(SEOUL, Oct. 23 TexasN) —
Kim Kyung-hyup, head of South Korea’s Overseas Koreans Agency, called on next-generation Korean American business leaders to take an active role in fostering solidarity between Korea and overseas Korean communities.
Speaking to members of the Innovation & Growth Network (IGN) — a next-generation leadership group under the Federation of Korean American Chambers of Commerce (FKACC-USA) — Kim said, “You are the future leaders of the Korean business network. I ask you to take the lead in uniting with both Korean society and the Korean diaspora.”
The meeting took place Wednesday at the Overseas Koreans Welcome Center in Yeonsu District, Incheon, during the delegation’s visit to Korea.
IGN: A New Generation of Global Korean Business Leaders
Established during the 23rd World Korean Business Convention, IGN serves as a global network of emerging Korean American entrepreneurs under FKACC-USA.
The organization, consisting of about 60 members across 12 U.S. states, focuses on supporting Korean startups and SMEs, hosting Korea–U.S. economic forums, and running mentorship and education programs linking senior and junior overseas Korean business leaders.
These efforts aim to leverage the capabilities of next-generation Korean entrepreneurs to drive business growth in both countries.
During the meeting, Kim emphasized the close connection between Korea’s image and that of the overseas Korean community.
“The image of the homeland is directly linked to that of the diaspora, and vice versa,” he said. “Korea and overseas Koreans share one destiny — we move forward together.”
Kim also noted the challenges of global supply-chain realignment and rising protectionism, stressing that “these changes demand joint preparation and cooperation.”
“Korea Must Be a Global Hub, Not an Isolated Island”
Kim said South Korea must serve as a “forward base for global engagement,” stressing that overcoming the peninsula’s division and establishing peace would spur growth for both the Korean economy and the diaspora.
“Korea should no longer remain an isolated island,” he said. “By connecting to the continent, the oceans, and the wider world, both the homeland and overseas Koreans can achieve transformative growth.”
Lee Chang-heon, an IGN director and retail business owner from Arkansas, said the group would “create strong synergy for advancing the Korean economy and global networks,” expressing hope to “work with the Overseas Koreans Agency to identify areas of collaboration and turn them into concrete initiatives.”
This was the first official meeting hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency for IGN members.
During the session, Director Min-chul Kim of the agency’s Exchange and Cooperation Bureau outlined the agency’s key programs and ongoing initiatives.
Catherine Wahrmund amiangs0210@gmail.com
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