Seoul plans to increase the number of information gatherers it has in developed countries, officials announced Wednesday.

Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand the number of “foreign correspondents” in the U.S. and euro zone.

The capital already has 145 correspondents in 80 cities in 33 countries who gather and send information on the cities’ policies. The program began in 2008 and has since provided Seoul with information that it could possibly implement into its own policy.

The city said it has seen an increase in foreign investment and a decrease in unemployment rates in the past three years as a result of the program.

The program has amassed correspondents from all sectors including foreigners interested in Korea, migrant Koreans, study abroad students, dispatched government officials and reporters among others.

The city has the most correspondents in the Asia-Pacific region, with students taking the lion’s share.



By Robert Lee
(robert@heraldcorp.com)