Seoul city government has started to offer business start-up consulting service in Korean for foreigners who feel comfortable speaking Korean.

The city has run a business startup class of 100 aspiring foreign entrepreneurs in English since March, but non-English speakers had trouble keeping up with the class because they are not so fluent in the language, according to city officials.

On Saturday, the city opened a class to offer business advice in Korean to non-English speaking expatriates with Korean-language ability.

“I visited the Seoul Global Center as I felt difficulties in the process of opening up a restaurant in Seoul,” said the 47-year-old businessman Yam from Nepal. “I think I can get practical and detailed information from the class for opening up my restaurant in Seoul.”

“I had some worries over the complex procedure for starting up a business in Korea,” said the 45-year-old Japanese entrepreneur surnamed Gato.

“I’m glad the city is offering the class for us and I hope the information will help me open up my own bakery in Seoul.”

The class taught by business experts provides practical information including an outline of the legal and administrative process for starting a business and ways to get financial support at lower interest rates, to help foreigners eventually open their own businesses.

“We will continue to conduct programs that fit the needs of foreign entrepreneurs in Seoul and help them succeed in Seoul,” said director of Seoul Global Center Kang Sun-seop.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)