President Lee Meets with Korean Residents in Malaysia on the 26th
"Exactly Ten Thousand Li Away, You Are Civilian Diplomats"
President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are posing with flower girls for a commemorative photo at a dinner meeting with overseas Koreans held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 26th, President Lee Jae-myung met with local Koreans in Malaysia and stated, "We will work together to build a true Republic of Korea that people around the world aspire to emulate and that future generations can be proud of."
President Lee made these remarks at a meeting with overseas Koreans held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he was visiting to attend the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit. He said, "I pay tribute to the genuine democracy demonstrated by our people as a cultural powerhouse that has captured the world's attention."
President Lee explained, "When you travel or live abroad, being asked if you are Korean can carry many different meanings. Sometimes it fills you with pride, but at other times, you may feel as if people are wondering, 'Are you from that strange country?'"
He added, "There have been times when you worried about the situation back home while living far away in a foreign land. I am determined to make Korea a country where your heart no longer races with anxiety when someone asks, 'Are you Korean?'"
President Lee introduced Malaysia as being "exactly ten thousand li away from Korea," and praised the local Koreans as "civilian diplomats representing the Republic of Korea."
He went on to say, "It is said that there are about 18,000 Koreans living in Malaysia, but I believe the actual number is much higher. Since you are the pioneers who have paved the way, I hope you will open good paths for the Koreans who will settle here in the future."
Lee: "One may break easily, but together we are unbreakable"
President Lee Jae-myung is giving a greeting speech at a dinner meeting with overseas Koreans held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee also emphasized, "Every single citizen of the Republic of Korea is truly remarkable and possesses great capabilities. When living overseas, I hope that Koreans will form strong bonds of cooperation and mutual support, creating relationships that are truly helpful to one another."
Quoting the saying, "One can break easily, but together we are unbreakable," he offered words of encouragement, stating, "By joining our strengths, we will be able to overcome even the most difficult challenges more easily."
Finally, he promised, "I would like to reiterate that the Korean government will continue to make institutional improvements to ensure that you can exercise your rights as citizens with pride and without inconvenience."
Approximately 200 people from various fields, including representatives of Korean organizations, businesspeople, Korean language school officials, cultural and artistic figures, and international organization employees, attended the meeting.
At the celebratory performance, the 'KSMY Youth Orchestra'-composed of about 50 local Korean youths, including students from the Malaysia Korean International School-performed 'Arirang' and 'On an Amazing Day in October.' In the next act, singer and actor Jang Hanbyul, who won a local Malaysian competition program, gave a passionate rendition of 'Golden.'
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