- President Seo Jung-il: "We must foster the identity and political power of the next generation... and significantly expand the Overseas Koreans Agency budget."

- Overseas Koreans Agency Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyeop attends immediately after returning from the presidential tour: "Bringing 260,000 Korean-Americans together as one."

- U.S. Embassy: "The Korean-American community is living proof connecting South Korea and the United States."

"Within 30 years, we will make someone who looks like us the President of the United States."

These were the opening remarks by Song Pol, Chairman of the Preparation Committee (and Chairman of the Board of the Federation of Korean Associations, USA), at the "2026 Night of the USA Korean Associations" held on the evening of September 26, the day after Chuseok, at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

Hosted by the Federation of Korean Associations, USA (President Seo Jung-il, hereinafter referred to as the USA Federation), the event took place on the eve of the Integrated World Korean Community Convention, which opened on September 27 in Incheon. Around 120 leaders, including heads from a pool of 180 regional Korean associations across the United States, gathered to discuss solidarity, rights enhancement, next-generation development, and ties with the motherland.

The event featured an opening declaration, national anthems, welcoming and congratulatory remarks from notable figures, and a keynote speech by Kim Beom-su, Director of the Seoul National University Institute for Peace and Unification Studies. Marissa Trujillo, Deputy Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, also attended to deliver an encouraging message on behalf of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel.

Advancing Political Clout and Preparing for the Next 100 Years

Highlighting the growing political influence of the Korean-American community, Chairman Song emphasized, "It is crucial that regional Korean associations across the 50 U.S. states and 150 regions unite organically with a strong sense of community." Reflecting on the 123-year history of Korean immigration to the U.S., he added, "While early immigrant generations focused on establishing roots in American society, we must now pool our capabilities to elevate the status of the Korean-American community to the next level."

This sense of purpose was echoed by USA Federation President Seo Jung-il. Referencing the early sugarcane plantation immigration to Hawaii in 1903, President Seo stated, "Over the next 20 to 30 years, our descendants will shine even brighter in politics, economy, society, and culture. We are working hard toward the day when they become masters of the United States while maintaining their Korean identity and pride as citizens of the Republic of Korea."

In particular, fostering the next generation's identity was named as a core initiative of the federation. He urged regional leaders across the 50 states to help younger generations act as bridges connecting South Korea and the United States.

"The Biggest Issue is Financial Fragility; The Overseas Koreans Agency Budget Must Expand"

President Seo also dedicated significant attention to the vulnerable financial foundations of regional Korean associations.

"The biggest problem for Korean associations is their financial fragility, a limitation they have yet to escape," he pointed out, noting that local chapters have seen little tangible support since the launch of the Overseas Koreans Agency.

"The budget for the Overseas Koreans Agency, which encompasses 7.5 million overseas Koreans, should ideally reach around 1 trillion won," he argued. "Budgets related to Korean associations, which perform the vital task of expanding our economic territory, must be drastically increased."

He further called for improvements to overseas voting procedures, the lowering of the age limit for dual citizenship to 40, and the simplification of investment regulations and procedures for diaspora members looking to invest in South Korea.

Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyeop: "Uniting 260,000 Korean-Americans"

Arriving at the venue straight from Incheon International Airport after accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on his state visits to the United Nations General Assembly in New York and Mexico, Overseas Koreans Agency Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyeop emphasized the solidarity of the 2.6 million Korean-Americans.

"The relationship between the U.S. and South Korea holds absolute influence over Korean Peninsula issues, security, and economic ties," Commissioner Kim said, noting that Korean-Americans account for roughly 2.6 million out of the 7 million overseas Koreans worldwide.

"The 7 million overseas Koreans are private diplomats for international cooperation, pioneers of export markets, expanders of economic territory, and spreaders of the Korean Wave through K-food and K-culture," he evaluated. He stressed that a well-organized and unified community is essential to exerting real influence.

U.S. Embassy Message: "Living Proof of the ROK-U.S. Alliance"

Delivering a message on behalf of U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel, Deputy Counselor Marissa Trujillo shared the Ambassador’s own family immigration history and praised the century-long contributions of Korean-Americans to U.S. society across business, local communities, and military service.

The message emphasized that the ROK-U.S. alliance extends far beyond security, touching on "peace, prosperity, innovation, trade, opportunity, and people." It described Korean-Americans as living proof of the enduring bond between the two nations, strengthening the U.S. while maintaining close ties to Korea.

Keynote Speech: "Guaranteeing Practical Voting Rights via Mail-In and Electronic Voting"

A major focal point of the event was overseas voting rights. In his keynote address, Professor Kim Beom-su of Seoul National University pointed out the structural limitations of the current overseas electoral system.

While the system was introduced in 2012 to ensure that all South Korean citizens abroad can participate in national decisions, Professor Kim noted that voters in vast countries like the U.S. often have to drive over 10 hours or incur hefty travel and lodging costs just to reach a polling station.

"Telling busy self-employed workers, students, and elderly citizens that they have the right to vote, but must drive 10 hours to do so, is practically telling them not to vote," he criticized. He proposed mail-in and electronic/online voting as viable solutions, noting that digital technologies like mobile IDs and financial authentication can effectively address security and proxy-voting concerns.

Following the event in Seoul, the USA Federation carried these pressing agendas—including voting rights expansion, dual citizenship, next-generation development, and increased government support—into the Integrated World Korean Community Convention held in Incheon starting September 27.

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