Lee: "The Republic of Korea Will Return the Devotion of 80 Years Given by Koreans in Japan in Even Greater Measure"

Commemorative Meeting for the 80th Anniversary of Mindan
Appreciation for Protecting the Rights of the Diaspora and Contributing to the Development of the Homeland
"Opening a New Chapter in Korea-Japan Relations"
Emphasis on Supporting and

President Lee Jae-myung said on the 7th, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan), “We will work to repay, on an even greater scale, the love and devotion you have shown Korea over the past 80 years.” His remarks honored the dedication of Korean residents in Japan, who have protected the rights and interests of their community and contributed to Korea’s development despite discrimination and adversity in Japanese society, while emphasizing their role in advancing Korea-Japan relations and the government’s support.

President Lee Jae-myung delivers a welcoming speech at the 80th anniversary meeting of the Korean Residents Union in Japan held at the Blue House on October 7, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

At a meeting commemorating Mindan’s 80th anniversary, held that morning at the Blue House guesthouse, President Lee said, “The growth and development of Korea that we enjoy today bear the blood and sweat of Korean residents in Japan and their forebears, who supported our country from Japan while worrying about its future.”

President Lee cited the nine overseas diplomatic missions donated by Korean residents in Japan as symbols of their dedication. “Mindan has been a steadfast pillar of support for Korean residents in Japanese society,” he said. “For many years, it has protected the rights and interests of the community in the face of many hardships and discrimination. Whenever difficulties arose between Korea and Japan, you have done an excellent job of serving as a bridge between the peoples of the two countries.” He added, “Korea will not forget that history.”

He also stressed that the role of Korean residents in Japan is becoming increasingly important in the development of Korea-Japan relations. “Japan was the first country I visited for a bilateral trip after taking office,” President Lee said. “Since then, Korea and Japan have built trust through shuttle diplomacy between their leaders and are opening a new chapter in relations.” He added, “To advance Korea-Japan relations, the role of Korean residents in Japan, who understand both countries better than anyone and can connect the two societies, is becoming even more important.”

He also expressed particular interest in generational change within the Korean community in Japan and in fostering the next generation. “Mindan, too, is at an important juncture: it must build a new 80 years on the foundation of its history over the past 80 years,” President Lee said. “I hope Mindan will take the lead in helping the changing Korean community in Japan remain closely connected as one, across generations and backgrounds.”

He particularly emphasized, “The next generation must be nurtured and supported to ensure the Korean community in Japan continues to thrive. Please provide active support so that young people can take pride in their roots and grow into leaders in the community and steadfast bridges connecting Korea and Japan.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing support. “We will do our utmost to ensure that Korean residents in Japan can live without inconvenience in the places they call home,” President Lee said. “Please speak candidly about the difficulties and concerns you face on the ground, as well as your proposals for Mindan’s future, and the government will carefully attend to its responsibilities.”

Kim Ijung, Head of the Central Headquarters of the Korean Residents Union in Japan, is delivering a greeting at a meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the union, held at the Blue House on the 7th, presided over by President Lee Jae-myung. 2026.10.7 Yonhap News Agency

At the meeting, a request was also made to record the contributions and sacrifices of Korean residents in Japan for their homeland in Korea’s history textbooks. “Mindan has a long-standing project it has hoped to pursue for 80 years,” said Kim Ijung, head of Mindan’s Central Headquarters. “We ask that a page in Korea’s history textbooks be devoted to the history of Korean residents in Japan and Mindan, so that people in Korea and abroad, including Korean residents in Japan, can remember it.”

“We also hope the textbooks will include the contributions and sacrifices of Korean residents in Japan for their homeland,” he said. “That would be the best way to repay the first-generation forebears who devoted themselves to their homeland and the Korean community and passed away.” Kim also noted that about half of those attending were young people from the third and fourth generations of Korean residents in Japan, and said he hoped the meeting would give the next generation fresh impetus.

Founded in 1946, Mindan has served as a focal point for protecting the rights and interests of Korean residents in Japan, preserving their national identity, and expanding exchanges between Korea and Japan over the past 80 years. The event was attended by 96 people, including representatives of Mindan’s central and local organizations and youth groups, as well as Kim Kyung-hyup, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency.

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