President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at a meeting with the Korean diaspora community held at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Friday (local time). [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at a meeting with the Korean diaspora community held at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Friday (local time). [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung met with members of the Korean diaspora community in Mongolia on Friday (local time), pledging to pursue overseas Korean policy "with a great sense of responsibility so that you can feel proud to be citizens of the Republic of Korea."

Speaking at a luncheon meeting at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Lee said his administration has been conducting a comprehensive survey of grievances from Korean communities around the world since early this year. "We are collecting a great deal of information on the difficulties people face locally and areas that need improvement — including residency systems, administrative procedures, economic activities and the education environment," he said.

He added that he would work to ensure overseas diplomatic missions serve as "a solid platform where they listen to your voices and work together to find solutions." He also drew laughter when he quipped, "If you find it hard to see the ambassador standing next to me on a regular basis, please let me know."

In his opening remarks, Lee noted that while most bilateral exchanges typically begin with governments establishing a framework for cooperation before people-to-people ties follow, Korea's diaspora community had already been making its way to Mongolia well before formal bilateral cooperation took off in the 1990s.

He also said the concentration of Korean shops, restaurants, cafes, hagwon and businesses in Ulaanbaatar had given rise to a vibrant Korean economic enclave so lively it has come to be called the "Mongtan new town."

Lee further noted that Mongolia's president had described South Korea as one of the most important partners among Mongolia's "third neighbors," adding, "Cooperation between our two countries will only deepen going forward."

At the gathering, Lee wore a teal necktie while first lady Kim Hye-kyung appeared in a purple jeogori top and white skirt. Cheong Wa Dae said the outfits were chosen to express a shared commitment to a sustainable future and to reciprocate the warm regard Mongolia holds for Korea — reflected in the Mongolian name for Korea, "Solongos," meaning "the land where rainbows rise."


sang@heraldcorp.com