More than 100 young Korean political, business and social leaders from 22 countries launched a four-day meeting in Seoul on Tuesday to share their visions for overseas Korean communities and reinforce their cooperation.

Organized by the state-run Overseas Korean Foundation and sponsored by the Foreign Ministry, the 15th Future Leaders’ Conference coincides with the Korean Day on Oct. 5.

Since its founding in 1998, the annual event has provided a venue for networking between Korean entrepreneurs and politicians abroad, helping young immigrants consolidate their sense of identity and widening the use of overseas talent.

They will take part in discussions on ways to build a partnership between Korean societies abroad, and other programs designed to promote their understanding of Korean politics, culture and history, the OKF said in a statement.

Sung Kim, U.S. ambassador to Seoul, also attended the opening ceremony and encouraged and gave advice to the attendees.

On Wednesday, the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, a non-profit group, will screen a promotional video of Dokdo as part of its campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the South Korean islets to which Japan has long laid claim, the OKF noted.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)