President Moon calls for support from Koreans around the world for lasting peace on Peninsula

President Moon Jae-in attended a special ceremony today marking World Korean Day,.. a day to commemorate the seven-point-four-million ethnic Koreans around the world.He delivered a speech, expressing his gratitude toward them, while also urging them for their continued support for peace.Our Blue House correspondent Hwang Hojun reports. The successful and peaceful hosting of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics,... and the new era of peace on the Korean Peninsula.According to President Moon, Korean expats around the world played a major part in making those possible. It was the united desire of our people, both here in Korea and abroad alike, that opened the door to peace on the Korean Peninsula. And President Moon said he's now dreaming of bigger things. The dream of the two Koreas becoming one in lasting peace, the dream of you and your children visiting the fatherland via car and or train, the dream of mutual prosperity transcending the Korean Peninsula to Northeast Asia and the world. Those are the dreams I wish to make come true with you. His remarks came during the 12th World Korean Day and the 2018 World Korean Community Leaders Convention, held on Friday morning.About 550 people were in attendance, including leaders of some 400 overseas Korean communities.The South Korean leader first expressed his gratitude and pride for Koreans overseas, asserting the history of the Republic of Korea and the lives of Koreans abroad are woven together. He then reminded his audience that Seoul and Pyeongyang have decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day next year.Insisting it will be a god sent opportunity for South and North Koreans to restore a sense of kinship, President Moon said he hopes the celebration will become a national festival to be celebrated by the millions of ethnic Koreans across the world; he called for overseas Korean community leaders to take the lead. President Moon also pledged to do more to support Korean expats.He stressed how his administration has greatly increased the government budget to protect the safety of overseas Koreans. He also pledged to expand educational support for the younger generation abroad in areas including Korean culture, history, and language to help them remember their heritage.Hwang Hojun, Arirang News.