The Shining Cooperation of Gangdong-gu That Rescued a Resident Trapped Abroad

Lee Su-hee, Mayor of Gangdong District

Case of Active Rescue of Residents in Crisis through Cooperation System among Local Government, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, and Medical Institutions

Providing systematic and proactive one-stop welfare services to residents in crisis through active collaboration

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Recently, an event that seemed like something out of a movie happened in reality.

Mr. A, a man in his 60s who became an undocumented immigrant unintentionally after being a victim of visa fraud in China, suddenly collapsed due to a stroke in May last year, showing symptoms such as headache, inability to communicate verbally, and cognitive impairment, and was transported to a hospital. Mr. A, who was residing in Qingdao, wanted to enter Korea for treatment, but due to China’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, entry was impossible, and he had no family to ask for help.

Accordingly, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao, considering that Mr. A’s final domestic residence address was Gangdong-gu, requested Gangdong-gu to assist with emergency domestic transfer, hospital admission, treatment, living expenses, and settlement support.

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Suhee Lee) decided to provide humanitarian protection support, considering that Mr. A had no relatives and was economically indigent, and through active cooperation with the Consulate General over a long period of six months, promoted Mr. A’s domestic transfer and medical support.

The district established a cooperative system with the Consulate General and medical institutions, held several integrated case meetings, and after emergency transfer to Korea, supported medical services. At the same time, Mr. A was immediately selected as a basic livelihood security recipient to receive additional welfare services through linkage with private resources such as medical and housing expenses. Currently, Mr. A is receiving active treatment at the hospital, recovering, and is expected to settle in Gangdong-gu and start a new life.

Mayor Suhee Lee of Gangdong-gu stated, “Consular assistance to protect our residents is a matter of course,” and added, “We will further strengthen the social safety net with meticulous welfare that cares for overseas nationals so that they can be guaranteed safety even when in crisis situations abroad.”