President Lee: "Overseas Koreans Are 7 Million Local Contact Points... Support for Compatriot Community Is an Investment"

President Lee Jae-myung stated, "The government's support for the overseas compatriot community is not a one-sided benefit," adding, "It is an investment to help the Republic of Korea and overseas Korean communities empower each other, and to pass down networks formed across the globe to the next generation."

Attending the 20th World Korean Day ceremony held in Songdo, Incheon, President Lee said in his commemorative address, "The 7 million overseas Koreans living in 181 countries around the world are 7 million local hubs connecting the Republic of Korea to the world."

President Lee encouraged attendees, saying, "Because of you, our overseas compatriots, who endured prejudice and discrimination in unfamiliar lands and earned the trust of local societies through diligence and responsibility, the Republic of Korea was able to achieve remarkable growth and earn international recognition in a short period of time," adding, "That is why the lives of our overseas compatriots are one with the history of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Just as the Republic of Korea grows, the lives of our compatriots grow, and as our compatriots grow, the standing of the Republic of Korea also rises," adding, "From this perspective, the government of popular sovereignty is remaking policies for overseas Koreans anew."

Specifically, he stated, "We will provide stronger support for next-generation education so that our children can take pride in their roots as Koreans no matter where they live," adding, "We will also establish an 'integrated digital platform for overseas Koreans' so that people can use government services more conveniently from anywhere in the world and policy information can seamlessly connect with the compatriot community."

He also pledged, "We will strive to improve the overseas voting system so that compatriots can exercise their rights as sovereign citizens more easily," adding, "We will provide more attentive support for the return and resettlement of overseas compatriots and cherish and embrace the lives and memories of adopted Koreans as part of the history of the Republic of Korea."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "The voices of the compatriot community are the starting point for all policies," adding, "To ensure that those voices do not end up as mere 'suggestions,' we will make sure good proposals are put into action."

President Lee noted, "This year's 'World Korean Day' is more special than ever," highlighting the significance of 'World Korean Week,' which kicked off on this day.

He continued, "Until now, we have met by region, by sector, and by generation, but now we seek to connect those meetings into one," explaining, "World Korean Week this year is the first step toward connecting all your experiences and capabilities to shape the future of a new Republic of Korea together."

He then urged, "If 7 million overseas compatriots and 52 million citizens are connected into one greater Republic of Korea, we can advance into a country that the world trusts even more and a nation that contributes to a better future for humanity," adding, "Let us build an 'irreplaceable Republic of Korea' together that no one can replace."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.