The '2026 World Korean Presidents' Conference', where Korean-American presidents from around the world gathered in one place to discuss pending issues in the Korean community and seek future development directions, opened at Songdo Convensia in Incheon on the 27th.
This year's competition is significant in that it is the first competition to be held by breaking away from the existing government-led management method and strengthening the actual authority of the private steering committee.
About 380 people, including presidents of Korean associations in each country and presidents and executives of Korean Associations in each continent, will participate in the competition, which will be held until the 29th.
In particular, it will be held as the first event of 'World Korean Week', which was designated for the first time this year, and will lead to major Korean community events such as the World Korean Business Convention, World Korean Next Generation Conference, and Korean Festival.
The opening ceremony, held with the slogan 'Irreplaceable Korean President, Irreplaceable Korea', was attended by Kim Kyung-hyeop, head of the Overseas Korean Association, Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Park Chan-dae, World Korean Presidents Conference Steering Committee Chairman Ko Sang-gu, and co-chairs Lee Seok-ro and Kim Ki-young.
The competition began with a general meeting where Korean American presidents discussed common issues, followed by a keynote lecture by Celltrion Chairman Seo Jeong-jin, an opening ceremony, and sponsorship to help Koreans.
Co-Chairman Seok-ro Lee said, "I hope that this year's convention will be an opportunity to share the experience and wisdom of each region and seek ways to develop the Korean American Association together." He added, "We must strive to ensure that the next generation of Korean Americans play a leading role, and the Korean American Association must raise a firm and clear voice in expanding the allowance of multiple nationalities and improving overseas elections to guarantee suffrage."
In his welcoming address, Commissioner Kim Gyeong-hyeop emphasized, “The 7 million overseas Koreans are valuable global assets and partners of the Republic of Korea, and private diplomats who serve as bridges for international cooperation.” He added, “The Korean Association has played a central role in representing the Korean community by region and country.”
He went on to say, “The process in which the presidents of Korean associations in each region share their awareness of issues and put their heads together is the moment when the blueprint for the Korean community is drawn. We will provide strong support so that the capabilities of 50 million people and the experiences and networks of the 7 million Korean community can be connected to achieve mutual growth.”
Steering Committee Chairman Koh Sang-gu said, "This is a historic first competition that is being held outside of government control and transferred to the private sector for the first time. We will expand and develop it beyond a simple place for exchange into a core platform for the actual global Korean network."
Mayor Park Chan-dae said, "In 2022, right here in Songdo, the presidents of the Korean Association demanded with one voice the establishment of the Office of Overseas Koreans, and now we are welcoming you in the city where the Office of Overseas Koreans is located. Incheon will be with you as a strong bridge connecting your compatriots and your home country and a hometown where you can return and rest at any time."
On the 28th, the 20th World Korean Day commemoration ceremony, discussions on regional issues, and presentations on best practices from Korean associations will be held, and a general meeting will be held on the 29th. Town hall meetings to listen to complaints and suggestions related to policies for overseas Koreans and intergenerational communication programs will also be prepared.
