepreneurs (International Residents in Seoul) · When: Monday, September 13, 2010 ~ Friday, October 1, 2010 · Where: Seoul Global Center - Seminar Room (5F, Press Center Bldg.) Course & Instructors Description · Basic course: 10 courses, 20 hours · Instructors: Nationals and International experts in the field of Foreign Direct Investment (KOTRA, Seoul Development Institute, Small and Medium Business- Administration, SBA Business Support Center, Korea Development Institute etc...) Selection · 20 students will be selected · Business Plan Reviewing - Candidates with business ideas that have a higher chance of success and show other established readiness (interest, knowledge, etc.) will be selected first - Successful candidates will demonstrate an established capacity to start a business (capital, experience, qualifications)

=> Download application form For more information and updates, contact 'Eva': 02-2075-4139 / letsgoeva@sba.seoul.kr More about Seoul Global Center services : - on their website (global.seoul.go.kr) - on Seoul Village (including this focus : "Invest in Seoul, Seoul is already investing in you !") Seoul Village 2010

Seoul Global Business Support Center

The Seoul Global Center recently opened its Seoul Global Business Support Center, a business gateway in a business hub (see "Find a name for SGC's new business center in COEX").

Beyond the COEX, a major exhibition / transport / trade / commercial center, Gangnam-gu boasts over 2,000 Foreign businesses, big and small. This new gateway, which also hosts 3 Foreign start-ups in an original incubation system, reaches for all Foreign businesspeople interested in Seoul, following the founding principles of the SGC : one-stop, free of charge services to help people enjoy a fuller life, but also to get their constant feedback on what could be done to improve business and daily life in the capital city.

Entrepreneurs can contact the center for free consultations, but also to get to know each other, share, suggest, create future opportunities.

Seoul Village 2010

Seoul Global Business Support Center :
How to get there : take the escalator up leading from Hall A on the first floor of the COEX to the second floor. The center is located at the east end of the Trade Mart (towards the east gate of COEX) on the 2nd floor of the COEX.

Business Hours : Monday to Friday 09:00~18:00
Contacts :
. Director of the Center - Tel: 02-6001-7243 tk277@sbs.seoul.kr
. Consultations in English - Tel: 02-6001-7242 youngmi@sba.seoul.kr
. Consultations in Chinese - Tel: 02-6001-7241 barammeri@sba.seoul.kr
. Consultations in Japanese - Tel: 02-6001-7240 jina0850@sba.seoul.kr
. Website : global.seoul.go.kr/bizsupport
. Seoul Global Center : global.seoul.go.kr

Business Start-Up School Program and other Seoul Global Center events

In the mood for starting your own business in Seoul ? You have until May the 20th to apply for the next Business Start-up training provided, free of charge, by the Seoul Global Center, always eager to stimulate the international business ecosystem in the capital city. In order to cope with its success (ie last edition in March, see "Business Start-Up Education Program - Seoul Global Center"), the program will welcome four times more trainees and feature new lectures from prestigious institutions. This new and improved edition combines 'Basic Course', 'In-Depth Course', and 'Field-Trip' courses depending on the 'Desired Business Type' selected in your application form, which you can download here. Period: June 14 (Mon.) ~ June 28 (Mon.) Time: about 3 hours everyday (from around 18:30) Also organized by the Seoul Global Center : - 2010 Information Fair : When ? May 8th and 9th, 2010 (Sat-Sun), 12:00-19:00 Where ? outdoors, between the Seoul Finance Center (Taepyeongno 1-ga, Jung-gu) and Cheonggyechon. Take City Hall Station exit 4 (Lines 1 & 2) or Gwanghwamun Station exit 5 (Line 5). About 40 organizations will provide a wide range of useful information to international residents : Global Village Centers, Public Service Organizations, International communities, Language schools, Medical Services, Sports / Beauty, News / Magazines, Settlement Support, Cultural Events, Travel, Transport Services, Finances / Communication, Housing / Residential Services... Also : cultural exchanges in connection with the 2010 World Festival / Friendship Fair. - 2nd Foreigner's Flea Market : When ? May 29 between 1 and 5 pm Where ? at the Seoul Folk Flea Market in Sinseol-dong, Dongdaemun-gu - take Sinseol-dong Station (Lines 1 & 2) exit 6, 9, or 10. Something for sale ? Expats can register as vendors (it's free of charge) on SGC's website. More about Seoul Global Center services : - on their website (global.seoul.go.kr) - on Seoul Village (including this focus : "Invest in Seoul, Seoul is already investing in you !") Seoul Village 2010 ADDENDUM 20100514 The program is now available on global.seoul.go.kr. Note that the session will eventually run from June 14 to July 3 (different packages of 4 to 19 courses). The application can now also be downloaded on SGC's website. For more information, contact 'Eva' (Tel: +82.2.2075.4139 - email: letsgoeva at sba.seoul.kr)

"Global cluster building" in Seorin-dong

Seoul Metropolitan Government provided more details about their ambitious "Global Cluster Building" :

- WHAT ? The "one-stop services for Seoul expats" concept becomes brick and mortar. Imagine a 14 story (+ 5 basements) building, and under the same roof : the Seoul Global Center and its vast array of services, the Seoul Immigration Service, a few foreign Chambers of Commerce, a medical center, a cultural area... you name it*.

- WHEN ? work will start early 2011 for an inauguration planned in June 2012.

- WHERE ? Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, next to Yeongpoong Building, and just meters away from Jonggak Station (Subway Line 1, exit #6). From this new location (right now, a 1,070 square-meter parking lot on Jongro), the Seoul Global Center will be less than 100 m away from the Korea National Tourism Association as the crow flies - humans will simply cross Cheonggyecheon at the small bridge of Gwanggyo. Note that nowadays, the trip from Taepyeongno (SGC headquarters) isn't that long either (hardly 300 m). On Cheonggyecheon and at the crossroads between Tapgol Park, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung, City hall and Deoksugung, the SGC is bound to welcome even more visitors.

While they were at it, SMG also delivered updates about their other brick and mortar projects for foreigners : following the DMC Ville (175 households in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu), Seoul will operate a second residence for foreigners in Seocho-gu (178 households, inauguration November or December 2010).

Seoul keeps upgrading its hardware and software for foreign visitors and residents at an impressive pace.

Seoul Village 2010

* come to think of it, you probably will be invited to actually give it a name (just like for the new Coex global business center) : 'Global Cluster Building' is only a tentative name.

Civil-service satisfaction keeps rising in Seoul

Seoul Metropolitan Government recently released the results of its survey "Satisfaction Level for Civil Services in 2009", exposing improvements in all areas, and a general level of satisfaction of 78.2% (+4 pts vs 2008) :

Not only are Seoul city servants working harder on citizen satisfaction : the population is much more aware of the considerable effort. Information on civil affairs, accessibility and convenience gained a lot over last year, and the new 365/24/7 "120 Dasan Call Center" services for foreigners (see SGC / SMG services) mirrors that trend within the international community.

Among the priorities spotted by SMG : services to women (44.2 in 2007, 52.8 in 2008, 53.9 in 2009). If satisfaction keeps improving, it remains low. The spectacular gains of 2008 were not reproduced because of the general economic slump, which left even bigger dents in female employment.

2010 being a municipal election year, expect more gains in awareness for next year's survey.

Seoul Village 2010

* "Seoul rated best in civil-service satisfaction for 3rd straight year" (20100322 Seoul Metropolitan Government)

Find a name for SGC's new business center at COEX

A brand new "Seoul Global Business Support Center" will be inaugurated next month in Gangnam (COEX*). International residents will be able to consult for daily life as well as business issues, like in the other "Seoul Global Village Centers" run by the Seoul Global Center across the capital (see links and addresses below**), but this one will strongly focus on business. Gangnam already hosts the Yeoksam Global Village Center in Yeoksam-dong.

"Seoul Global Business Support Center" is only a tentative name, and until March 26, everyone is invited to suggest a name. The winner will receive a gift certificate, see all details in the public naming contest form.

So good luck to you, and long life to this new center, which is bound to receive a lot of visitors, prolonging the city's fantastic efforts to serve its international residents.

Seoul Village 2010

* COEX 1st Floor, 159-1, Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
** More about SGC in "Invest in Seoul, Seoul is already investing in you". Reminder : as of today, Seoul Global Center's existing global village centers are :
- in GANGNAM-GU (YEOKSAM) : Yeoksam Global Village Center in 5F Yeoksam1 Residence Center, 829-20, Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
- in MAPO-GU (YEONNAM) : Yeonnam Global Village Center in 3rd floor, Suseong bld., 198-31 Dongkyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
- in SEOCHO-GU (SEORAE VILLAGE) : Seorae Global Village Center in 90-12 Banpo 4-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
- in SEONGBUK-GU : Seongbuk Global Village Center in 246, Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
- in YEONGDEUNGPO-GU : Yeongdeungpo Multicultural Village Center in 2nd floor, Standard Chartered First Bank Korea, 710-10, Daerim 3-Dong, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul.
- in YONGSAN-GU (ICHON-DONG) : Ichon Global Village Center in 304 Hangang Shopping Center, 300-27 Ichon 1-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-854
- in YONGSAN-GU (ITAEWON-HANNAM) : Itaewon-Hannam Global Village Center in 5F Hannam Bldg., 737-37 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-893.

Business Start-Up Education Program - Seoul Global Center

You are a Foreigner residing in Seoul and you want to set up a business in Korea ? The Seoul Global Center is launching a "Business Start-Up Education Program" for you. Free of charge... provided of course your application is selected (20 participants), and submitted on time (only a few days left !).

=> Download the application form.
=> Download the program (see also below)

The Basics course (first term - total 23 hours, see details below) will be held between March 22nd and April 1st, 2010 :
• Participants: Foreigners who reside in Seoul
• Participation Fee: Free of charge
• Application period: March 10 to March 19, 2010
• Application method: After filling out the application form, please send an e-mail (barammeri@sba.seoul.kr).
• Selection process: Submission of application and screening
• Location: SGC seminar room (5th Floor, Press Center)

And if you are not ready yet to set up your own business, remember that the SGC also provides a job marketplace on its website.

Seoul Village 2010


* Basics Course Program at a glance

March 22
18:30 ~ 19:30 Orientation Overview of the Business Start-up Education & Business services of SGC
19:30 ~ 21:30 Korean business culture Korean business culture
March 23
18:30 ~ 20:30 Evaluating business potential & finding business ideas Select business items and details
March 24
18:30 ~ 20:30 Establishment How to register a business
March 25
18:30 ~ 21:30 Business plan preparation Business plan preparation
March 27
13:00 ~ 15:00 Location & premises Business location / Location analysis
15:00 ~ 18:00 HR Hiring/ 4 kinds of insurance / Labor Standards Act/management
March 29
18:30 ~ 20:30 Legal requirements Business contracts
March 30
18:30 ~ 20:30 Tax & accounting VAT, income tax, corp. tax, acquisition tax
March 31
18:30 ~ 20:30 Obtaining finance Government's SME's support/preliminary expenses support/how to get help from the allied organizations
April 1
18:30 ~ 20:30 Licenses & permits Copyright and license/Intellectual property rights, different types of business requirements