PM vows to help overseas Koreans expand businesses in S. Korea

SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday the government will help Korean businesspeople living overseas expand their businesses in South Korea.

Han made the remark during a ceremony marking the 18th World Korean Day, which is marked on Oct. 5 every year to elevate the pride of some 7 million Koreans living overseas.

"We will support Korean businesspeople who have succeeded overseas in making inroads here and work to create an environment where they can invest at ease," he said during the ceremony at a hotel in Seoul.

Han said the government has been working to make sure the next generation of overseas Koreans can also maintain their identity as Koreans with pride.

"In the same way that their parents' generation developed a new base in foreign lands, we will do our best to help the next generation of overseas Koreans searching for new hope in their motherland settle down smoothly," he said, vowing to improve education in Korean language, history and culture.

"Our government will always be with you with the confidence that the Korean communities in every corner of the world are another Republic of Korea of which we are proud," Han said, referring to South Korea by its formal name.

hague@yna.co.kr
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