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K-pop icon Sandara Park has been officially named the goodwill ambassador for South Korea’s Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA).

Photo Courtesy of Sandara Park (@krungy21 / X)(Uploaded: 10:38 PM - June 4, 2026)

The Overseas Koreans Agency hosted an official induction ceremony on June 4, 2026, at its headquarters in Incheon, South Korea, where the 2NE1 star was formally presented with her letter of appointment by OKA Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyup.

Connecting the Diaspora

The OKA, a government agency established in 2023 to provide centralized support for over seven million Koreans residing abroad, selected Park due to her extensive background living as an expatriate.
In a clever play on words, the agency designated her as its official "Sosikjwa" ambassador. While the term is a popular Korean slang word for a "small eater"—a well-known personal trait of Park's—it serves as a homonym for "delivering news from afar," perfectly matching her role of bridging the gap between South Korea and its global diaspora.

Roots in the Philippines

During the ceremony, Park reflected on moving from South Korea to the Philippines when she was 10 years old, noting how frightening it initially was to navigate a foreign country without knowing the local language.

Park expressed pride in her journey, noting how she hopes to connect with the diaspora from the heart based on her own experiences. On social media, she added that having lived in the Philippines, this role holds special significance, and she is committed to acting as a bridge between overseas Koreans and the Republic of Korea.

A Storied Career

Before her 2009 debut with 2NE1, Park established a successful career in the Philippines, rising to fame through the ABS-CBN talent show Star Circle Quest in 2004. Known for her close ties to the country, she previously served as the Korea-Philippines Friendship Ambassador in 2017.
Park immediately began her duties with a live broadcast to interact with Korean communities globally.


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