April 26, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Translation services for financial information and transactions is slated to be launched on Nov. 1 by the government, the nation’s financial watchdog said on Oct. 31.

Those in need of the services can contact the Financial Supervisory Service’s call center at 1332, area code not required, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.

After they select a language, the call will be linked directly to a translator working at the Immigration Contact Center of the Justice Ministry, according to the FSS.

“Based on this system, three-way communication will be provided in 19 languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, English, Cambodian and Indonesian,” it said.

The FSS has already provided the ministry with manuals for such major financial services as banking, insurance and financial investment in order to help translators provide quality services.

It’s expected to contribute to decreasing any inconveniences stemming from language barriers or cultural differences, added the agency.

There were around 1.74 million foreigners living in South Korea in 2015, including 950,000 from China, 200,000 from Vietnam, 70,000 from the United States, 70,000 from the Philippines, 50,000 from Cambodia and 40,000 from Indonesia.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)