The "2025 Global Korean Next Generation Conference," aimed at fostering identity and enhancing capabilities among young overseas Koreans, including politicians, descendants of independence activists, and international organization employees from various professions, kicked off in Incheon on May 27, Korean time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Koreans Agency held the opening ceremony at Songdo Convensia in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, under the slogan "Koreans in a Connected World, A Greater Leap." The four-day event welcomed 62 next-generation Korean leaders from 26 countries, actively engaged in fields such as politics, economics, law, medicine, and the arts.

Notable participants included David Kim, Seattle’s international partnerships and public relations officer and former political deputy director for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign; Olga Min, a fourth-generation Koryoin business analyst and descendant of patriot Lee Kwal (1898–1963), who served in the Korean Provisional Government’s diplomacy; Sol Carola Song, a physician and assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hannah Kang, fluent in six languages and working at a Norwegian financial firm; and Sua Choi, who works on Gaza-related issues at the UN World Food Programme’s Palestine office.

Lee Sang-deok, head of the Overseas Koreans Agency, said during the opening ceremony, “First-generation immigrants endured hardships to establish themselves under challenging conditions. Their efforts and dedication have produced outstanding successors like you.” He emphasized, “You are not strangers to Korea but valuable assets to both your local communities and Korea, capable of contributing to and leading change in Korea as collaborators.”

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated in his congratulatory remarks, “Incheon is the starting point of overseas Korean history and the hub of activities with the Overseas Koreans Agency. I hope this gathering in Incheon becomes a new opportunity and source of hope.” Rep. Kim Gun, secretary of the ruling People Power Party for the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, urged participants to “become mentors and leaders for the next generation in their regions,” while Lee Ki-heon, senior vice-chair of the Democratic Party’s Global Korean Democratic Conference, requested they “play a role in each country as Korea advances toward becoming a global powerhouse.”

Following the opening ceremony, the documentary musical film Hawaii Yeonga, depicting 120 years of Korean immigration history in Hawaii, was screened. Directed by Lee Jin-young and released in Korea late last year, the film explores the lives of early overseas Koreans, including immigrants who left Joseon for Hawaii in 1902 and their descendants.