SIHEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – The Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), headed by Commissioner Lee Sang-deok, has announced a significant step towards enhanced support for Koreans residing in South Korea through a collaborative agreement with Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province. The partnership aims to leverage the expertise of the newly established OKA and the on-the-ground experience of Siheung City to ensure the stable integration and well-being of this growing demographic.
Deputy Commissioner of the OKA, Byun Cheol-hwan, met with Siheung Mayor Lim Byeong-taek on April 2nd at the Siheung City Hall. During their meeting, both leaders acknowledged the increasing presence of overseas Koreans in South Korea and recognized their potential contribution to addressing critical national issues such as declining birthrates, an aging population, and regional depopulation. They affirmed the importance of these individuals as integral members of Korean society.
Siheung City has already demonstrated a proactive approach to fostering an inclusive environment for its diverse population. Noteworthy initiatives highlighted during the meeting include the development of a specialized school platform designed to support the educational needs of children from foreign backgrounds, the establishment of a dedicated global subcommittee within the Jeongwangbon-dong Resident Autonomy Committee to promote intercultural exchange, and tailored Korean language education programs primarily catering to the Chinese Korean community. These initiatives serve as exemplary models for building strong foundations of intercultural solidarity at the local level.
Deputy Commissioner Byun emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating, "Historically, support for Koreans residing domestically has been primarily managed by individual local governments. However, with the launch of the Overseas Koreans Agency, we now have a unique opportunity to combine the Agency's specialized knowledge regarding overseas Koreans with the practical experience of local entities like Siheung City. This synergy will undoubtedly lead to more effective and comprehensive settlement support for our fellow Koreans."
Mayor Lim expressed his appreciation for the OKA's proactive stance, noting Siheung's rapidly increasing multicultural population. "Siheung City is experiencing a significant influx of both foreign nationals and overseas Koreans of Chinese descent. Currently, registered foreign residents and overseas Koreans with foreign nationality constitute a substantial 12%, or 70,000 individuals, of our total population of 600,000," Mayor Lim stated. "We are truly grateful and reassured by the Overseas Koreans Agency's commitment to actively promote the support of domestic Koreans, a group that has often been overlooked in past national policies."
In a concrete step towards fulfilling its mandate, the Overseas Koreans Agency will initiate infrastructure development projects this year specifically aimed at supporting domestic Koreans. Siheung City has already secured funding through a public contest under this initiative and plans to implement a range of beneficial programs. These will include educational workshops on labor laws and taxation, vocational training and Korean language courses, and community-building events designed to foster social harmony and integration.
This partnership between the Overseas Koreans Agency and Siheung City signals a growing recognition of the vital role that resident Koreans play in South Korean society and a commitment to providing them with the necessary support for successful integration and contribution to the nation's progress.
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