The Overseas Koreans Agency has set its budget for next year at 136.9 billion won, marking a 21.4% increase from this year. Notably, funding for the repatriation of Sakhalin Koreans and related policies has been increased by 70%.
Kim Kyung-hyup, head of the Overseas Koreans Agency, announced this on September 3 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno, Seoul, stating, "This is the largest increase since the agency was established."
He added, "This budget is focused on addressing key issues within the Korean community and realizing an 'inclusive policy for overseas Koreans without discrimination.'"
Kim emphasized that the budget reflects the results of a comprehensive survey conducted this year on the needs of overseas Koreans. He noted that 25.5 billion won will be allocated to strengthen Korean language schools, and 4.5 billion won will be invested in revitalizing Korean community organizations, prioritizing the resolution of on-the-ground issues.
He also mentioned, "We will improve the treatment of historically significant overseas Koreans, aiming for all Sakhalin Koreans wishing to return to their homeland to do so. The budget for this initiative has been set at 13.6 billion won, a 70% increase from this year."
However, Kim expressed some disappointment, stating, "As the head of the agency, I feel that the ongoing demand for on-the-ground support has not been fully captured in this budget proposal."
Additionally, he pointed out that while the average government expenditure per citizen this year is 14 million won, the budget for the 7 million overseas Koreans amounts to only 16,000 won per person.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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