About 200 people gathered to discuss solidarity and future strategies at the World Korean Leaders’ Conference
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Hyun-soo = Korean leaders from around the world gathered in one place to discuss the future of the Korean community, including solidarity in the overseas Korean community and nurturing the next generation.
The World Korean Leaders' Conference (KILC, Chairman Chung Young-guk) held the '2026 World Korean Leaders' Conference and Overseas Koreans Information Center (OKIC) 15th Anniversary Event' at the Seoul YMCA Auditorium in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 2nd.
This convention, which had the slogan 'Empathic Companionship, Soaring Global Koreans', was attended by about 200 people, including former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, former Foreign Minister Yoo Jong-ha, former Political Affairs Minister Park Cheol-eon, and former senior vice-chairman of the National Unification Federation for Democracy.
KILC Chairman Chung Young-guk said, “This year is a meaningful year as it marks the 150th anniversary of the Ganghwa Island Treaty, the 123rd anniversary of Korean immigration, and the 89th anniversary of forced migration to the Maritime Province. We held this event by taking the tragedy that can be experienced when our country is a weak country as a lesson from history and wishing for the development of the Republic of Korea and the community of 7 million overseas Koreans.”
In her speech at the event, President Ko In-kyung (Chairman of Youngshin Academy, a school corporation) said, “Today’s competition is not about celebrating the achievements of past history,” and added, “Let’s achieve a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea and set a brilliant milestone of peace, unification, and prosperity to pass on to future generations.”
In his congratulatory address, Jeong Un-chan, Chairman of the Win-Win Growth Research Institute (former Prime Minister), emphasized, “This beautiful virtuous cycle in which Korea and overseas Koreans coexist by meeting each other’s needs is the true global practice model of shared growth.”
Park Cheol-eon, chairman of the Korean Peninsula Welfare and Unification Foundation (former Minister of State for Political Affairs), said in an encouraging speech, “The four winners of the World Korean Leader Award are true heroes of this era who have protected the pride of the nation in places no one goes and practiced infinite love for their neighbors.”
In a special lecture, Kim Ki-chan, President of President University Indonesia and Chairman of the International Association of Small and Medium Businesses (ICSB), gave a lecture on the topic, 'Is K-entrepreneurship going hand in hand with human prosperity?'
At the first World Korean Leader Award ceremony, Han Chang-woo, chairman of Japan's Maruhan Group, Park Sang-ik, former president of the World Federation of Korean Merchants, and Kim Ye-ja, standing advisor to the World Federation of International Married Women, received the 'Lifetime Dedication Service Award', and former U.S. White House Assistant Secretary for Disability Policy Park Dong-woo received the 'Pioneer Award'.
Chairman Chang-Woo Han led the formation of the World Federation of Korean Merchants in 1993, contributing to the unity of Korean merchants around the world, and was later recognized for leading the World Korean Merchants Convention of the Overseas Korean Foundation, the predecessor of the Overseas Korean Association.
Former Chairman Park Sang-ik was recognized for his contribution to uniting Korean businessmen around the world and taking the lead in expanding the global Korean economic territory.
Senior Advisor Kim Ye-ja has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and interests of the Korean-American community by building a network with mainstream American society. She established the World Association of Women in International Marriages, served as the first and second president, and played a pivotal role in developing the organization into an organization that currently has branches in 16 countries.
Former Assistant Secretary Park Dong-woo was appointed as the White House Assistant Secretary for Disability Policy during the Barack Obama administration in 2009 and was recognized for his contribution to promoting policies that increase inclusivity and accessibility and improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Yoo Jong-ha, co-chairman of the Korean People's Leader Award (former Minister of Foreign Affairs), said, "We established the award to discover overseas Koreans who are overcoming various difficulties around the world and raising the status of the Korean people, and to awaken future generations to the identity and spirit of challenge of the Korean people."
Attendees on this day adopted three resolutions: ▲ practicing carbon neutrality and eco-friendly energy conversion in response to the climate crisis and ecosystem destruction ▲ calling for the cessation of all hostile acts, such as North Korea's missile provocations and illegal landmine installation in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ▲ inheriting Korean identity and cultural heritage, establishing the identity of overseas Korean youth, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
During the free speech and exchange of participants, Pastor Kyeong-Seok Seo (Executive Chairman of the National Movement for a New Korea) and Su-Won Son, Head of the World Headquarters of the World Federation of Cultures Against Corruption, suggested various measures for the prosperity of the Korean people.
