Ruling Party and Government to Announce Location of Overseas Koreans Office Soon... Basic Act to Be Enacted

Situation Check Meeting on the 12th for the Overseas Koreans Office by the Party and Government
"Location Announcement Soon... Basic Law to Pass Within This Month"

The ruling party and the government held a party-government consultation on the 12th to decide the location of the Overseas Korean Agency and agreed to announce it soon.

The People Power Party and the government held a party-government consultation at the National Assembly on the same day to review the launch status of the Overseas Korean Agency and gathered opinions on the location where the agency will be established.

Park Dae-chul, the chairman of the Policy Committee, said at a briefing after the consultation, "The party and government have reached considerable agreement today regarding the location issue," adding, "The official launch is scheduled for June 5, and to ensure there are no setbacks, the location will be finalized and announced shortly."

The Overseas Korean Agency will provide civil services such as consular, legal affairs, military service, and education, and will carry out existing projects of the Overseas Koreans Foundation, including exchanges and cooperation with overseas Koreans and organizations, network activation, and next-generation Korean education. During the last presidential election, both candidates Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung promised to establish the Overseas Korean Agency, and on February 27 of this year, the amendment to the Government Organization Act, which includes the establishment of the Overseas Korean Agency, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Park stated, "Since the Overseas Korean Agency is a newly established government organization, the party and government agreed that the most appropriate region is one that meets various criteria such as work efficiency, accessibility for overseas Koreans, consistency of government organization, regional relevance and symbolism, and balanced regional development."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed last month that "establishing the agency in Seoul is appropriate," considering the convenience of the agency's work and accessibility for overseas Koreans. However, multiple local governments, including Incheon and Gwangju, are currently hoping to host the Overseas Korean Agency.

Regarding this, Foreign Minister Park Jin said, "Various criteria have been evaluated and in-depth discussions have been held regarding the location, and many opinions have been collected," adding, "We plan to make a final decision by comprehensively considering all factors."

Regarding the employment succession of existing Overseas Koreans Foundation employees, Chairman Park said, "For the current 72 foundation employees, employment succession and recruitment procedures will be carried out separately, and once the location is finalized, these procedures are expected to begin around April 17."

He also explained, "Along with the establishment of the Overseas Korean Agency, the party and government have agreed to promptly complete the enactment of the Overseas Korean Basic Act, which is necessary for legal support, and to proceed with the necessary preparatory procedures."

Kim Seok-ki, a lawmaker in charge of promoting the establishment of the Overseas Korean Agency within the party, said in his opening remarks, "I proposed the Overseas Korean Basic Act, which passed the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's bill subcommittee and is expected to pass the plenary session today," adding, "We plan to ensure it passes the plenary session in April without fail, so that all preparations are on track for the launch on June 5."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.