A massive new consulate opens the door to China

The Chinese consulate resumed issuing visas from Oct. 17, after moving its office from the Kyobo building in Gwanghwamun to Namsan. The two-storied building is the largest Chinese consulate in the world, according to the Chinese embassy.
“We expanded our consulate office to meet the rising demand for visas, as the number of China-Korea exchanges has greatly increased,” the embassy said. “We expect Koreans and Chinese-Koreans will be provided with a better service.” Last year, 1.3 million Koreans received Chinese visas.
Meanwhile, another plan to reconstruct the embassy building, which has been located in Myeong-dong since 1992, was suspended due to the Korean government’s administration capital relocation project. The temporary embassy is in Hyoja-dong, Jongno.
The new Chinese consulate is located right next to the ticket booth for the Seoul Tower cable car, 500 meters from Myongdong station on line number 4. The office hours are from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (02) 756-7300.

by Park Shin-hong