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Foreign ministry pushes for work system upgrade to allow remote working at diplomatic missions

By Yonhap

Published : Sept. 8, 2021 - 11:38

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Yonhap) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Yonhap)
The foreign ministry said Wednesday it will establish a "smart work system" to allow overseas-based diplomats to work remotely from home and elsewhere without returning to their offices as part of efforts to improve the working environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current work system requires diplomats to access the ministry's network only from their missions connected via secure lines. That has caused difficulties as the COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted direct contact or on-site activities.

Under the new system, diplomats will be provided with laptops and other tools equipped for access from outside the premises so they can deal remotely with non-classified tasks, such as accidents involving South Korean nationals or international conferences, the ministry said.

The ministry has requested 3.1 billion won ($2.66 million) in next year's budget for the smart work system, which also includes introducing artificial intelligence-based technologies and other digitization efforts. (Yonhap)