Global Economic Times

2026 Overseas Koreans Agency Budget Confirmed at 112.7 Billion Won... 5.3% Increase Year-on-Year: KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2025-12-06 08:38:33

Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA)

On the 5th, the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA, Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyup) announced that its budget for next year was confirmed at 112.7 billion won through a vote at the National Assembly plenary session on December 2nd. This represents an increase of 5.6 billion won (5.3%) compared to this year's original budget of 107.1 billion won.

The OKA budget continues its upward trend, following 106.7 billion won in 2024 and 107.1 billion won in 2025, reaching 112.7 billion won next year. During the National Assembly review process, the budget was increased by a total of 3.5 billion won from the government proposal (109.2 billion won) as eight projects were additionally reflected, including: # Support for Promoting the Rights and Interests of Koryoin Compatriots (+2.5 billion won), # Continental Korean Association Presidents' Conference (+0.3 billion won), and # Regional Support for Domestic Settlement of Overseas Koreans (+0.3 billion won).

The OKA assessed that this budget will strengthen its role as the control tower for Korean diaspora policy and serve as a foundation for implementing policies without fail. Next year's budget focuses on implementing national tasks and is prioritized for: # Strengthening support for returning Koreans, # Reorganizing the global Korean network, # Strengthening identity education for the next generation, and # Supporting historically special overseas Koreans.

Strengthening Support for Returning Koreans... 'The First Year of Expanding Settlement Foundations'
Next year, cooperation models with local governments and civic organizations will be strengthened to help approximately 1 million returning Koreans stably settle in domestic society.

The budget for regional domestic settlement support will be expanded from 0.69 billion won this year to 0.96 billion won next year, and support for related private organizations will also increase from 0.05 billion won to 0.15 billion won.

Furthermore, the 'OKA Young Talent Package Support Project' will be newly established for the first time, introducing a system that provides linked support from the domestic invitation of young overseas Koreans to their education, employment, and long-term residency. A budget of 3.09 billion won has been allocated for this.

Reorganizing the Global Korean Network... 'A Global Community Connected as One'
The 'Global Korean Convention,' designed to supplement the limitations of the World Korean Association Presidents' Conference, will be newly established to foster a global network encompassing overseas Koreans from diverse fields, including the next generation, business professionals, and experts.

The Continental Korean Association Presidents' Conference (0.3 billion won) will be included for the first time in 2026, boosting regional exchange activities.

Support for circuit consular services will also be expanded, with the budget for consular services that directly assist overseas Koreans who have difficulty visiting diplomatic missions increasing from 0.77 billion won this year to 0.82 billion won.

Next-Generation Identity Education... Expanding Hangeul School Support
Support for Hangeul schools, which play a core role in Korean language and identity education for the next generation of overseas Koreans, will be strengthened.

The budget for Hangeul School capacity building will increase from 18.6 billion won this year to 19.5 billion won next year, to be invested in teacher stipends and improving the learning environment.

Support for Historically Special Overseas Koreans... Expanding Sakhalin and Koryoin Projects
The Sakhalin Korean permanent return and settlement support project will be managed more comprehensively and systematically, as part of the related budget is transferred from the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the Overseas Koreans Agency. A total budget of 7.8 billion won has been allocated for next year.

Furthermore, the construction of the 'Koryoin History Museum' to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Koryoin settlement in Uzbekistan (2027) will be accelerated, with the related budget significantly increasing from 0.35 billion won this year to 2.53 billion won next year.

Strengthening Digital Administration Infrastructure... Establishing a Cyber Security System
A new Security Control Center will be established to respond to the recent increase in cyber threats. A total budget of 2.7 billion won will be invested, which is expected to enhance the safety and reliability of overseas Koreans' administration.

OKA Commissioner Kim stated, "We will transparently and substantively execute the confirmed 2026 budget to focus all efforts on resolving key issues in the Korean diaspora community," adding, "We will realize policies that are 'closer, warmer, and more trustworthy' for overseas Koreans around the world."