President Lee to Mindan: “80 years of love and devotion ... We will not forget that history”

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung invited Mindan, the Korean Residents Union in Japan, which is marking the 80th anniversary of its founding, on the 7th and said, “We will strive to ensure that our Republic of Korea can now give back even more of the great love and devotion you have shown our country over the past 80 years.”
At a meeting marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of Mindan, the Korean Residents Union in Japan, held that day at the State Guest House at Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee said, “The growth and development of the Republic of Korea that we enjoy today owe much to the blood and sweat of Korean residents in Japan and their forebears, who worried about their homeland’s future and lent their support from Japan.”
He stressed in particular, “The nine overseas diplomatic missions directly donated by Korean residents in Japan—a unique case in the world—are proof of that.” He continued, “Mindan has been a strong pillar of support for Korean residents in Japan within Japanese society. For many years, you have protected their rights and interests in the face of various hardships and discrimination, and whenever relations between Korea and Japan have faced difficulties, you have done an excellent job of serving as a bridge between the peoples of our two countries.” He added, “Our Republic of Korea will not forget that history.”
President Lee also expressed his commitment to supporting Korean residents in Japan. “We will do our utmost to support you, living witnesses to the history of Korea-Japan relations, so that you can live without inconvenience in the places you call home,” he said.
He also called on Korean residents in Japan to play a role in advancing Korea-Japan relations. President Lee said, “Japan was the first country I visited on a bilateral trip after taking office,” and explained, “Since then, Korea and Japan have built trust through shuttle diplomacy between their leaders and are opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.”
He continued, “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 added, “I hope Mindan will continue to take an even more active lead in ensuring that the changing Korean community in Japan remains closely united across generations and backgrounds.”
On cultivating the next generation, he stressed, “For the Korean community in Japan to continue to develop, we must raise the next generation well and give them a strong foundation.” He went on to urge, “I hope you will continue to actively support the passing of the older generation’s experience and wisdom to the next generation, and help young people take pride in their roots and grow into leaders of the community and a strong bridge linking Korea and Japan.”
Earlier, Kim Yi-jung, head of Mindan’s Central Headquarters, said in the welcoming remarks, “Mindan has a long-standing aspiration and task: to have a page in the Republic of Korea’s history textbooks devoted to the history of Korean residents in Japan and Mindan, so that people at home and abroad, as well as Korean residents in Japan, can remember it.”
Kim added, “On behalf of all Korean residents in Japan, I would like to ask that their contributions and sacrifices to their homeland also be included.”
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter