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The President Lee Myung-bak speaks during the opening ceremony for the World Korean Community Leaders Convention on June 23. |
Leaders from Korean communities across the world have gathered in Seoul for this week''s "World Korean Community Leaders Convention."
The annual event, now in its 10th year, kicked off in Seoul Tuesday (June 23) for a four-day schedule.
This year, the conference organized by the Overseas Koreans Foundation drew about 450 Korean community leaders from 66 countries, the largest group ever.
Overseas Koreans are estimated at seven million in 176 countries.
At the opening ceremony at a Seoul hotel, The President Lee Myung-bak welcomed the visiting overseas Koreans and called for their strengthened ties with the motherland.
In a congratulatory remark, The President Lee said the convention is a meaningful gathering to establish cooperative relationships such as this era needs, and stressed the importance of global networking.
He said if the seven million Koreans overseas and those in the country network together in an effective way, it will help all of them.
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The President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok pose with overseas Korean community leaders. |
He went on to say that the government will establish an online network by next year, through which overseas Koreans will be able to connect and exchange information with Korea and among themselves.
Lee also promised greater efforts to engage overseas Koreans and improve regulations related to their entry, residence and investment in Korea.
Topping the agenda of this year''s gathering over four days in the capital and also the city of Jecheon in Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province) is the new voting right granted to overseas Koreans to vote in national elections.
Back in February, the National Assembly granted voting rights to Korean nationals living abroad so that overseas Koreans can vote for national assembly and presidential elections.
Some 2.4 million Koreans abroad will be able to cast ballots in presidential and general elections in Korea from as early as 2012.
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During the conference, the National Election Commission is scheduled to hold a session Wednesday to explain the new election laws and voting procedures.
Participants will also discuss ways to contribute to improving Korea''s image internationally with the Presidential Council on Nation Branding, sharing its goals and strategies while asking for cooperation of overseas Koreans for the task.
By Han Aran
Korea.net Staff Writer
* source : Korea.net
