Gyeonggi Province Introduces Real-Time Multilingual AI Chatbot Service
Digital Administrative Innovation for 840,000 Migrants: Generative AI Portal in the Works
All Dispersed Migrant Policies and Support Information Integrated in One Place... Launch Scheduled for May
An artificial intelligence-based "Migrant Portal" is being launched to assist foreign migrants who feel lost because they do not know how to extend their stay, or how to access essential information such as nearby hospitals or educational resources.
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 21st that it will establish the "Migrant Portal" this year, which will allow users to obtain the information they need via an AI chatbot without having to visit administrative offices in person.
The core feature of the portal is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. By training on frequently asked questions from migrants regarding residency status, labor, and daily life, the system will enable real-time Q&A. Instead of simple keyword searches, the chatbot will understand the intent behind questions and provide tailored answers, making it easier for migrants unfamiliar with administrative terminology or systems to access information.
Real-time multilingual services powered by Google Translate will be applied throughout the portal. The portal will be built as a responsive web platform, accessible from various devices such as PCs and smartphones, so users can access the services directly via the web without installing a separate app.
A community feature will also be established to allow migrants to share information about daily life. By providing spaces organized by nationality and region, users can exchange experiences about healthcare, educational information, and local events. Location-based services will also be included to guide users to hospitals, educational institutions, and support programs based on their area of residence.
Information on foreigner policies and support projects, which are scattered across government ministries, local governments, and related agencies, will be integrated through the portal. By linking information from migrant support centers in cities and counties, as well as counseling cases and civil complaint processing, migrants will be able to find all the necessary information in one place.
Gyeonggi Province has the largest population of foreign residents in the country. As of November 2024, 840,000 out of the 2.58 million immigrants nationwide reside in Gyeonggi Province, accounting for approximately 32.7% of the total. As the proportion of migrants increases across industrial sites and communities, there is a growing need for policy responses in all areas of daily life, including safety, labor, healthcare, housing, and education.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon identified the issue of migrant workers as a top priority along with industrial safety during a press briefing following the Hwaseong factory fire recovery in June 2024. Governor Kim has emphasized the need for policies addressing safety, healthcare, housing, and education for migrant workers.
Based on this awareness, the province established the nation's first "Immigrant Society Bureau" in July 2024 and set up an administrative system dedicated to migrant policies. The Migrant Portal is a representative digital policy initiative launched after the establishment of the Immigrant Society Bureau, expanding the field-based migrant support system into the online sphere. The portal service is scheduled to officially launch in May.
Yoon Hyeonok, Director of Immigrant Society Policy at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The Migrant Portal will serve as a foundation where all policies and support information for migrants in the province can be accessed in one place," adding, "We will lower language and information barriers so that these policies can be truly experienced in daily life."
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