- 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp a trip to Incheon for two nights and three days - 

- Visit to Incheon’s state-of-the-art companies and schools, accompanied by historical and cultural experiences - 

The Incheon Metropolitan Government announced the invitation of 1,200 overseas Korean teenagers to Incheon for the "2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp," hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and supervised by the Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center (OKCC).

<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok gave his welcoming speech at the “First 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp,” held on Jul. 16 at Grand Hyatt Incheon.>

Since 2001, OKA and the OKCC have promoted the “OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp” annually to lift the pride of next-generation overseas Koreans as Korean people and instill a sense of solidarity among domestic teenagers by offering an opportunity to experience Korea’s politics, economy, culture, and history.

This year, the camp invites 1,200 overseas Korean teenagers, divided into four sessions, to visit Incheon, Gyeongju, and Seoul on a six-night, seven-day trip starting Jul. 15. Being the largest camp by far in the program’s history, 600 teenagers from Incheon also joined the overseas Koreans during their two-night, three-day stay in the city.

This OKFriends Homecoming Teen Camp is the first massive event held in Incheon since OKA’s foundation in the city. For overseas Korean teenagers who were not yet familiar with Korean culture, the Incheon Metropolitan Government demonstrated the city’s vision and charm as a city of 10 million that embraces overseas Koreans.

<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is taking a commemorative photograph with other participants, including Lee Key-cheol, OKA’s Commissioner, at the “First 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp,” held on Jul. 16 at Grand Hyatt Incheon.>

During their stay in Incheon, the camp participants visited high schools within the city district (Ara High School in Seo-gu, Gyeyang High School in Gyeyang-gu) to strengthen their network with Korean students. They also took field trips to companies in biological and advanced industries (Samsung Biologics, GMTCK, Soomvi), experienced the space of the future (Inspire Le Space), and toured Incheon’s Opening Port to witness the city’s history and culture.

Meanwhile, Incheon’s specialized education program is developed and provided through cooperation with the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education.

<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok gave his welcoming speech at the “First 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp,” held on Jul. 16 at Grand Hyatt Incheon.>

The Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre gave a welcoming performance at the “First 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp,” held on Jul. 16 at Grand Hyatt Incheon.

“I welcome all of you to Incheon, Korea’s second largest metropolitan government economy and the city that soars as one of the top ten global cities. I hope that you will experience first-hand Incheon’s brand-new transformation in becoming the highest caliber city in the world,” said Mayor Yoo at the camp’s opening ceremony on the morning of Jul. 16.