"Migrant workers and students from Central Asia encounter a great deal of difficulty, from using credit cards to getting medical service and leasing homes," said Kim Won-ho, chairman of the foundation, Monday.

The non-profit foundation was launched last September as the first private channel to bridge South Korea and Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhastan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

"The call center will provide much-needed information in Russian and help Central Asians overcome hardship, mostly due to differences in systems, while residing in Korea," Kim said.

The Central Asia Hotline (070-7438-3967) will operate during business hours from Monday to Friday.

"Despite increased trade and strengthened relations between the two sides, no other non-governmental entity existed to promote economic and socio-cultural exchanges," said Kim.

The foundation has thus far focused on cultural exchange programs, successfully holding cultural festivals in both South Korea and Central Asian countries.

It plans to hold Korean culture festivals in Kazakhastan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and a concert in Seoul by inviting Kazakh tenor Alibek Dnishev.

"Though we’ve focused on cultural exchanges, we’re trying to broaden the scope of our activities," Kim said. "In fact, we’ve facilitated Uzebk cherries, melons and pomegranates enter the Korean market and will assist at President Lee Myung-bak’s forthcoming summits in the Central Asian region in May."