South Korean authorities launch specialized consultation services

South Korean government agencies and local districts are expanding specialized consultation services to address specific community needs. In Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the district is expanding its ‘Urban Renewal Open Counseling Office’ starting in November. The program will introduce night-time sessions on the last Wednesday of each month to accommodate office workers and ‘visiting counseling’ services at specific redevelopment sites to provide on-site expertise from lawyers, tax accountants, and appraisers.

Simultaneously, the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency are launching a ‘Visiting Financial Counseling Office’ for military personnel. Starting in late November, professional counselors will visit military bases to provide one-on-one financial diagnostics for officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers aged 19 to 34. The initiative aims to mitigate financial risks such as high-interest debt and risky investments among young service members by offering personalized advice on income, expenditure, and credit management.