Says participation offers little practical benefit this year
The Los Angeles Korean American Chamber of Commerce (LAKACC) has decided not to attend the 24th World Korean Business Convention, scheduled to open Sept. 28 in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. It marks the first time the organization has opted out of the annual gathering.
Chamber leaders said the decision was based on a lack of tangible business opportunities rather than any political considerations. While some individual board members may attend in a personal capacity, they will not represent the chamber officially.
“We concluded that attending this year would offer neither practical benefits nor a clear purpose,” said LAKACC President Moon Chul Kwak. He explained that South Korea’s Chuseok holiday, which runs from Sept. 24 to 26, made it difficult to arrange meetings and partnership agreements with local governments, businesses and other organizations.
Kwak added that despite efforts following the new leadership’s inauguration in July, the chamber was unable to secure meaningful business outcomes and instead plans to organize a separate visit to Korea in April next year.
He also said the chamber had requested a meeting with Lee Dong-seop, commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, to discuss support related to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but the meeting did not materialize. Kwak emphasized that the decision not to attend the convention was unrelated to the recent K-Goods Fair in Las Vegas.
In response, organizers from the World Korean Business Convention said registration remains open and regional representatives continue encouraging members from around the world to participate.
Unlike the Los Angeles chamber, the Orange County Korean American Chamber of Commerce plans to send its leadership along with about 30 board members. President Joong Yeol Lee said the organization will participate because of its leadership role within the Federation of Korean American Chambers of Commerce USA and noted that support has also been arranged for younger business leaders attending from Korea.
The Georgia Korean American Chamber of Commerce also plans a large delegation. President Yeon Chul Choi said approximately 50 participants representing 76 affiliated organizations are expected to attend, accompanied by business consultants and buyers to assist companies interested in investing or doing business in Georgia.
The World Korean Business Convention brings together Korean business leaders from around the globe to promote networking, trade and investment through exhibitions, business forums and startup competitions. This year’s event is hosted by the World Korean Business Convention Organizing Committee and the Overseas Koreans Agency, with support from the Incheon Metropolitan Government and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.
The convention has previously been held in the United States, including Anaheim in 2023 and Atlanta in 2025, making it a familiar event for Korean American business leaders. Former LAKACC President Ki Hwan Ha chaired the 2023 convention, while the late M.K. Hong, founder of Duracoat, led the 2014 event.
Organizers expect approximately 3,000 participants this year. Byung Gu Hwang, chairman of the Federation of Korean American Chambers of Commerce USA, will serve as the convention’s first privately selected organizing committee chair.
Last year, the Los Angeles chamber sent 28 board members to the convention in Jeonju, where it signed cooperation agreements with universities and organizations in South Korea.
