A view of an LG Uplus store specialized for foreign customers. (Image provided by LG Uplus)
SEOUL, May 22 (Korea Bizwire) – In a move to better serve the growing number of foreign residents in South Korea, LG Uplus announced Thursday it will launch specialized retail stores tailored for non-Korean customers at key locations nationwide.
The initiative aims to improve accessibility and communication for foreign nationals seeking mobile and internet services.
The telecom provider said it will begin redesigning 67 existing stores to serve as “foreign customer-focused branches,” with multilingual signage and customer support customized to reflect the linguistic and demographic characteristics of each region.
A key component of the strategy involves expanding the number of languages available for service-related documents. Previously offered in just four languages—Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese—documents will now be available in 17 languages, including Russian, Thai, Burmese, Mongolian, Uzbek, and Lao.
The logos of South Korea’s major telecom operators — KT Corp., SK Telecom Co. and LG Uplus Corp. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
LG Uplus said this would make it easier for foreign residents to understand their service plans and streamline the subscription process.
Seventeen high-traffic stores will be upgraded into “Global Telecom Centers,” offering dedicated in-language consultation services.
To support this expansion, the company has increased its team of multilingual staff to over 170, hiring representatives from countries such as China and Russia.
“We’re committed to creating a communication environment where foreign customers can feel just as comfortable and confident as locals,” said an LG Uplus official.
The initiative reflects broader efforts by Korean companies to accommodate a more diverse population, as South Korea continues to see a steady rise in long-term foreign residents.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
