SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — One recipient of medical aid, currently being treated with oxygen therapy at home, is unable to walk freely.

But in order to apply for financial assistance and submit medical statements, he must physically visit his neighborhood community service center.

Fortunately, however, recipients of medical aid facing similar mobility problems will no longer be obliged to visit community centers to submit documents.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety revealed that starting September 3, all administrative government agencies will implement an “Open Document” service, allowing citizens to receive and or submit official documents via the Internet.

The service was first initiated in July 2016, starting with a few administrative agencies on a limited basis.

The new measure will, in effect, expand the service to all sectors of government, including central and local municipalities and public institutions.

Last year, approximately 13.8 million non-electronic documents were processed in public institutions.

With the introduction of “Open Document” to the entire public sector, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety hopes to save as much as 139 billion won in paper, printing, transportation and labor costs.

Anyone can take advantage of the service by logging onto the official website of “Open Document” at www.open.gdoc.go.kr, selecting the type of document of choice and filling out the document before making a formal submission online.

Once the document is processed at a relevant government agency, the results of the process will be forwarded back to the “Open Document” system.

Kim Boo-kyum, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, said that he expects that the system will spark a fundamental change in the application method for civic documents.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)