Science & Tech · AI · 8 hrs ago
Samcheok launches AI translation service for public inquiries
The city of Samcheok in South Korea has launched an AI translation service for residents who need help with public services.
It is running at the city hall’s general civil affairs office, as the number of foreign residents and multicultural households grows.
The system translates spoken conversations in about 120 languages and shows captions on tablets facing the resident and staff member.
This is intended to help people communicate without an in-person interpreter.
The tablets also offer translated guidance on common matters such as changing a registered address and applying for certificates.
The city will gather feedback and assess the system before deciding whether to extend it to local service centers and health centers.
Samcheok is operating an AI-based service that provides real-time translation for public inquiries.
The system has been available this month at the city hall’s general civil service office.
It translates speech in about 120 languages and displays subtitles in both the visitor’s language and Korean.
Preloaded guidance covers common administrative questions, including address changes and certificate issuance.
The city plans to gather feedback and consider expanding the service to other public-facing offices.
- Who
- Samcheok City and foreign residents using its public services.
- What
- The city has launched an AI-based, real-time multilingual translation service for public inquiries.
- When
- It began operating this month; the article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The general civil service office at Samcheok City Hall, South Korea.
- Why
- To improve convenience for foreign residents and provide administrative services without language barriers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Samcheok began operating the translation system at the city hall’s general civil service office.
The city plans to collect feedback and review the system before considering expansion to other public service offices.
- Languages
- About 120
- Current location
- Samcheok City Hall’s general civil service office
- Translation method
- Real-time, two-way speech translation with subtitles
- Preloaded guidance
- Address changes, certificate issuance and other common administrative inquiries
- Planned expansion
- Local administrative welfare centers and health centers
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What people are saying
We will continue to expand citizen-centered, customized civil service using digital technology.