Launch of the Overseas Koreans Agency... Yoon: "Korea Will Grow Together with Overseas Koreans"

Linking Overseas Koreans and Homeland for Exchange and Cooperation
Korean Language Education and Korea Visit Experience Programs Operated
Yoon "Soon Inviting Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Victim Koreans"

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 5th that "if the network of 7.5 million Koreans abroad is closely connected to share necessary information and experiences, overseas Koreans and the Republic of Korea will grow and develop together."

President Yoon attended the inauguration ceremony of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans held at the Overseas Koreans Office building in Songdo, Incheon, and stated, "The overseas Koreans who have settled abroad are a valuable external network of the Republic of Korea expanding globally," according to a press release from the presidential office.

The establishment of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans was a campaign pledge of President Yoon during his presidential candidacy. It is an organization newly established through the amendment of the Government Organization Act in March to systematically and comprehensively implement policies for the 7.3 million overseas Koreans. It will be responsible for various exchanges with overseas Koreans and support for overseas Korean communities.

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon emphasized the role of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans, saying, "Overseas Koreans earnestly desire a gateway of opportunity for the motherland and the Korean community to grow together. The Republic of Korea intends to meet those expectations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The Ministry of Overseas Koreans, inaugurated today, is a dedicated organization befitting the elevated status and national dignity of our country," and pledged, "From now on, it will not only protect and support overseas Koreans but also serve as a link to promote exchanges and cooperation between overseas Koreans and the motherland."

He also added, "Preserving the identity of the next-generation overseas Koreans as Koreans and maintaining their ties with the motherland is an essential mission of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans," and stated, "The motherland must also pay attention to second- and third-generation Koreans abroad. We will provide excellent Korean language education so they can take pride in being Korean and inherit their identity, and offer programs that allow them to visit and experience Korea."

The Ministry of Overseas Koreans is also expected to soon promote a plan to invite atomic bomb-affected Koreans residing in Japan to Korea as its first major project. President Yoon referred to his promise to invite atomic bomb-affected Koreans in Hiroshima during his attendance at the G7 summit last month, saying, "Wherever they are in the world, it is the nation's duty to embrace the pain of our compatriots. Over the 78 years since the bombing, the motherland has not been able to share the suffering and sorrow of these individuals. We will soon invite atomic bomb-affected Koreans to offer some consolation."

Regarding the reason for locating the Ministry of Overseas Koreans office in Songdo, Incheon, he said, "Incheon is the root of overseas Koreans, as it was the departure point of immigrant ships heading to Hawaii 120 years ago," and added, "Incheon will leap forward as a more vibrant international city with the hosting of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans."

About 100 key figures from politics and government, overseas Koreans residing abroad, and representatives of Korean organizations in Korea attended the inauguration ceremony, and over 600 overseas Koreans from around the world participated online to celebrate the launch of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans. President Yoon presented the appointment letter to Lee Ki-cheol, head of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans, handed over the ministry's plaque, and personally awarded medals and commendations to four individuals who contributed to the development of the Korean community, encouraging them.

[Image source=Yonhap News]