Diaspora Empowerment Leadership Summit Held by the Overseas Koreans Agency
May 27 saw the commencement of the "2025 Future Leaders' Conference" at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea, attended by Commissioner Lee Sang-deok of the Overseas Koreans Agency and Korean citizens of various nationalities. The event, which gathered attendees from 20 countries, aimed to bolster the position of the global Korean diaspora.
Recent foreign and diaspora policy in South Korea has centered on strengthening global partnerships, with a goal of becoming a top 10 donor country by 2026. This push includes cultivating relationships with communities abroad, including Korean expatriates. The country is also deepening its economic and social ties in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and India, often by collaborating with the Korean diaspora.
The South Korean government has demonstrated its interest in using overseas Korean communities for business, technology transfer, and social development through initiatives such as joint seminars and investment missions, like the Korea-India Joint CSR-Economic Cooperation Seminar. Furthermore, agencies like KOTRA and the embassy are fostering collaborations in areas such as renewable energy, digital skills, smart infrastructure, and cultural exchange.
The Overseas Koreans Agency, responsible for affair of Korean diaspora, traditionally works towards preserving cultural identity, supporting education, and fostering networks among Korean communities abroad. Its goals have also included promoting remittances, supporting Korean language education, and facilitating business and academic exchanges.
While specific 2021 initiatives of the Overseas Koreans Agency were not detailed in the available sources, the broader direction of South Korea’s government, particularly in fostering global partnerships, supporting social impact initiatives, and strengthening diaspora networks, aligns with the agency’s longstanding missions. It is likely that the agency continued its focus on cultural preservation, educational support, and economic empowerment for overseas Korean communities in 2021.
- The South Korean government's focus on strengthening diaspora networks extends beyond cultural preservation, with efforts in 2021 possibly targeting economic empowerment and educational support for overseas Korean communities, as illustrated by the ongoing initiatives of the Overseas Koreans Agency.
- The strategic alliance between South Korea and international communities, as seen in the Korea-India Joint CSR-Economic Cooperation Seminar, demonstrates South Korea's commitment to international business, technology transfer, and social development in regions with a significant Korean diaspora.
- In line with South Korea's goal of becoming a top 10 donor country by 2026, the 2025 Future Leaders' Conference serves as a platform for nurturing future international leaders from the Korean diaspora, potentially shaping their roles in shaping global politics, economy, and society.
