Gyeongju City Establishes 20-Language Interpretation System Ahead of APEC... 24-Hour Telephone Service for Tourists

Gyeongju City will provide interpretation support for foreigners in preparation for the upcoming APEC Summit.

On the 14th, the city signed a business agreement with the language and culture NGO 'bbb Korea' at the External Cooperation Office in the city hall.

On the 14th, at the Gyeongju City Hall External Cooperation Office, Mayor Ju Nakyoung and Chairman Lee Heesoo (right) of bbb Korea posed for a commemorative photo holding the agreement during the foreign interpretation support business agreement ceremony between Gyeongju City and bbb Korea.

The two organizations agreed to establish a real-time telephone interpretation system in preparation for the APEC Summit to be held in October and the subsequent increase in tourist demand.

This agreement is a measure to break down language barriers for foreigners and to enhance convenience for tourists.

The city aims to strengthen its communication capabilities as a global tourist destination.

bbb Korea is a language and culture NGO that has operated an interpretation volunteer system since 2002, with thousands of volunteers currently providing services in 20 languages.

In particular, unlike AI-based apps, bbb interpretation provides support through direct human interpretation over the phone.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and users are immediately connected after installing the app and entering the language and situation. A three-way call function is also provided.

Gyeongju City plans to distribute leaflets, promote the service on social media, and provide on-site training so that interpretation services can be utilized not only at conference venues but also at restaurants, taxis, accommodations, and tourist information centers frequented by foreigners.

Lee Heesoo, Chairman of bbb Korea, said, "This will be an opportunity for Gyeongju to become a world-class tourist city," and added, "We will do our best to ensure an APEC event without language barriers."

Ju Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "This agreement is an important milestone for Gyeongju as it moves toward becoming a city that communicates with the world," and added, "We will closely cooperate with bbb Korea to develop both the tourism industry and international exchanges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.