Gwangju City News – March 2025
Exclusive Banking Service for Foreign Residents Opens in Gwangju
On February 24, 2025, the Kwangju Bank Foreigner Banking Center opened on the first floor of the Gwangju International Residents Center. This specialized financial institution exclusively serves international residents, offering multilingual banking services in five languages: Vietnamese, Indonesian, Mongolian, Nepali, and English. Key services include the following:
- Multilingual banking services for various transactions.
- Exclusive financial products for international residents, including savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.
- Business hours: Monday to Friday (9:00 a.m.
- – 4:00 p.m.), Sunday (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
- Application for nursing care benefits
- Nursing rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation compensation
- Disability assessment
Car-Free Sundays in Dongu District
From March through December this year, the Dong-gu District of Gwangju will enforce a car-free zone on the first Sunday of every month along Geumnam-ro (from Geumnam Park to Jeonil Building 245). This initiative, excluding October (due to the Chuseok Festival), will restrict vehicle access from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Program highlights include the following:
- “Let’s Walk” Initiative: Encourages pedestrian-friendly spaces.
- Geumnam Park Activities: Relaxation spaces with bean bags, live busking performances, and flea markets.
- Democracy Square: Interactive installations and cultural experiences.
- Jeonil Building 245: Playgrounds and community gatherings.
- Special Monthly Events: Various activities, including sports competitions and seasonal celebrations.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, alongside a formal declaration of the initiative.
Support for Foreign Workers: New Industrial Accident Counseling Advice
Starting in February 2025, the City of Gwangju has launched an industrial accident counseling service to support foreign workers. This initiative, in collaboration with the Gwangju International Residents Center and the Gwangju Regional Office of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, aims to provide guidance on industrial accident compensation and related policies. More specifically, the services available include the following:
- Retirement pensions
- Employment accident insurance
- Application for leave of absence benefits
GIC Citizen Choir Recruitment
The Citizens Choir of the Gwangju International Center is currently recruiting members. This opportunity is open to both Koreans and international residents aged 20 and above who can read sheet music.
Audition Details:
- Date: March 8, 2025
- Time: 2:00 p.m.
- Location: 1st Floor Auditorium, Gwangju International Center
- Phone: 010-4397-0911, 010-8613-3170
Compiled by Shin Gyonggu.