Lee Sang-deok, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), visited Essen and Berlin, Germany, from May 17–18, where he held roundtable meetings with former Korean miners and members of the local Korean community. This marked the first time that the OKA Commissioner visited Germany to engage directly with overseas Koreans.
On May 17, Commissioner Lee visited the Korean Miners Memorial Hall in Essen. Touring the exhibits, he paid tribute to the historical records and personal belongings of Korean miners who worked in Germany, reflecting on their contributions and sacrifices. The hall serves both as a memorial to the dedication of Korean miners and as a cultural hub for the Korean-German community.
He then hosted a meeting with around 50 Korean residents, including former miners, at the memorial hall.
In his speech, Commissioner Lee said, “The dedication and sacrifices of Korean miners laid the foundation for South Korea’s modernization and economic growth. Your hard work during difficult times played a critical role in the development of both the nation and the Korean community in Germany. We express our deepest gratitude and respect.”
He also shared that the OKA is working to ensure that the contributions of overseas Koreans, including the miners, are properly recognized and preserved in public memory, noting the launch of the “Overseas Korean of the Month” campaign to honor their legacy.
https://newsk.net/europe/?idx=164143193&bmode=view
Lee Sang-deok, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), visited Essen and Berlin, Germany, from May 17–18, where he held roundtable meetings with former Korean miners and members of the local Korean community. This marked the first time that the OKA Commissioner visited Germany to engage directly with overseas Koreans.
On May 17, Commissioner Lee visited the Korean Miners Memorial Hall in Essen. Touring the exhibits, he paid tribute to the historical records and personal belongings of Korean miners who worked in Germany, reflecting on their contributions and sacrifices. The hall serves both as a memorial to the dedication of Korean miners and as a cultural hub for the Korean-German community.
He then hosted a meeting with around 50 Korean residents, including former miners, at the memorial hall.
In his speech, Commissioner Lee said, “The dedication and sacrifices of Korean miners laid the foundation for South Korea’s modernization and economic growth. Your hard work during difficult times played a critical role in the development of both the nation and the Korean community in Germany. We express our deepest gratitude and respect.”
He also shared that the OKA is working to ensure that the contributions of overseas Koreans, including the miners, are properly recognized and preserved in public memory, noting the launch of the “Overseas Korean of the Month” campaign to honor their legacy.
https://newsk.net/europe/?idx=164143193&bmode=view