The Seoul Metropolitan Government will increase the number of foreign residents invited to local Korean homes because of the rising popularity of its home visit program among foreigners and citizens, officials said Thursday.

The city government plans to select 120 foreigners to visit local Korean families on May 13 to experience culture and customs, and enhance their understanding of Korean people by having dinner together and playing traditional games, they said. Last year, about 100 foreign residents were invited.

Those who want to take part should fill out an application form available on the Seoul Global Center website (global.seoul.go.kr) and submit it by e-mail or fax from April 20-30. Successful applicants, selected on a first-come, first-served basis, will be announced on May 2.

Those who apply as a family and migrant workers will be given priority in the selection process, officials said.

Seoul citizens who wish to invite foreigners to their homes should also follow the same procedure. Homes with three or more generations living together will be the most desirable host candidates.

The number of foreign residents reached 366,279, which accounted for 3.6 percent of the total population of the capital, in 2011.

“We expect the visit program will help Koreans reduce prejudice against foreigners and increase their understanding and vice versa,” said Kim Myung-ju, director of the division for supporting foreigners.

For more information, visit global.seoul.go.kr, or call (02) 2632-9933.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)