By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
The administration plans to set up an online communication network for Koreans living abroad to help them share information and build friendships, Euh Yoon-dae, chairman of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding, said Wednesday.
The move is part of efforts to promote exchanges between Koreans in and out of the country and strengthen relationships with overseas Korean communities in a bid to upgrade the country's image and reputation abroad.
Euh also stressed that Korea should strengthen exchange programs for the younger generation of overseas Koreans to help them live with ``pride and identity.''
The chairman made the remarks in a lecture to about 450 leaders of overseas Korean communities, who have gathered in Seoul for a four-day conference. The meeting will continue until tomorrow.
``Overseas Koreans are our civic ambassadors who spread Korea's culture and tradition around the world,'' Euh said. ``In this regard, associations of overseas Koreans play a crucial role in raising Korea's international status.''
The former Korea University president said his council will cooperate with overseas groups to create a Web site where all Koreans, no matter where they are living, can share information and communicate with each other.
Establishing a database and communication network for overseas Koreans is one of the council's 10 mid-term goals. Launched in January at the instruction of President Lee Myung-bak, it announced bold measures in March to enhance Korea's global image.
Under the plan, Korea will launch exchange programs for young Asian leaders; promote taekwondo and the Korean language; dispatch 3,000 volunteers abroad annually; increase economic aid to poor countries; and expand programs for foreigners and multi-cultural families here.
``We are focusing on programs to help young Koreans abroad build bridges of friendship between Korea and the nations where they reside and work,'' Euh said.
The conference has drawn keen interest from political parties here as it is the first gathering of overseas Koreans since the National Assembly passed a revision bill in February granting them absentee voting.
Some 2.4 million Koreans abroad are expected to cast ballots in presidential and general elections here beginning 2012. The number represents 6.3 percent of the country's 38 million voters.
Organizers said this year's conference had the largest number of attendees ever, reflecting growing interest here in the roles overseas Koreans could play in politics and the economy here.