1. On February 19, H.E. Kang Insun, 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Consular Call Center. Her visit was made as a part of the government’s overall efforts to improve citizens’ livelihood. She checked its response system and framework to possible emergency calls for protection of overseas Korean nationals.

2. The Consular Call Center operates 24/7, receiving and disseminating information related to overseas incidents, emergencies and crisis. Acting as a reliable companion for the safe overseas travels of Korean citizens, the Consular Call Center handled more than 330,000 calls last year alone.

3. Vice Foreign Minister Kang underscored that the general public's assessment on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hinges on their firsthand experiences with consular services at the scene of overseas incidents and emergencies. And she asked the Consular Call Center staff to consider themselves as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to give their utmost efforts to protect overseas Korean nationals.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to strengthen the capacity of the Consular Call Center for the protection of overseas Korean nationals in order to ensure that Korean nationals can stay safe abroad.