If you are married to a Korean, or you are a naturalized citizen with a family here, your local family center (가족센터) is the first place to go for help. Centers in almost every city and district offer Korean classes, interpretation, counseling and support for children, mostly free. The Danuri helpline, 1577-1366, answers 24 hours a day in 13 languages.
Key facts
| Who | Multicultural families: a marriage migrant or naturalized person and a Korean family member, plus their children. Many services also accept other foreign residents |
| Danuri helpline | 1577-1366, 24 hours, 365 days |
| Languages (Danuri) | Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Khmer, Mongolian, Russian, Japanese, Thai, Lao, Uzbek, Nepali |
| Information portal | Danuri (liveinkorea.kr), in many languages |
| Local centers | Family centers (가족센터), formerly multicultural family support centers (다문화가족지원센터) |
| Cost | Most services free; some home-visit services charge by household income |
| Ministry | The family ministry (성평등가족부, renamed from 여성가족부 on September 30, 2025) |
Who counts as a “multicultural family”
Under the Multicultural Families Support Act (다문화가족지원법), a multicultural family is a family made up of:
- a marriage migrant and a Korean national, or
- a person who gained Korean nationality (by naturalization or recognition) and a Korean national,
along with their children. Centers also serve children who joined a parent in Korea later, for example from an earlier marriage (중도입국자녀).
Families of two foreigners (for example two E-7 workers) are not “multicultural families” under this law. They can still use many family center programs and the Danuri helpline, but some services, especially home visits, are reserved for multicultural families.
Danuri helpline (다누리콜센터) 1577-1366
Run by the family ministry for multicultural families and marriage migrants. It offers:
- information on daily life in Korea, visas, health care, schools and benefits;
- three-way phone interpretation when you talk to a hospital, police, school, bank or government office;
- translation of documents;
- family and couple counseling;
- legal advice from specialists;
- crisis support and emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.
You can call any time. In-person counseling is also possible by appointment at the central center in Seoul and regional centers.
Save 1577-1366 in your phone. When an official or doctor does not speak your language, you can call Danuri and they will join the call as an interpreter.
What family centers offer
Services vary by center, but the main programs are:
| Program | What it is |
|---|---|
| Korean language classes | Group classes by level, often with childcare during class |
| Home-visit services | A teacher visits your home for Korean lessons, parenting education or child life support. Usually for recently arrived marriage migrants and their children; limited places |
| Interpretation and translation | Center interpreters help at hospitals, schools, offices and court |
| Counseling | Couple, family and individual counseling, in your language where possible |
| Children’s language development | Assessment and lessons for children of multicultural families who are behind in Korean |
| Bilingual family program | Helps parents raise children in both Korean and the parent’s language |
| Settlement and employment | Education on Korean society, help with job training and jobs |
| Case management | A worker helps families in crisis link up with welfare, legal and medical services |
Home-visit services are reported to cover marriage migrants within about five years of first arriving, and children of roughly 3 to 12. Some cities charge a fee based on income, and you may need an income assessment at your community center first. Check the current rules with your center.
How to use a family center
- Find your nearest center on liveinkorea.kr, or call 1577-1366 and ask.
- Call or visit. Bring your residence card (or Korean ID if naturalized) and family relation documents.
- Sign up for programs. Popular Korean classes and home visits can have waiting lists, so register early.
Other help for marriage migrants
- KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program). Korean and society classes run by the Ministry of Justice, useful for visas and naturalization. See learning Korean.
- Welfare. Marriage migrants can access more benefits than other foreigners, including emergency welfare and basic livelihood support in some situations. See government support for foreigners.
- Children’s benefits. Children with Korean nationality get child allowance, parent pay and the birth voucher. See child benefits.
- Visa questions. F-6 renewals, divorce and status changes: call 1345. See long-term residency.
- Violence and abuse. Call 112 in danger. Danuri and the women’s emergency line 1366 support victims, including with shelter. Your visa status should not stop you from getting protection.
Thi Lan arrived from Vietnam a year ago and married a Korean man in Gimhae. She calls 1577-1366 and is referred to the Gimhae family center. She joins a free Korean class twice a week with childcare for her baby, and the center's interpreter goes with her to her son's health check-up.
Common questions
Can I use a family center if both my spouse and I are foreigners?
Often yes for general programs, counseling and some classes. Home visits and programs written into the Multicultural Families Support Act are mainly for multicultural families. Ask your local center.
Is Danuri only for women?
No. It serves all marriage migrants and multicultural family members, including men.
Will the center report me to immigration?
The centers exist to support families. If you are afraid about your status, you can ask questions without giving your name first.
Do I still get help after I naturalize?
Yes. Naturalized citizens and their families remain a multicultural family under the law.
What’s the difference between 1366 and 1577-1366?
1366 is the women’s emergency hotline for violence. 1577-1366 is the Danuri helpline for multicultural families, which also handles violence cases in 13 languages.
Official sources
This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.