Incheon's Yoo wants new expat agency in his city

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok speaks during a press conference marking his 100 day in office on Thursday at Incheon City Hall. [YONHAP]

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said he wants a newly-established agency for Koreans abroad to be based in his western port city.

Yoo held a press conference marking the first 100 days of his second term on Thursday at Incheon City Hall. Yoo was reelected in June after a hiatus of four years, following his previous term from 2014 to 2018.

“Incheon is the ideal place for the agency for Koreans abroad that has been newly established by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration,” Yoo told the press Thursday. “I will drive efforts [for its being headquartered in Incheon.]”

The Yoon administration confirmed a restructuring plan Thursday that includes abolishing the gender equality ministry and establishing a new agency dedicated to overseas Koreans under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agency will oversee tasks related to overseas Koreans that were previously divided between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (assistance for overseas Koreans), the Ministry of Justice (immigration and legal status), the Ministry of Education (education for overseas Koreans) and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (assistance for stays in Korea.)

Referring to the 16th Korean Day ceremony held Wednesday, which was held in Incheon for the first time after previously being held in Seoul, Yoo said that Incheon could be an advanced base for overseas Koreans.

“The Songdo American Town [a residential block for overseas Koreans], whose name has been changed to Global City, is now in the second phase,” Yoo said. “From now on, Incheon will [build] a global power with compatriots residing around the world and not just in the United States.”

Yoo talked about his efforts to boost the city’s global standing.

During a trip in September, the mayor delivered a keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane, Australia and promoted his city’s safety. He also visited the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) headquarters in Singapore and met with the executive director to explain that Incheon is the best city in Korea to hold its annual leaders summit in 2025, which will bring together leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific economies.

Yoo also stressed that Incheon and China have a “special connection” and potential for future development.

“Restoring the In-China Project held during my previous term in office, I recently held the In-China Forum and gave a speech there,” Yoo said. “I am maintaining close relationships with officials from China [including the Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming.]”

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]