Outgoing Consul General Kim: "Boston is a strategic hub for Korea…
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작성자 보스톤 작성일 26-06-27 11:43본문
(Boston = Boston Korea) by Myungsul Jang = Consul General Kim Jae-hwi, Boston's first consul general born in the 1970s, is departing his post. During his tenure, Consul General Kim chose to embrace many changes. However, Boston changed even more during his term, and those changes—whether for better or worse—continue today.
In a farewell interview at the consulate on the 16th, he said, "The three years really flew by," adding, "I'm relieved to have completed my term without major incidents, but my regret is greater because there are many things I haven't finished." His emphasis was on the regret. He seemed like a newly appointed consul general, with a broad interest in Boston and a to-do list still pinned to his desk. As his term nears its end, Consul General Kim stressed that "Boston has now become a core hub for Korea's future industries and Korea-U.S. cooperation," and that the Korean community must also consider new roles beyond the existing friendship-centered organizations.
The moments he remembers most vividly include attending a Korean senior association picnic shortly after his arrival and meeting Korean War veterans. He particularly recalled a scene at a Westfield Memorial Day event when a veteran wore the military uniform he had received in 1950 and saluted him. "I deeply felt that the Korea-U.S. relationship is being carried forward through the memories of people like him," he said.
Regarding his promise at the time of his appointment to "protect the rights and interests of compatriots in new ways," he candidly assessed, "I feel sorry." He explained, "I traveled to as many of the five New England states as possible to meet compatriots, and we moved the consulate from the 2nd floor to the 8th floor to create a more comfortable space," but added, "I still think we fell short in terms of creating change that compatriots could tangibly feel."
"I also met with state government officials, Boston city officials, and officials from towns where many Koreans reside to discuss the difficulties Korean residents face and asked for their special attention. Now, a connection point [with the consulate] has been established," he said. He cited the 'visiting consulate' program as the project he put the most effort into. The consul general said, "The goal was for us to reach out to people before they came to the consulate," adding, "It's still insufficient to talk about results, but these days when I meet compatriots, they naturally greet me and talk to me, so I think things have changed a bit."
He identified generational change and diversification of members as the biggest changes in Boston's Korean community over the past three years. He noted that the steady influx of international students, researchers, startup founders, and business people is transforming the community into something different from the traditional Korean community, and that adoptees are also gradually participating in Korean community activities, expanding the boundaries of the community. He said, "I worked hard to create a space where newly arriving Koreans from diverse backgrounds could naturally join as members of the Korean community," and although it hasn't been greatly activated yet, "I feel rewarded that these people are participating in the Korean community and speaking up."
At the same time, he expressed regret about the reality that the activities of existing organizations are weakening. In particular, he suggested that the role change of existing organizations should be the Korean community's most important concern going forward. "The Korean Association, Korean American Citizens Association, Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, and others are excellent organizations that have grown the Korean community over the past decades, but we must consider whether they can continue to function in the same way 10 or 20 years from now," he said.
He continued, "Going forward, we need to change from a friendship-centered approach to one that performs roles that professional networks, community participation, and new generations want." However, the consul general said that in a situation where the budget for supporting overseas Koreans is limited, support for new professional network-centered organizations has expanded while support for existing Korean organizations has relatively decreased. He also acknowledged that this reduction in support has resulted in further shrinking the activities of existing Korean organizations. This is an area where the government needs to consider what balance overseas Korean policy should strike between fostering new networks and supporting existing Korean organizations.
The consul general offered a very optimistic outlook for Boston's future. He said, "Cooperation between Korea and Boston is greatly expanding in almost all cutting-edge industries including AI, bio, quantum technology, and robotics," and "Major institutions including MIT are also actively pursuing comprehensive cooperation with Korea." He also explained, "Three years ago, there were about 10 Korean companies that had entered Boston, but now I estimate it has grown to over 100," adding, "The change is so rapid that a considerable number of companies at CIC in Kendall Square are Korean companies."
Finally, the consul general said, "Boston will become an even more important city for Korea's future," and "I expect my successor will further expand science, technology, and industrial cooperation." His interview was deeply imbued with regret over things left undone in Boston. Nevertheless, the moment of final farewell has arrived. "I sincerely thank the New England Korean community for warmly welcoming me over the past three years. I will cherish all my memories in Boston." It was a brief farewell, but it contained all the time he spent in Boston.
[email protected]
In a farewell interview at the consulate on the 16th, he said, "The three years really flew by," adding, "I'm relieved to have completed my term without major incidents, but my regret is greater because there are many things I haven't finished." His emphasis was on the regret. He seemed like a newly appointed consul general, with a broad interest in Boston and a to-do list still pinned to his desk. As his term nears its end, Consul General Kim stressed that "Boston has now become a core hub for Korea's future industries and Korea-U.S. cooperation," and that the Korean community must also consider new roles beyond the existing friendship-centered organizations.
The moments he remembers most vividly include attending a Korean senior association picnic shortly after his arrival and meeting Korean War veterans. He particularly recalled a scene at a Westfield Memorial Day event when a veteran wore the military uniform he had received in 1950 and saluted him. "I deeply felt that the Korea-U.S. relationship is being carried forward through the memories of people like him," he said.
Regarding his promise at the time of his appointment to "protect the rights and interests of compatriots in new ways," he candidly assessed, "I feel sorry." He explained, "I traveled to as many of the five New England states as possible to meet compatriots, and we moved the consulate from the 2nd floor to the 8th floor to create a more comfortable space," but added, "I still think we fell short in terms of creating change that compatriots could tangibly feel."
"I also met with state government officials, Boston city officials, and officials from towns where many Koreans reside to discuss the difficulties Korean residents face and asked for their special attention. Now, a connection point [with the consulate] has been established," he said. He cited the 'visiting consulate' program as the project he put the most effort into. The consul general said, "The goal was for us to reach out to people before they came to the consulate," adding, "It's still insufficient to talk about results, but these days when I meet compatriots, they naturally greet me and talk to me, so I think things have changed a bit."
He identified generational change and diversification of members as the biggest changes in Boston's Korean community over the past three years. He noted that the steady influx of international students, researchers, startup founders, and business people is transforming the community into something different from the traditional Korean community, and that adoptees are also gradually participating in Korean community activities, expanding the boundaries of the community. He said, "I worked hard to create a space where newly arriving Koreans from diverse backgrounds could naturally join as members of the Korean community," and although it hasn't been greatly activated yet, "I feel rewarded that these people are participating in the Korean community and speaking up."
At the same time, he expressed regret about the reality that the activities of existing organizations are weakening. In particular, he suggested that the role change of existing organizations should be the Korean community's most important concern going forward. "The Korean Association, Korean American Citizens Association, Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, and others are excellent organizations that have grown the Korean community over the past decades, but we must consider whether they can continue to function in the same way 10 or 20 years from now," he said.
He continued, "Going forward, we need to change from a friendship-centered approach to one that performs roles that professional networks, community participation, and new generations want." However, the consul general said that in a situation where the budget for supporting overseas Koreans is limited, support for new professional network-centered organizations has expanded while support for existing Korean organizations has relatively decreased. He also acknowledged that this reduction in support has resulted in further shrinking the activities of existing Korean organizations. This is an area where the government needs to consider what balance overseas Korean policy should strike between fostering new networks and supporting existing Korean organizations.
The consul general offered a very optimistic outlook for Boston's future. He said, "Cooperation between Korea and Boston is greatly expanding in almost all cutting-edge industries including AI, bio, quantum technology, and robotics," and "Major institutions including MIT are also actively pursuing comprehensive cooperation with Korea." He also explained, "Three years ago, there were about 10 Korean companies that had entered Boston, but now I estimate it has grown to over 100," adding, "The change is so rapid that a considerable number of companies at CIC in Kendall Square are Korean companies."
Finally, the consul general said, "Boston will become an even more important city for Korea's future," and "I expect my successor will further expand science, technology, and industrial cooperation." His interview was deeply imbued with regret over things left undone in Boston. Nevertheless, the moment of final farewell has arrived. "I sincerely thank the New England Korean community for warmly welcoming me over the past three years. I will cherish all my memories in Boston." It was a brief farewell, but it contained all the time he spent in Boston.
[email protected]
Original Korean article: https://bostonkorea.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=46156
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