INCHEON — President Lee Jae-myung said on the 28th that government support for overseas Korean communities is "a highly efficient investment aimed at passing on the networks built around the world to the next generation."
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 20th World Korean Day in Songdo, Incheon, Lee said, "Now that the world is paying attention to South Korea, the role of overseas Koreans has grown that much larger and more important." Referring to World Korean Day, which falls on Oct. 5, Lee first said, "I extend my deep respect and gratitude to the 7 million overseas Koreans who have connected South Korea with the world."
He added, "This year's World Korean Day is more special than ever," and said, "Until now we have met by region, by field and by generation, but now we intend to bring those gatherings together as one." He went on to mention the Korean associations from around the world, overseas Korean business leaders, next-generation members of the diaspora, Koreans adopted abroad, Sakhalin Koreans and returnees who attended the ceremony.
Citing the country's standing as one of the world's top 10 economies and top five military powers, Lee said, "Achievements that are nothing short of a miracle were made possible by the day-and-night efforts, dedication and sacrifice of our people, together with the painstaking efforts of overseas Koreans."
He continued, "The 7 million overseas Koreans living in 181 countries are 7 million local footholds through which South Korea connects to the world." He explained, "The South Korean government's support for overseas Korean communities is not a one-sided benefit given to someone living abroad. It is a highly efficient investment through which South Korea and overseas Korean communities become a source of strength for each other and the networks formed around the world are passed on to the next generation."
