President Lee Jae-myung met with Brazilian Koreans on July 28, stating that he has instructed diplomatic missions to engage more with local communities and listen to their concerns.
During a luncheon in a hotel in São Paulo, where the largest Korean community in South America is located, President Lee remarked, "Why does the state exist? It is here to solve your difficulties and provide assistance."
About 200 members of the Korean community, including representatives from the Brazilian Korean Association and the Rio de Janeiro Korean Association, as well as individuals from various sectors such as economics, law, education, culture, and the arts, attended the event.
President Lee encouraged ambassadors and consuls to meet frequently with expatriates and overseas citizens, stating, "I have told them to ensure that our diplomatic missions are not seen as merely existing without purpose. They should meet and listen actively."
He also expressed a commitment to addressing issues related to local government and systems through diplomatic channels, emphasizing that resolving matters through official routes is often more effective than individuals filing complaints directly.
"If you present the difficulties you face regularly, the government will strive to resolve or alleviate them," he assured, reiterating his promise to incorporate community feedback into policies for overseas citizens and to utilize it in foreign policy.
President Lee made it clear that the meeting would not be a one-sided affair. He acknowledged that past gatherings often left attendees feeling like they were merely there to listen to the president speak. "I want to avoid that," he said, inviting participants to share their experiences and suggestions freely.
He also explained the rationale behind his active overseas visits since the beginning of his term. "Meetings between heads of state greatly aid economic cooperation, security collaboration, and civilian exchanges," he noted. "Rather than just making a formal visit, building genuine trust can quickly improve the situation for businesses and expatriates in the region."
President Lee emphasized the importance of visiting many countries early in his term to normalize or deepen relations, stating, "It is much harder to create new opportunities later in my term."
According to a written briefing from Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, the meeting began with a three-minute documentary summarizing the official history of Korean immigration to Brazil, which started in 1963. The film depicted how the community settled in a foreign environment and the generational changes that occurred.
During the event, President Lee personally presented awards to Korean immigrants who settled in Brazil after the Korean War, descendants of independence activists, and first-generation agricultural immigrants. The awards recognized their contributions, stating, "Even in a foreign land, you did not forget your homeland, and your sweat, patience, and dedication have become the solid roots of the community and stepping stones for future generations."
Bruno Kim, president of the Brazilian Korean Association, welcomed attendees and shared the history of Korean immigration, noting that the current third-generation youth live on the efforts of earlier agricultural immigrants who settled in Brazil 63 years ago. He requested continued support and attention from the homeland to help the Brazilian Korean community thrive while maintaining their pride as Koreans.
President Lee remarked that the history of cooperation between Brazil and Korea is deeply connected to the existence and lives of the Korean community. He highlighted that expatriates understand the languages, cultures, markets, and people of both countries better than anyone else, serving as a strong bridge between the two nations.
He also noted that the 51 Koreans who first settled in Brazil in 1956 laid the groundwork for the official agricultural immigration program that began in 1963. He mentioned how early immigrants developed farms and entered the clothing and sewing industries in São Paulo, becoming a significant part of Brazil's textile and fashion sector.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that the achievements of the Brazilian Korean community over the past 60 years extend beyond economic success, stating, "They have worked diligently to establish trust in Brazilian society towards Koreans."
He specifically referenced the 'Clean in Front of Our Store' campaign initiated by the São Paulo Korean community, which significantly changed not only the landscape of Koreatown but also the perception of the local community.
He emphasized that the designation of 'Korean Immigration Day' and 'Korean Culture Day' as official holidays by the São Paulo government, along with the establishment of 'Hangul Day,' symbolizes the trust and respect Brazilian society has for the Korean community.
President Lee also conveyed greetings from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stating, "President Lula asked me to send his regards to you all. He mentioned that there are only two presidents in the world with labor backgrounds, you and I. Let us work hard to resolve our challenges together."
During the open discussion, Hong-rae Kwon, chair of the Korean Community Development Support Association, and Lee Jae-myung, COO of the startup KLAVI, along with Mi Hong, vice president of the Korean Medical Association, shared their experiences and expectations from the government.
Kwon urged for more active exchanges between Korea and Brazil and requested ongoing attention from the homeland for the advancement and growth of the Brazilian Korean community.
Lee, the COO of KLAVI, suggested support for Korean youth to seize new entrepreneurial opportunities in Brazil, where tax reforms and a re-industrialization focused on artificial intelligence and robotics are underway. He also called for continued interest and support for the first-generation immigrants who laid the foundation for the community.
Hong expressed gratitude for the Korean language education provided by her parents, which enabled her to grow as a doctor in Brazilian society and serve the Korean community. She noted that the São Paulo Korean community is contributing proudly to mainstream Brazilian society based on a spirit of warm solidarity.
The event included cultural performances featuring traditional Korean music, enhancing the significance of the gathering.
In concluding the meeting, President Lee pledged, "I will work harder so that you can take pride in your homeland. I do not know when we will meet again, but I hope you always hold onto hope and continue to live happily."
Spokesperson Kang noted that President Lee also participated in a group photo with attendees, and the meeting lasted approximately one hour and 40 minutes, including lunch, open discussions, and cultural performances.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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