"A community where no one is marginalized." Hyung Ju-baek, the 35th President of the Korean Society of Sydney, officially began his term. As a 1.5 generation immigrant whose journey started with migration to Paraguay in 1976 and has spanned 43 years in Australia, his leadership is a product of his diverse background. Based on the integrity of having built a contract services business over four decades, the vision for unification garnered from his experience as a Democratic Party Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (DPPUAC) head, and a deep sense of empathy stemming from his multicultural roots, he declared his intention to transform the Korean Society into a platform for 'change and innovation' and champion 'inclusive leadership' that embraces the next generation and the elderly.

From South American Uncertainty to Australian Stability: A 49-Year Immigration Journey 

The history of the Sydney Korean community is woven with the narratives of immigrants from diverse paths and backgrounds. Among them, the background of Hyung Ju-baek, the 35th President, is particularly distinctive. In 1976, at the age of 16, he followed his family to their first immigration destination: Paraguay. After living in South America for six years, he re-migrated to Sydney, Australia in 1982 in search of broader opportunities. His life is that of a 1.5 generation immigrant, having been away from Korea for 49 years and living in Australia for 43 of them.

In an exclusive interview at the Sydney Korean Society Hall in Croydon Park on August 11, President Hyung candidly recalled the hardships of his early immigration years. After leaving the uncertainty of Paraguay for settlement in Australia, he was met with language and cultural barriers, and the toil of labor necessary for survival.

"In those days, dreaming about tomorrow wasn't the priority; simply enduring today was. There were countless days when I worked over 12 hours, moving between factories and construction sites, coming home drenched in sweat and dust. But I clenched my teeth to support my family and plant roots in this new land."
His life trajectory follows the classic immigrant success story: sincerity, honesty, and perseverance. He adhered to these principles in the cleaning and maintenance service industry, which he entered in 1983 through an acquaintance, laying the groundwork for expanding his business over 40 years across three generations, built on trust with the local community. His confession that he found solace in his faith and learned to persevere by being thankful for the small things offers a glimpse into the secret of his success as a respected Korean entrepreneur in Australian society.

 

Cultivating Global Leadership Through the DPPUAC 

President Hyung's involvement in the Korean community extended beyond mere volunteering, serving as a crucial stage for shaping his leadership and vision. He began his official public activities in 2009 upon his appointment as a member of the 14th Democratic Party Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (DPPUAC). He systematically built up his organizational management and external cooperation skills while holding key positions such as Planning Committee Chair and Vice President.

His capabilities reached their peak while serving as the President of the 18th and 19th DPPUAC Australia Chapter. He closely collaborated with major experts in unification and foreign policy in Korea, such as former Presidential Special Advisor Moon Chung-in and former Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun, cultivating a broad and in-depth perspective on peace policies for the Korean Peninsula. He actively participated in various forums, meetings, and international conferences, sharing the vision of peace with the Australian Korean community and significantly contributing to enhancing the community's awareness of unification.

The DPPUAC activities instilled in President Hyung a deep sense of mission and insight beyond a mere title. He established networks with Korean leaders across the globe, gaining a global sense of culture, politics, and economics, and deeply internalized the importance of communication and harmony during the process of mediating diverse opinions. This experience and the trust he built became the strongest foundation for his candidacy for the 35th President of the Korean Society of Sydney and are now his core assets for leading the Korean community forward.

 

An Inclusive Korean Society Under the Banner of 'Change and Innovation' 

The key slogan President Hyung Ju-baek has put forward as the 35th Korean Society President is 'Change and Innovation.' He expressed a firm commitment to transforming the Korean Society from merely an event-hosting body into a platform that provides practical and professional support to the community. His motto is: 'Together with the 35th Korean Society of Sydney, to the Future!'

The most notable aspect of his leadership is his focus on bridging the generational gap and including marginalized groups. Understanding the loneliness and difficulties he faced as a 1.5 generation immigrant, he has made 'a community where no one is marginalized' his top priority.

Strengthening Generational Communication Channels: He announced plans to establish communication structures that span all generations by opening SNS and next-generation channels for the youth, KakaoTalk Open Chat for middle-aged and older adults, and dedicated spaces and counseling services for seniors aged 60 and over.
Expanding Support for Vulnerable Groups: He highlighted his commitment to prioritizing the activation of a 'Lifeline' service and establishing a solidarity system to provide practical help to compatriots facing difficulties. Signing an MOU with 'Lifeline' at his inauguration ceremony demonstrated his commitment to action.
Professional, Practical Services: His policy is to ensure the Korean Society becomes a steadfast supporter rather than just a gathering space by offering professional, practical services, such as expanding employment training programs for youth and the next generation, and systematizing welfare programs for seniors.
President Hyung emphasized his multicultural background as a strength, stating he would draw on his "bicultural experience, embracing both Korean diligence and Australian openness," to help the immigration journey of compatriots culminate in pride.

 

Securing Identity: Korean Community Center and Transparent Operations 

The long-cherished aspiration of the Korean Society—the construction of a Korean Community Center (Cultural Center)—is also a major task for President Hyung. He pledged to use the $2 million grant received from the NSW government for the renovation of the aging current center in a transparent and fair manner. He plans to proceed with the remodeling by opening opportunities for Korean businesses to participate through direct discussions with the Bankstown Mayor and by reflecting the opinions of the community as much as possible.

Simultaneously, he is actively involved as a director of the 'Sydney Korean Society (Cultural Center) Construction Promotion Committee' to secure a long-term, independent space. The fact that over $270,000 was raised just one month after the committee's launch symbolically illustrates the community's fervent desire. President Hyung stressed that "the construction of the Korean Cultural Center is the foundation for the identity and future generation of the Korean community" and vowed to realize this dream through close cooperation between the Korean Society and the Promotion Committee.

He also expressed a strong commitment to establishing a transparent and fair operating system by promising the continuous disclosure of financial records, ensuring the Korean Society is reborn as a public institution trusted by all compatriots.

"Different Thoughts, One Heart": A Message of Coexistence 

President Hyung cited his biggest goal during his term as providing practical support to compatriots through the 'Lifeline' linkage system. His ultimate aim is for the community to become a center that can care for the hearts of immigrants struggling with loneliness, economic hardship, and depression, who came to Australia with hope.

He concluded by sending a message of coexistence and pride to the Sydney Korean community:

"I hope that our Korean community will acknowledge each other's differences and uphold the pride of being one Korean people together. Our thoughts may be different, but our hearts can be united as one. We are all like 'national representatives' representing the Republic of Korea in this land. Let us not forget that purpose, and walk together as proud Koreans."
President Hyung Ju-baek's leadership is the result of the combination of his multicultural experience from his youth, spanning the clear skies of Paraguay and the vast lands of Australia, and the integrity honed by building a business over four decades. Attention is focused on whether his inclusive and pragmatic leadership will guide the Sydney Korean Society toward a new dimension as a 'Community Platform for All.'