Under the slogan “With Overseas Koreans, at the Heart of Global Business,” the 22nd World Korean Business Convention, held at Jeonbuk National University in South Korea from October 22 to 24, achieved a historic milestone with $630 million in export consultations, marking the highest success in the convention’s history.

Hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency (headed by Lee Sang-deok) and Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province (Governor Kim Kwan-young), this year’s event was held for the first time in Jeonju. It brought together over 3,500 overseas Korean businesspeople and Korean entrepreneurs from around the world, and the corporate exhibition hall saw 14,000 visitors over the three-day event. Recognized as the largest Korean business gathering globally, the convention was organized by the Overseas Koreans Agency and the Korean economic organizations for overseas Koreans, with support from Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province, Jeonju City, the Korea Federation of SMEs, and the SME Distribution Center, and sponsored by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

During the convention, a total of 20,000 export consultations were held, reaching a historic sum of $630 million.

Unlike past conventions, this year’s event included programs that highlighted the traditional culture of Jeonbuk, drawing enthusiastic responses from participants. Various programs for young talent were also arranged on the university campus, including a startup competition for college students and a lecture by Dennis Hong, a globally renowned robotics expert from UCLA.

Other highlights included the Global Hansang Dream Foundation board meeting, the World Korean Business Convention advisory panel (OK Biz) appointment ceremony, the Hansang Leading CEO Forum, the Young Business Leaders Forum, and a startup pitch competition.

Through an investment promotion briefing, Jeonbuk Province presented Korean businesspeople with projects like the Saemangeum Industrial Complex development and associated investment incentives.

As the first World Korean Business Convention held in Korea since the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Agency, the event has been praised for building networks among overseas Korean entrepreneurs, Korean companies, and young talent. This collaboration has positioned the convention as a global business hub for companies and youth aiming to expand onto the world stage.