PRESIDENT-ELECT'S TEAM, SEOUL CITY AT ODDS OVER FOREIGNERS' ZONES.

SEOUL, Feb 4 Asia Pulse - Seoul is a kaleidoscope of different places for foreigners, ranging from being a great place to live in to a city expatriates should avoid at all costs.

Among the positive factors are the city's high-tech features, in particular its state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure as well as its willingness to accept foreign goods and services.

Not so attractive, on the other hand, are problems related with housing, transportation, public services, communication and the leisure environment - aspects close to expatriates' daily lives.

Given this situation, the presidential transition committee unveiled a plan to develop not only Gimpo in Gyeonggi Province but also Sangam-dong in western Seoul into residential areas for foreigners.

"Attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) is not enough to realize the goal of making the country a hub of Northeast Asia. Only when an amenable living infrastructure for foreigners is established will true globalization come," said a transition committee member.

In a snap poll of 208 members of the Seoul International Women's Association last year, over 45 per cent said the rental prices are too expensive, while a mere 16.4 per cent of the respondents are satisfied with housing prices in Seoul.

"The new government will make an effort to address foreigners' concerns about housing, education, shopping and other daily living issues, so that they can settle down here and lead a stable life," he said.