BLOGS
Kansas City's Ben Ahn Joins KACCUSA's Next-Gen Leaders in Korea
Ben Ahn
Linkplus, Director
Kansas City went to Korea. Here is what we brought back.
From September 30 to October 2, 2026, Linkplus founder and CEO Ben Ahn traveled to South Korea as a next-generation Korean American business leader from Kansas City. He was part of a delegation of about 30 second-generation Korean American business leaders from across the U.S., recommended by the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA (KACCUSA), and brought a Midwest voice to the group.
In three days the delegation paid respects at the Seoul National Cemetery, met lawmakers, toured a major hospital and sat in briefings with leading Korean companies.
"Meeting next-generation leaders from all over the U.S., each working hard in their own field, both challenged me and gave me a real sense of shared purpose. I hope this is not a one-time meeting but the start of an ongoing connection. Seeing Korea's business leaders operate as true global leaders, ready to enter any market in the world at any time, widened my perspective. Most of all, I saw that every Korean American on this trip carries the same hope: that Korea keeps growing and thriving." — Ben Ahn, Founder & CEO, Linkplus
For Kansas City's Korean American business community, this was not a sightseeing trip. It was a seat at the table: one of the city's own standing alongside next-generation leaders from across the country, learning where the Korea-US relationship is heading and bringing that perspective home.
What the delegation saw
The program was built to give U.S.-raised leaders a firsthand look at Korea's history, politics, healthcare and industry. Five areas, one short trip.
History: Seoul National Cemetery; Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery. Roots of modern Korea and the role of foreign missionaries.
Strategy: Seoul National University Institute for Future Strategy. Korea's long-term plans and global position.
Healthcare: Ewha Womans University Medical Center. Where Korean medical technology stands today.
Politics: National Assembly. Briefings from both ruling and opposition parties on Korea-US ties and the diaspora's role.
Industry: HS Hyosung, AI company MOREH, Korea Zinc. Core businesses, tech edge and global expansion plans.
What the conversations covered
The conversations ranged widely: Korea's history and future strategy, Korea-US relations, the role of the overseas Korean community, healthcare and industry. At the National Assembly, the delegation exchanged views with both ruling and opposition parties on Korea-US ties and on building international networks for Korean American business leaders.
In the industry briefings, technology was one of the topics participants asked about most. Their questions to company representatives included:
Direction — where the AI industry is heading next
Competitiveness — how Korean companies stack up globally
Cooperation — how Korean firms and the U.S. market can work together
That third question is the one we hear most in Kansas City too. Korean companies want a way into the U.S. market. U.S. businesses want Korean tech and talent. The missing piece is usually the bridge in between: language, culture and a working digital presence.
Participants said they left committed to being that bridge. KACCUSA says it plans to keep expanding the next-generation leader program.
Why it matters for Kansas City
Trips like this connect local business communities to a national network. Three takeaways for KC businesses:
Kansas City has a seat in the national network. KC's Korean American business community is part of the next-generation leader network KACCUSA is building across the U.S. That network is a resource for local owners, not just for coastal cities.
Bilingual is a business asset. A Korea-US network only works when the message lands in both languages. Content that reads naturally in English and Korean opens doors on both sides.
Relationships need a digital front door. Trips like this build relationships. A clear website, consistent social presence and searchable content keep those relationships working after everyone flies home.
At Linkplus, we help Kansas City businesses build that front door: bilingual Korean-English content and a digital presence that works for Korean and multicultural markets, with AI tools to keep it consistent.
The bridge is being built. Is your business on it?
Ben came home with a clear signal: the next generation of Korean American leaders is ready to connect Korea, the U.S. and communities like Kansas City. The businesses that benefit will be the ones those leaders can find, understand and trust.
If your business serves Korean or multicultural customers in Kansas City, start with one question: would a next-gen leader find you in English and Korean today?
If the answer is no, let's talk. We will share what we learned in Korea and show you where to close that gap first.
Source
Original reporting by Kang Seung-ku, US KNews, republished by KACCUSA on October 5, 2026. Read the full article.
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