Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, unveiled specific pledges on the 17th to significantly enhance the role of the Overseas Koreans Agency and strengthen the status of the approximately 7 million overseas Koreans worldwide.
On the same day, Candidate Kim promised during his first broadcast speech targeting overseas citizens, “We will strengthen the role and functions of the Overseas Koreans Agency to ensure that we provide timely and proper assistance to our fellow nationals.”
The Overseas Koreans Agency, established under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, launched in June 2023 to provide a 'one-stop' administrative service by integrating the affairs related to overseas Koreans that had been dispersed among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Koreans Foundation, and other organizations. The basic law for overseas Koreans has been in effect since November 2023.
Candidate Kim stated that he would provide educational opportunities, such as 'Finding My Roots' and 'Visiting the Homeland Program,' to foster the Korean identity of the next generation of overseas Koreans, and expand scholarship programs for overseas Koreans. He also outlined plans to increase investment in Korean language schools and provide more training opportunities for Korean language school teachers in their home country.
In addition, he promised to create a collaborative framework through local government and overseas Korean community linkage projects, to strengthen the 'Next Generation Overseas Korean Network' by building networks of overseas Koreans by region, sector, and generation, and to increase global business and employment opportunities.
He also introduced measures to enhance the pride of overseas Koreans, such as establishing 'Overseas Koreans Day' and the 'Overseas Korean of the Year Award.' Furthermore, he stated that he would strengthen tailored support for overseas Koreans who live with historical scars like Koreans from Sakhalin, Korean compatriots, atomic bomb victims, and workers dispatched to Germany.
Candidate Kim emphasized, “I will establish a strong consolidation that connects the homeland and the countries of residence so that the 7 million fellow nationals can hold hands and move forward into the future.”
Voting for the 21st presidential election abroad will take place from the 20th to the 25th at diplomatic missions around the world.