Seongnam City announced on the 26th that it is supporting medical interpretation services in nine languages to attract foreign patients and revitalize the medical industry, and is providing internship opportunities for multicultural and career-interrupted personnel. This service is expected to increase the satisfaction of foreign patients visiting Seongnam and have a positive effect on the local economy.

[Korean Today] Panoramic view of Seongnam City Hall © Reporter Na-yeon Kim

Seongnam City (Mayor Shin Sang-jin) announced on the 26th that it is providing medical interpretation services for foreigners in order to revitalize the medical industry in the city and increase the number of foreign patients. The city manages and operates a pool of 82 professional medical interpreters in nine languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Mongolian.

Seongnam City’s interpreters receive specialized training every year in medical terminology, medical services, interpretation knowledge, and industry trends, and support smooth communication between foreigners and medical staff at the request of institutions that attract foreign patients. These interpretation services are provided at various medical institutions in Seongnam City, and help foreign patients receive high-quality medical services.

In particular, Seongnam City provides internship opportunities for multicultural families and career gap personnel. The city operates the ‘Medical Interpreter Intern Program’ in cooperation with medical institutions, and interns receive support to grow into experts in their respective fields by experiencing pre-consultation, treatment, aftercare, marketing, etc. in actual medical settings.

Seongnam City plans to increase the satisfaction of foreign patients visiting Seongnam through these medical interpretation services, as well as promote their shopping, tourism, lodging, and other related consumption, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

A Seongnam City official said, “As the international medical market, which had been stagnant due to COVID-19, is revitalizing, we plan to continuously train professional personnel so that foreigners visiting Seongnam can comfortably receive services.”

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