The Overseas Koreans Agency (Commissioner Kim Kyoung-hyup) will establish the “Returning Koreans Resettlement Support Division” in January 2026. This new department aims to help overseas Koreans who have returned to Korea settle stably into society.
Currently, there are approximately 860,000 returning Koreans residing in the country. While they share language, culture, and ethnic identity with the local population, they have faced difficulties in their daily lives and the resettlement process due to the lack of a dedicated department to support them.
Since April last year, the Overseas Koreans Agency has been supporting returning Koreans through a temporary task force called the "Domestic Koreans Support TF." However, as the number of returning Koreans continues to rise and the demand for assistance grows, the Agency determined that a permanent, dedicated department was necessary.
The newly established Returning Koreans Resettlement Support Division will carry out the agency's key national and priority task: “Strengthening Support for Returning Overseas Koreans.” Its primary responsibilities include:
Supporting projects led by local governments and private organizations.
Developing and operating customized resettlement education programs tailored to age and specific circumstances.
Attracting and supporting the resettlement of outstanding overseas Korean talent.
Conducting research and surveys related to returning overseas Koreans.
Cooperating with relevant ministries and related agencies.
In particular, the agency plans to strengthen support for resettlement and the protection of rights by utilizing a 960-million-won budget for local governments (an increase of 270 million won or 39% from the previous year) and a 150-million-won budget for private organizations (an increase of 100 million won or 198%).
Furthermore, the agency will launch a new project this year: “Support for Attracting and Resettling Outstanding Overseas Korean Talent.” This program will provide a comprehensive package of education, employment, and resettlement support for young overseas Koreans (both domestic and abroad) who wish to settle in Korea, with a total budget allocation of 3.09 billion won.
With the establishment of this dedicated department, the Overseas Koreans Agency intends to build a sustainable support system to ensure that returning Koreans—who previously lacked institutional support—can begin and maintain a stable life in Korea.
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