SEOUL, South Korea – The 2025 World Korean Association Leaders Convention officially opened on September 29 at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul. The event, one of the largest hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), brought together hundreds of Korean community leaders from around the globe.
New OKA Chief Stresses Unity for National Growth
The opening ceremony marked the first major event led by Kim Kyung-hyup, the newly appointed (third) Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, who took office just two weeks prior on September 11. A former three-term member of the National Assembly, Commissioner Kim delivered a keynote address emphasizing the critical role of the 7 million overseas Koreans in South Korea's future.
"This year marks the 80th anniversary of our liberation," Commissioner Kim stated. "As President Lee Jae-myung recently stressed at the UN General Assembly, the motherland and the 7 million overseas Koreans must go together for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the growth of the motherland."
Expressing a sense of "heavy responsibility and mission," Kim pledged to unify the capabilities of the Korean diaspora and invest in the education and support of the next generation. He also promised to improve policies, specifically mentioning plans to lower the eligible age for congenital dual citizenship and reform the overseas voting system to make it more accessible.
Attendance and Dignitaries
The opening ceremony saw participation from approximately 370 individuals from 67 countries, including current Korean association presidents and executives from continental federations.
Domestic dignitaries also attended, including Jang Dong-hyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, who offered congratulations, stating, "Each and every one of you, who elevates the status of the Republic of Korea around the world and dedicates yourselves to the national interest, is a great source of strength and hope for us." Other attendees included Kim Seok-ki, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, as well as several other National Assembly members.
Convention Highlights and New Programs
This year's convention, the 26th since its inception in 2000, runs for four days until October 2. Key events include a welcome and closing ceremony, a luncheon with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, regional issue discussions, and the annual World Korean Day ceremony.
A notable feature is the introduction of two new programs by the OKA: the Official Agenda Discussion and the Local Government-Korean Association Collaboration Case Presentation. The Official Agenda Discussion is the first time the convention has focused exclusively on common issues facing Korean communities worldwide. The collaboration session will feature presentations from local governments (Incheon, Ulsan, Jeonbuk Province) on their successful partnerships with overseas Korean associations.
The convention also hosts an expanded exhibition of government agency booths, with 11 organizations—including the Overseas Koreans Service Support Center, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Pension Service—offering information on services relevant to overseas Koreans.
Popular programs returning include the Presentation of Excellent Korean Association Business Cases, where three associations—the LA Korean Association, the Zainichi Korean Residents Union in Japan Central Headquarters, and the Hanoi Korean Association—will share their successful operational models.
The convention will conclude on October 2 with the World Korean Day Ceremony at the same venue, expected to be attended by the President or Prime Minister, where a list of approximately 100 individuals recognized for their contributions to the overseas Korean community will be announced.
The official slogan for the 2025 convention is "Expanding the Capabilities of the Overseas Korean Community to Leap to a Greater Republic of Korea."
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