- Living / Education
- Immigration Service
- Employment / Work
- Public Organizations
- Organization / Center
- Counseling/Education Institutions for Resident Foreigners
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(1) General Trash
Use 10L or 20L regulation bags (jongnyangje bags) for general waste. The bags may be purchased at supermarkets or convenience stores.
(2) Food WasteMake sure waste food material is dry and place into collection boxes dedicated for food waste disposal in your neighborhood.
(3) RecyclingRecyclable materials include paper, glass, styrofoam containers, cans, plastic and plastic bottles. These items should be placed in a clear plastic bag and put outside on collection day.
(4) Large-sized GarbageLarge-sized garbage that cannot be disposed in standard plastic garbage bags, such as furniture, desks or TVs, shall be reported to local community centers. Yellow stickers must be purchased and attached to these items before placing them in front of homes for pick-up.
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▶ Structure of Educational System
Korea's educational system consists of 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of middle school, 3 years of high school, and 4 years of college (or 2 years of community college). Elementary school and middle school education is compulsory and is offered for free.
▶ Educational ProgramEach year consists of two semesters. A month-long summer vacation follows the first semester, and the two month-long winter and year-end vacations follow the second semester and last until the next academic year starts. The first semester usually starts in late February or early March while the second semester starts in late August or early September.
(1) Elementary SchoolElementary school consists of grades one to six. Children aged six years or older are eligible for primary school education. Students learn subjects including Korean, mathematics, ethics, social studies, science, music, fine arts, sports, and other subjects. Elementary education is compulsory and free. Parents are subject to legal punishment if they fail to allow their children to receive elementary education.
▶ After-school ProgramsThe government offers after-school foreigner and educational services to children of low income households or double-income families. After-school classes (offered by school instructors), regional foreigner centers, after-school academies and after-school nurseries (foreigner facilities) provide educational and extracurricular services for elementary, middle school, and high school students and help them with their homework.
(2) Middle SchoolMiddle schools consist of three grades in Korea. Students learn subjects like Korean, social studies, math, science, technology, home economics, sports, music, fine arts, and foreign languages (English). Students are usually assigned to nearby middle schools by the government. Middle school education is compulsory like elementary education. Parents are subject to legal punishment if they fail to allow their children to receive middle school education.
(3) High SchoolHigh schools consist of three grades in Korea, and can be divided into regular, vocational, science, and special high schools. Science and special high schools grant admission to students based on test results while regular high schools select students among the applicants in respective regions by raffle. As high school education is not mandatory, tuition is required and varies by region and school. The tuition for high school, other than science and special high schools, is usually 400,000 won per quarter. Tuition discounts are available for low income households.
(4) Higher EducationKorean colleges are categorized into 4-year universities and 2-year community colleges. 4-year universities usually focus on academic studies rather than vocational training. 2-year community colleges offer vocational training curriculums. Colleges are also categorized into regular, special purpose, and special colleges according to their objectives. Special purpose colleges include colleges of education, open universities, Korea National Open University, and science and technology colleges. Special colleges include military academies, police academy, and tax colleges. College applicants must take annual scholastic ability tests to obtain scores before they apply for colleges.
▶ Categorization of Colleges4-year tertiary educational institutions include universities, industrial colleges, colleges of education, Korea National Open University, and online colleges. 2 to 3-year tertiary educational institutions include community and vocational colleges.
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The children of multicultural families are entitled to the full reimbursement of expenses for the use of foreigner centers or kindergartens, regardless of the wealth and income of these households.
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Members of the Medical Society for Migrant Workers will receive medical services at designated private hospitals for 60-70% off the usual doctor’s fee and, at designated general hospitals, at 40-50% off the usual doctor’s fee. If hospitalized or needing to undergo surgery, members can get a maximum of 50% off (maximum 1 million won per person) on the total hospital expense except for the cost of the hospital room and meals. In order to take advantage of discounts on childbirth (200,000 won for vaginal delivery or 400,000 won for caesarian section), a mother must be insured three months prior to becoming pregnant. Couples must register separately and the mother or the father can register one child under 12 years old under his/her name each.
Documents required to register : A copy of passport, 2 copies of ID picture, 5,000 won of registration fee Membership Fee : 6,000 won / month Migrant Health Association in Korea : ☎02-3147-0516~8 Solidarity for Asian Human Rights & Culture : ☎032-684-0244 Bucheon Migrant Workers’ House : ☎032-654-0664
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If you get sick or hurt, then you need to visit a local clinic to see a doctor in most cases. As medical services are offered under various categories in different medical practices, the patient must identify the problem before seeing a doctor. A medical insurance card is also required for service.
Medical InsuranceAll workers employed through the Employment Permit Program are automatically covered by the state medical insurance program. Foreign residents are eligible for the same insurance coverage as Korean citizens. Employers usually handle the medical insurance enrollment process, and 50% of premiums shall be borne by employers (the rest being covered by employees). The state insurance fund covers a portion of medical service charges (60% on average), and the patient needs to pay the non-covered portion. Basic medical services are available for unregistered resident foreigners.
Non-Application of Medical InsuranceMedical insurance coverage is not applicable when the treatments are covered by auto insurance or industrial accident insurance, when the employer is held liable for the medical bills for the treatment of an industrial accident, or when the offender of an illegal act such as a criminal act is held liable for damages.
Foreigners without Medical InsuranceForeign workers, who are not covered by official medical benefits (health insurance), are entitled to the medical expense reimbursement program by paying a subscription fee. Applicants need to visit a local migrant worker counseling center to pay the 5,000 won enrollment fee, the first monthly fee of 6,000 won, two ID photos, and a copy of his or her passport to join the program. Program subscribers are usually charged about 30% to 40% of the total medical bills for private clinic services and entitled to discounts of 40% to 50% at general hospitals.
National Health Insurance Corporation ☎1577-1999 North Bucheon Branch (North Songnae Station): 9th and 10th floors of World Tower, 454-1 Sang-dong, 56 Songnaedaero, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon South Bucheon Branch (South Bucheon Station): 6th and 7th floors of Jueun Medis Tower, 746 Simgokbon-dong, Sosa-gu, Bucheon
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Migrant service centers and counseling centers have been established to help resident foreigners resolve troubles they may experience while living in Korea through counseling services and education and gain more social stability in Korea. Five migrant service centers (Suwon, Ansan, Siheung, Namyangju, Hwaseong) offer counseling services to help resolve problems with overdue wages, violence, human rights abuse, legal troubles, and living difficulties.
Migrant Service Centers in Gyeonggi Province
Migrant Service Centers in Gyeonggi Province Organization Address Contact Namyangju Migrant Service Center 33-9 Nokchon-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju ☎031-594-5821 Suwon Migrant Service Center 72-2 Mesan 3 St. Paldal-gu, Suwon ☎031-223-0075 Siheung Migrant Service Center 1366-6 Jeongwang-dong, Siheung ☎031-434-0411~3 Ansan Migrant Service Center 991-1 Wongok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan ☎031-481-3301 Hwaseong Migrant Service Center 924-2 Gumuncheon-ri, Hyangnam-eup, Hwaseong ☎031-8059-1261 Gimpo Foreign Resident Service Center 2769 Hakun-ri, Yangchon-eup, Gimpo (within Gimpo Gold Valley) ☎031-985-7021 Bucheon Multicultural Family Support Center
Bucheon Multicultural Family Support Center Organization Address Phone Bucheon Multicultural Family Support Center 394-2 Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon(509, 5th floor of Boksagol Culture Center) ☎032-320-6390~7 NPOs for Foreign Residents in Bucheon
NPOs for Foreign Residents in Bucheon Organization Address Address Gyeonggi Global Center 506 Daewoo Plaza, 373 Songnae 2-dong, Sosa-gu, Bucheon ☎032-343-1412 Together Foundation 23-18 Sosa-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon ☎032-343-7575 NPOs for Foreigners in Bucheon
NPOs for Foreigners in Bucheon Organization Address Phone Bucheon Migrant Workers' Welfare Center 23-18 Sosa-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon ☎032-348-7575 Bucheon Migrant Worker's House 3th floor 1093-1, Jung 2-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon ☎032-654-0664 Asian Human Rights Culture Alliance 279-13 Dodang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon ☎032-684-0244 Bucheon Multicultural Center 135-8 Chuneui-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon ☎031-677-7480