President Lee: "Overseas Missions Must Serve as Platforms for Koreans"… First Community Meeting in Belgium

President Lee's First Schedule on European Tour

"Ambassadors Must Also Address the Concerns of Overseas Koreans"

Emphasizing the Role of Overseas Missions in Cultural and Industrial Exchange

"Koreans Abroad Are Civilian Diplomats Who Shine a Light on the Nation"

Full-Fledged Summit Diplomacy with Belgium and the EU Begins

On June 9 (local time), President Lee Jae-myung began his first official schedule during his visit to Belgium by meeting with local Korean residents, where he outlined his vision to expand the role of overseas diplomatic missions beyond intergovernmental diplomacy, transforming them into platforms that connect Korean communities and facilitate cultural and industrial exchanges. This marks the first time a presidential community meeting for overseas Koreans has been held in Belgium, a key European hub where both the EU and NATO headquarters are located.

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a greeting speech at the Korean expatriate dinner meeting held at a hotel in Brussels, Belgium on the 9th (local time). 2026.6.10 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

At the dinner meeting with the Korean community held at a hotel in Brussels, President Lee stated, "Until now, the role of overseas diplomatic missions has been largely limited to handling official work between governments, but from now on, they should also serve as platforms for cultural industries and for overseas Koreans." Referring to the role of the ambassador to Belgium, he likened it to that of a resident center chief in Korea, saying, "The ambassador must listen to the opinions of local residents and resolve any inconveniences they face."

Attending the meeting were Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac, Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, Overseas Koreans Agency Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyup, and Ambassador Lee Byung-do to Belgium, the EU, and NATO, along with about 50 members of the Korean community in Belgium. Among the attendees, 15 were adoptees. At the photo wall and backdrop of the dinner venue, the phrases "Belgian Korean Community Meeting" and "Koreans around the world are the driving force behind Korea's great leap forward" were displayed.

President Lee explained that the Korean community in Belgium, including both Korean nationals and overseas Koreans, numbers about 5,000. He also noted, "Belgium participated in the Korean War, and at the time, 106 Belgians died in action. When you compare that number, 5,000 Korean residents is by no means small." He continued, "When you live overseas, you often become more patriotic, and the way you are treated depends on Korea's international standing and reputation. That is why Korea must do well."

President Lee explained that since his inauguration, he has instructed the heads of overseas diplomatic missions to increase contact with local Koreans and gather their suggestions and concerns. "We gathered opinions from around the world, but there were only about 1,200 responses. In my view, it should have been at least ten times higher," he said. He went on, "There must be many requests from those living in Belgium regarding what role the Korean government or diplomatic missions should play. We must address all of those concerns until there are none left."

Addressing the Korean community, President Lee praised them as "great civilian diplomats who are shining a light on Korea." He stated, "Korea is a trading nation and must engage with the world. While official relations between nations are important, so too is cooperation in the private sector." He added, "Building a proud Korea is the best way to benefit all of you."

In her welcoming remarks, Lim Eun-hee, President of the Korean Association in Belgium, stated, "You are the first president to arrange a meeting with the Korean community during a visit to Belgium. Although the Korean community in Belgium is small, it has grown into a strong community, and we will continue to serve as a bridge between the two countries." Kim Min-su, Senior Researcher at IMEC, spoke about the importance of investment in science and pure science, Lee Yoon-kyung, a Korean cuisine instructor at the Korea Cultural Center in Belgium, described her experiences promoting Korean food locally, and Sophie Jonot, President of the Korean Adoptee Association, discussed strengthening the ties between adoptees and Korea.

In his closing remarks, President Lee noted the high proportion of adoptees in the Belgian Korean community and asked Kim Kyung-hyup, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, to ensure there is no lack of support in helping adoptees reconnect with their roots. During the meeting, Park Yeram, principal flutist at La Monnaie Royal Opera House in Belgium, performed a solo medley including Mozart's Serenade, Jindo Arirang, and Gyeonggi Arirang.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, visiting Belgium, are seen disembarking from Air Force One at Melsbroek Air Base in Brussels on the 9th (local time). June 10, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

Meanwhile, on June 10 (local time), President Lee will continue a series of summit diplomacy events with Belgium and the EU. He will hold a Korea-Belgium summit at the Belgian Prime Minister's residence, followed by a meeting with the King of Belgium. He will also attend official events at the EU Council building in Brussels, including an expanded summit and a signing ceremony for agreements between Korea and the EU.

At the Korea-Belgium summit, President Lee will discuss ways to expand cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthen the foundation for Korean companies to enter Europe, recognizing Belgium as a logistics hub in Europe and a country with advanced chemical and bio industries. In the subsequent summit with the EU, discussions will focus on broadening export opportunities for Korean companies, improving the business environment for Korean companies in Europe, as well as addressing issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, energy security, core supply chains, and responses to transnational crimes such as drugs and terrorism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.