7 million overseas Koreans to gather in Songdo for 'World Korean Week' opening Sunday

Korean community leaders, diaspora business figures and next-generation leaders from around the world are converging on Songdo, Incheon.

The Overseas Koreans Agency announced Monday that it will hold "World Korean Week" at Songdo Convensia in Incheon from Sunday through Oct. 1, ahead of World Koreans Day on Oct. 5.

This year's event will feature a series of gatherings — the World Korean Association Presidents' Conference, the World Korean Business Convention, the World Korean Next Generation Conference and the Korean Festival. About 1,300 overseas Koreans from fields including business, culture, science and education are expected to attend.

The program is designed to allow participants from one event to take part in others and to meet with the Korean public. Organizers said the aim is to connect the diaspora community across regions, fields and generations, and to channel the voices of overseas Koreans into policy.

Particularly notable is that major overseas Korean events, which have until now been held separately, will be brought together for the first time. The association presidents' conference, the business convention and the next-generation conference had previously been held at different times and venues, limiting interaction among participants. The combined format is an attempt to unite diaspora networks on a single stage and link policy proposals with opportunities for Korean companies to expand abroad.

On Sunday, Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyup will preside over a diaspora town hall meeting, the 20th World Koreans Day ceremony and a joint opening event. The town hall will center on the results of a nationwide diaspora grievance survey — the first conducted since the launch of the current government — with officials and overseas Koreans exchanging views on the findings. On Monday evening, a Korean Festival featuring artists including Sandara Park and Gummy will take place.

The 24th World Korean Business Convention, the centerpiece economic event, runs from Sunday through Tuesday. Under the slogan "Irreplaceable Korean Diaspora, Irreplaceable Korea," about 3,000 business figures from home and abroad are expected to attend, exploring export consultations, investment opportunities and avenues for overseas expansion.

The corporate exhibition hall will feature more than 300 companies across 340 booths, with displays focused on high-demand sectors including K-food, K-beauty and K-biotech. More than 150 buyers — including major retailers from Vietnam, Malaysia and the United States — will hold one-on-one export consultations with Korean small and medium-sized enterprises.

"The 7 million overseas Koreans are a precious asset connecting Korea with the world," Commissioner Kim said. "I hope this gathering will be a place where the voices of our diaspora translate into policy, and where the networks of Korean business leaders open new doors for Korean companies abroad."