Launch of Jaewoe Dongpo Cheong... Yoon: "Korea Supports 7.5 Million Koreans Abroad" (Comprehensive)

A Link to Promote Exchange and Cooperation Between Overseas Koreans and the Homeland
Connecting Valuable Overseas Networks
Dedicated Organizations for Various Exchanges and Protection
Operation of Korean Language Education and Korea Visit Experience Programs
Yoon "Inviting Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Victim Koreans Soon"

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

President Yoon made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs held at the Overseas Koreans Office building in Songdo, Incheon, in the morning. He stated, "Fellow Koreans settled overseas are a valuable external network of the Republic of Korea expanding globally."

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

About 100 key figures from political and governmental circles, overseas Koreans residing abroad, and representatives of Korean organizations located domestically attended the inauguration ceremony. Additionally, over 600 overseas Koreans from around the world participated online to celebrate the launch of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs together. President Yoon presented the appointment letter to Lee Ki-cheol, the head of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs, 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]

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon emphasized the role of the Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs, 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."

He continued, "The Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs, launched today, is a dedicated organization befitting the elevated status and national dignity of our country," and pledged, "Going forward, 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 stated, "Preserving the identity of next-generation overseas Koreans as Koreans and maintaining ties with the motherland are essential missions that the Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs must undertake," adding, "The motherland must also pay attention to second- and third-generation Koreans abroad. We will provide excellent Korean language education and programs that allow them to visit and experience Korea so they can take pride in being Korean and inherit their identity."

The Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs is also expected to soon promote a plan to invite Korean victims of the atomic bomb residing in Japan to Korea as its first major project. President Yoon referred to his promise to invite atomic bomb victims from 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. For 78 years since the bombing, the motherland has not been able to share the pain and sorrow experienced by these individuals. We will soon invite atomic bomb victims to offer some consolation."

He added, "We will also carefully care for the Korean residents in Japan who have struggled to maintain their Korean identity overseas, the Koryo-saram in Central Asia, the Sakhalin Koreans, and the German miners and nurses who laid the foundation for Korea’s economic modernization, ensuring they are not neglected," emphasizing, "We will actively embrace multicultural family Koreans, overseas adoptees, and Koreans residing domestically who have been in policy blind spots due to the absence of a dedicated organization."

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

After the inauguration ceremony, at the celebratory event held at the UN Park in Central Park, Songdo, President Yoon said, "Incheon is a city that hosts the world’s best international airport, global companies, 15 international organizations, and global educational institutions," and added, "The Ministry of Overseas Koreans Affairs, which will become a network hub for overseas Koreans, will be a driving force for Incheon’s growth as a global city."

[Image source=Yonhap News]