53rd integrated support center nationwide; third in Incheon

The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service opened the Sohae Inclusive Finance Integrated Support Center in Incheon's Sohae-gu on Tuesday. [Korea Inclusive Finance Agency]
The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service opened the Sohae Inclusive Finance Integrated Support Center in Incheon's Sohae-gu on Tuesday. [Korea Inclusive Finance Agency]

Residents in northwestern Incheon can now access debt adjustment, policy-based inclusive finance services, and employment and welfare counseling all under one roof. The new center is expected to ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel to support centers in other parts of the city.

The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service announced Wednesday that they had opened the Sohae Inclusive Finance Integrated Support Center to help residents in northwestern Incheon resolve financial difficulties and achieve economic independence. The Sohae center is the 53rd such integrated support center nationwide.

The center offers policy-based inclusive finance counseling, debt counseling and debt adjustment, as well as referral services linking clients to employment and welfare support. The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency, the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service, and Smile Microfinance are all represented at the center, allowing visitors to receive guidance on all available support in a single visit.

The Sohae center is located about a five-minute walk from Exit 6 of Gajeong Station in Incheon's Sohae-gu. It began operations Tuesday and is staffed by six people — one from the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency, four from the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service, and one from the Woori Smile Microfinance Foundation. Appointments for in-person consultations can be made through either agency's call center.

Incheon previously had two integrated support centers — the Incheon Inclusive Finance Integrated Support Center in Namdong-gu and the Gyeyang Inclusive Finance Integrated Support Center. With the addition of the Sohae center, the city now has three.

"The Sohae center is a key hub that completes the inclusive finance safety net for Incheon's Sohae-gu," said Kim Eun-kyung, president of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and chair of the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service. "We will do our utmost to ensure that timely financial and welfare support reaches vulnerable groups and small business owners facing economic hardship."

Those who have suffered harm from illegal private lending can report it to the Financial Supervisory Service (☎1332) for assistance. Those struggling with excessive debt can contact the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency (☎1397) or the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (☎1600-5500) for help. Loan contracts with an annual interest rate exceeding 60 percent are void in both principal and interest.


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