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The 8th Global Korean Politicians Forum
Country
United States
Date
2022.12.15

The 8th Global Korean Politicians Forum, held by the Overseas Korean Politicians Council and supported by the Overseas Koreans Foundation, took place in the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, from August 16 to 19. The Overseas Korean Politicians Council is an organization founded during the first Global Korean Politicians Forum in 2007 that was held in Seoul to reinforce the political power of Koreans across the globe and foster politicians of the next generation. The current president is Canadian Senator Yonah Martin, and the theme of this forum is "Beautiful Koreans, Dreaming of Peace," with around 80 Korean politicians from all over the world participating in the event both online and offline.


Photo: Yonah Martin, President of the Overseas Korean Politicians Council, giving her opening address

Photo: Yonah Martin, President of the Overseas Korean Politicians Council, giving her opening address



Photo: Banner in front of the event site

Photo: Banner in front of the event site



On August 16, the first day of the event, a special lecture was held by Kim Sung-gon, Chairman of the Overseas Koreans Foundation. Chairman Kim stated, “The increase of Korean politicians not only represents the growing political demand of Koreans in each country but also strengthens the global image of Korea, their homeland,” adding “I sincerely hope you will all make an effort to foster Korean politicians of the future.” Also, he reminded everyone of the ‘Korean humanitarian spirit’ and claimed that the participants should all be ‘politicians who work for everyone.’


Photo: Kim Sung-gon, Chairman of the Overseas Koreans Foundation, giving his special lecture

Photo: Kim Sung-gon, Chairman of the Overseas Koreans Foundation, giving his special lecture



Before the banquet, a fusion dance was performed by ‘Korea Connection,’ to which all participants applauded the performers for their creativity in combining modern b-boy dance with the traditional music, rhythm, and movements of Korean culture.


Photo: Congratulatory performance

Photo: Congratulatory performance



The second day included three forums from the morning to the afternoon, with the first one being a place for participants to share their experiences of challenges and success regarding their struggle to empower the political voice of Korean politicians. The presenters included Steve Kang, Commissioner for the Los Angeles City Planning Committee, Benedikt Lux, a member of the Berlin City Council in Germany, Linda Lee, a member of the New York City Council, and Han Jeong-tae, the member of the Ryde City Council in Australia, gathered to share precious stories. First, Commissioner Kang introduced cases of success where he could build a foundation for more Korean politicians to be elected through unification election precincts and emphasized the importance of a strategic approach. Meanwhile, Benedikt Lux drew the attention of participants as he went beyond the theme of conventional election campaigns to stress that the reason for his success was in persuading voters by introducing them to the power of technology, capabilities, and tolerance, linking them to the challenges of climate change that all human beings face.


Photo: Linda Lee, member of the New York City Council, describing her election campaign

Photo: Linda Lee, member of the New York City Council, describing her election campaign



The second forum was a time to discuss the role of Korean politicians in spreading peace and prosperity in an international society of conflict. In particular, Melissa Lee, a member of parliament from New Zealand, made a presentation on her research and countermeasures on ‘hate crimes against Asians.’

The third forum was held as a session to share ideas on how Korean politicians should play a part in realizing the rights and interests of overseas Koreans. The most notable speech came from Choi Seok-ho, a current congressman who served as the Mayor of Irvine, California, as he declared that selecting Korea’s historical memorial dates as a resolution of the State Council contributed immensely to empowering Korean-Americans. Byun Gyeol, former aide of the Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, stated, “people became fascinated about my origin when I didn’t limit myself to being a Korean politician and tried my best to fulfill the duties to which I was assigned,” adding, “the sense of duty is what leads to the empowerment of overseas Koreans in the end.”

On the 18th, the third day of the event, participants had the chance to take a tour of the Seodaemun Prison and War Museum for them to experience Korean history and culture. Also, a banquet was held every evening, hosted by key political figures such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairperson of the Foreign and Unification Matters Committee of the National Assembly, allowing all participants to cross over the borders that might have existed in their minds to communicate and build friendship among each other.

All events were held through a three-way simultaneous interpretation of Korean, English, and Russian, with enthusiasm from participants unprecedented in any other forum. The event was highlighted by descendants of the Korean diaspora in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, as they declared, “we are standing here because the ancestors who immigrated during tragic times brought us up wonderfully.” Lisbeth Roy Gamboa Song, a participant from Mexico, stated, “the grandmother from my mother’s side was Korean, and I am the descendant of the immigrants who worked in the infamous Henequen farms,” adding, “I had the chance to visit Korea with my son. I’ve never forgotten that I am Korean, and I live by the pride of being one.”


Photo: Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and participants from the United States

Photo: Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and participants from the United States



National Assembly member Kim Seok-gi, who is also a member of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, announced that the policy to install the Overseas Koreans Administration is expected to be materialized next year and showed his confidence by stating, “the Korean government will do everything it can to constantly support the overseas Koreans who are scattered across the globe.” Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the National Assembly, received applause from participants as he encouraged them with his thunderous voice and wished his very best by urging them to continue their effort.


Photo: Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the National Assembly, together with the participants

Photo: Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the National Assembly, together with the participants



Photo: Commemorative photograph of the Global Korean Politicians Forum’s closing ceremony

Photo: Commemorative photograph of the Global Korean Politicians Forum’s closing ceremony



There were even a few participants who cried at the luncheon of farewells after all the events from the four-day trip were over. Everyone promised each other to meet again and had the time to celebrate the success of the forum.




Overseas Korean correspondent