Declaration Ceremony of the 2025–2026 Year 

of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit to Incheon

The dedication and efforts of our overseas Koreans

have made the Republic of Korea what it is today.

We warmly welcome and thank everyone who has joined us for the Declaration Ceremony 

of the Year of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit to Incheon. 

Today, we are especially honored to have participants from various regions,

including the president of the Association of Korean Residents in Europe, 

as well as representatives from the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. 

I extend a special welcome to all of you who have come a long way to Incheon.

Just a while ago, we held the opening ceremonies 

for the Overseas Korean Welcome Center and the Korean Business Center. 

Following that meaningful event, 

we now proceed with the declaration ceremony for the Year of Exchange and Visit. 

As I mentioned earlier, 

Incheon was the first departure point for overseas Koreans, wasn’t it? 

Since then, the Korean community has grown 

into a large diaspora of 7.5 million overseas Koreans across 193 countries.

You, as overseas Koreans, must have witnessed firsthand 

how much the Republic of Korea has changed, though perhaps not on a daily basis. 

How have things changed compared to 100, 50, or 30 years ago? 

Based on objective statistics, our country ranks sixth in the world 

in terms of per capita income among nations with a population exceeding 50 million. 

In addition to our economic power, the Republic of Korea ranks sixth in the world 

when considering comprehensive indexes 

that include military strength and social influence, 

following the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

How about the K-wave, K-culture, and K-pop? 

They have developed beyond our imagination. 

Korean food? There’s a huge craze going on right now. 

All these achievements are not only the results of the efforts 

of Korean citizens over a short period but also the fruits of the dedication

and hard work of our overseas Koreans. 

In that regard, I want to express my gratitude to all overseas Koreans 

and emphasize that we are now at a different starting line.

Time to Open the Future of the Republic of Korea through Incheon!

2025–2026: A Golden Opportunity for a Second Leap Forward

Today marks a new beginning with the opening 

of the Overseas Korean Welcome Center and the Korean Business Center. 

I believe the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Agency holds 

significant meaning in Korea’s development as a global nation. 

This is because we envision a future where 50 million citizens 

and 7 million overseas Koreans unite to propel the Republic of Korea 

toward another leap forward. And at the heart of it all lies Incheon. 

However, despite opening the Welcome Center, Business Center, 

and Overseas Koreans Agency and pursuing various policies, 

seeing is believing—we need people to visit and develop 

their own understanding to achieve tangible results. 

Thus, by designating 2025 and 2026 as the years for overseas Koreans to visit Incheon, 

we aim to create a valuable opportunity to open

 the future of the Republic of Korea through Incheon. 

This is the significance of today’s declaration ceremony.

Under the theme, “Opening the World and Connecting the People,” 

we aim to shape the future of the Republic of Korea through Incheon. 

So, when Incheon dreams, it becomes the future of the Republic of Korea, 

and I reiterate that this will be a precious opportunity for a new leap forward. 

Going forward, Incheon City will execute 

this ambitious plan without any interruptions. 

We are committed to becoming a Global Top Ten City, 

ensuring that our overseas Koreans can feel even more pride 

and fulfillment in their respective regions.

Feel free to make full use of the Welcome Center 

and Business Center that opened today. 

As I remarked earlier, this is just the beginning. 

We offer convenience spaces, information services, and meeting facilities. 

As you utilize these facilities, we will gradually expand them and create 

not only cultural spaces but also venues 

for economic exchange in various countries.

The key is for you to empathize with and participate 

in Incheon City’s ambitious projects so that they can be realized. 

Together with our 7 million overseas Koreans, 

we will surely make Incheon’s dreams and the Republic of Korea’s future a reality. 

Thank you.