The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy’s warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea.  Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know.

The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens throughout the Republic of Korea to exercise caution during demonstrations and vigils protesting the resumption of American beef imports and the policies of the Korean Government.  The protests, which began eight weeks ago, have become more violent in recent days.  Korean authorities stated on June 29 that they would crack down further on violent protesters.  They have begun using water cannon and fire extinguishers to stop the advance of demonstrators and have stated that they reserve the right to use tear gas.

Up to this point the demonstrations have not been overtly anti-American in nature, but American citizens are nevertheless strongly urged to avoid the areas of the protests and to exercise extreme caution if within the vicinity of demonstrators.  The center of protests in Seoul has thus far been Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, with demonstrators frequently attempting to move north along Sejongno toward the Blue House, the Presidential residence.

American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.  The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any changes in the overall security situation via this email system and the Embassy websites at http://seoul.usembassy.gov and www.asktheconsul.org.

The Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy or via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.

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If you did not receive this message directly via the U.S. Embassy’s warden email system, we encourage you, as an American living or traveling in South Korea, to register with the Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, http://travelregistration.state.gov.

Americans without internet access may register in person at the Embassy.  Registration is a voluntary way of telling us that you, as an American citizen, are in Korea, whether for a long-term stay or for a short visit.  In the event of an emergency, we use registration information to communicate with you.  This could include a family emergency in which relatives in the United States request that the Embassy contact you.  Registration also automatically signs you up to receive our emailed monthly newsletter and periodic warden messages about safety, security, and other topics, such as voting.

If you choose not to register, you may still subscribe to our email warden message system simply by providing your email address on the Embassy’s website at www.asktheconsul.org.

For the latest security information worldwide, Americans should regularly monitor the State Department’s website at travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the Unites States, or, for callers from outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Embassy Seoul Contact Information:

American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Seoul
32, Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710, Korea

Tel: 02-397-4114 (operator available 24 hours a day)
Fax: 02-397-4101
DSN: 721-4114
Website:  http://www.asktheconsul.org/
Email: seoul_ACS@state.gov

http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/02/27/an-association-for-foreign-english-teachers/

Photo:  Jermaister

Need your news fix in English on stuff about Korea?

Here’s what I read and/or in my RSS Reader:

Korea Herald – http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ – Hands down one of the best newspapers in Korea on Korea.

Korea Times – http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp – Also another good newspaper in Korea on Korea

Ohmynews – http://english.ohmynews.com/ -Citizen journalism

Republic of Korea’s Official Website – http://www.korea.net/ – They have frequent contests and its a very attractive site.

Others:

Chosun Ilbo – http://english.chosun.com/ – Sites too simple… I don’t like reading it.

Donga Ilbo – http://english.donga.com/ – Sites ugly

Invest Korea – http://www.investkorea.org/ – Investment news… beyond my level of interest.

Joonang Daily – http://joongangdaily.joins.com/ - Not enough content

Korea Post – http://www.koreapost.com/ – Sites ugly

Korea Travel Times – http://www.koreatraveltimes.com/ – Travel Information for English speakers in Korea

Seoulites – http://webzine.seoul.go.kr/ – Webzine that’s updated quarterly

Seoul Metropolitan Government – http://english.seoul.go.kr/ – Updated Weekly

Seoul Times – http://www.theseoultimes.com/ – Haven’t really checked this one out

However I feel that blogs are probably one of the fastest ways to get information quickly:

The Daily Kimchi -Random Daily Korean News

Korea Beat – Translates Korean news articles into English

Korean Law Blog – News about Korean law changes

Marmot’s Hole – It’s a good general news about Korea

Pop Seoul – Pop news about Korean Celebrities

Zen Kimchi -  Random Korean News

Am I missing anything? Please feel free to share yours here.

1. VISA RULES FOR FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS
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The Korean Ministry of Justice announced that as of December 15, 2007, foreigners will have to submit medical and criminal background checks when applying for a visa to become a foreign language teacher in South Korea.  The U.S. Embassy cannot provide a background check or fingerprinting service, and we cannot notarize, certify, or verify the authenticity of background checks or diplomas.

As we understand the new requirements, E-2 visa applicants who are U.S. citizens can obtain the necessary criminal background check either by submitting their fingerprints to the FBI or by applying for a local police check where they last resided in the U.S.  Procedures for obtaining criminal background checks in the U.S. are explained on our website at http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm.  Local police stations in the Republic of Korea are able to take fingerprints that can be sent to the FBI for a background check.  U.S. Embassies are, unfortunately, prohibited from taking fingerprints for these purposes.

Regrettably, the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) has placed incorrect information on its website concerning services U.S. embassies can and cannot perform.  As of this writing the “New Release: Mandatory Requirements of Criminal Background Check and Health Certificate” on the KIS website contains incorrect information about the length of time it can take to get a criminal records check in the U.S. and also states erroneously that the U.S. Embassy can notarize or certify background checks.  We have asked that the incorrect information be removed from the KIS website and we regret any inconvenience or misunderstanding that has resulted from their explanation of our services.

As we receive updated information on the Korean visa requirements, we will post it on our website.  The U.S. Embassy website will also continue to be the best source of information about the services that we are able to provide under U.S. law and regulation.  If you have further questions, we suggest that you contact the office responsible for the new requirements, the Korea Immigration Service, Border Control Division, at 500-9116, 500-9117, or 500-9118, or consult their website at http://seoul.immigration.go.kr/HP/IMM80/index.do or the Ministry of Justice website (in Korean only) at
http://moj.korea.kr/moj/jsp/moj1_branch.jsp?_action=news_view&_property=p_sec_1&_id=155250149.

Two decades ago, when Lee owned Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. , the nation made a nonviolent changeover from an autocratic domination to democracy, hosted a productive Summer Olympics, and repeatedly racked upward yearly economical increase of eight per penny or much, creating Korea’s own economical miracle.

Lee stayed in a single room house in Seoul; his parents were working as street vendors. Lee worked hard to study in the college by peddling fruits and vegetables. In the year 1965, he joined the prestigious Hyundai Company. Later in 1977 he started his own largest Chaebol’s subsidiaries. Lee worked as mayor of Seoul since 2002 to 2006, during this period his direction was on stimulating financial glory days.

Lee’s victory led him to promise seven percent growth in economy. This doubles the per capita income up to $40,000 per year. Lee’s ambition plan for next 5 years is to make South Korea the 7th largest nation around the reality in economy, which is presently in 13th spot. Lee has a plan to cut down in the corporate tax by a third, to 10 percent. This will permit the investors in investing much, which leads to introduction in many jobs. Lee’s next focus is to bring down the unemployment rate. He has a plan to reduce the number of regulatory hoops which gives way to the Korean entrepreneurs in getting into the business. Lee is too concentrating on creating jobs by constructing large domestic canal which would link the country’s rivers.

Highlight of Lee’s triumph is packed by his international policies and South Korean strong relations with North Korea and also victorious meeting held in the month of October between current President Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Jong II.

Exactly 20 years after the best available and impartial election in the nation’s story, South Korea is now behaving like nothing if not an old democracy. Turnout in this election was just over 62% of the qualified electorate — downward abruptly from the 71% hat turned away to elect Roh Moo Hyun five years ago.

2007 election made South Koreans look that their nation has get then steady and too well-off. Nearly 40 percent of the electorate is downright bored with politics.

Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1696910,00.html

Korea Times reported that through Caesarian, four kittens came into light and accidentally one of it lost its living. There was powerful evidence that the rind of the kittens’ glowed under ultraviolet light and proved it to be gene-altered clones.

People with genetic disorders usually have to receive treatment throughout their lives that is very hard on them. If these results can help to make their lives easier, then it’s a wonderful thing.

These investigation results were away through the media and not from the formal reports. Ratification is required to place more fund in glowing reports. Incase the ceremonial reports confirms, it’s a measure ahead in the hereditary advancement.

Even if the cloning in cats get a regular use in laboratories, that cannot be tested on all the pets at home. Glow in the fish have been offered commercially for several years – but they’re yet unlawful in California and many countries, payable to concerns about genetically modified organisms.

Source: http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/13/514602.aspx

The Korean government continues to confront a major challenge following the large oil spill off the coast of Taean County. So far more than 9,000 soldiers, policemen, and volunteers have been mobilized to mop up the oil and contain the environmental damage.

Members of the expatriate community who wish to contribute to the effort to combat the oil spill can do so in several ways:

1) Donations of goods: Authorities and volunteers need any of the following items you can donate:

– used winter clothing
– old towels or any other old cloth that can help absorb oil
– personal protective gear such as face masks, rain coats, rubber boots, and gloves.

To send donated goods, address them to:

The County Disaster Relief Center
96, Nammoon-ri, Taean-eup, Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province
Tel: 041-670-2645 through 2653

2) Volunteering:

The Taean County Relief Center is receiving applications from individual volunteers or organizations via telephone (042-670-2645 through 2653) or through its website at www.taean.go.kr.

Applications should be made at least one day in advance so that the relief center can assign volunteers to the most-needed area.

Please note that volunteers are required to bring with them their own protective gear including raincoats, boots, and gloves. Please note also that there is no interpretation service available for foreigners, so a basic command of the Korean language is needed.

3) Donation of Money:

Donations of money to assist in the clean-up operation are being received by the South Choongcheong Provincial Government at the following account:

Nonghyup Bank, Account No.: 471-01-002107, held in the name of: The Governor of South Choongcheong Province.

The U.S. Embassy thanks you for considering these assistance measures.

It is not word that Korean parents are impassioned about English training. More than 10 trillion won ($10. 8 billion) is spent in Korea on personal English training. Many Koreans look uneasy and can’t talk a language of English when they play foreigners.

In the previous, parents sold their cows and soil in the countryside to train their children in Seoul so they could flee poverty. The age of globalization demands globalizes talents and speaking English way chance and ability. If national training is not enough, they will get to supplement it with personal direction.

People are switching over to foreign language high school as the regular high school in Korea is not compromising the requirement of fluency. Some parents have taken step in sending their children to abroad to provide them with good English.

Government has taken different steps to overtake foreign language schools in Korea but failed indeed. The competition is getting stronger and favoring foreign language schools. Parents and students have a strong belief in them that, foreign language will guarantee them in English language as well as foreign languages.

Korean government, this year has spent over 110 billion won in appointing the native English speaking teacher to all 3,467 school for elementary, middle and high schools. The best way to secure qualified teachers is to bring in Koreans born abroad.

Source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2883063
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The police investigations had evidence that the cram school’s chairman was immediately involved in the examination scandal. The influence of this scandal caused leading cultural problems. Many of the students were damage since their admissions to international word higher schools were withdrawn.

Now the administration of the school must follow the law on private institutes. According to Gu Hyo-joong, manager of the training agency, the agency will cancel the school’s enrollment and will close it downward on Dec 7. This police are implemented in decree to penalize the chairman of the cram school. Establishment of another cram school by Gwak Yong-seok, 41, chairman of the Mokdong Jongro M School will be prohibited within a year’s moment.

Gwak distributed 200 copies of the leaked questions that he received from a teacher at the Gimpo Foreign Language High School on Oct 30, the same day the test was to be conducted. Due to this Gwak was detained.

The cram school had enrolled 62 students. Their admissions to Gimpo, Myongji and Anyang Foreign Language High school in Gyeonggi Province were cancelled.
The law also states that the cram school can reopen in the same building provided they register under a new name and led by a new chairman.

The educational office will inspect on false advertising, overcharging tuition and overall school management. They will also be inspecting on the irregularities in test preparation schools specializing in foreign language high schools. These were the measures taken to avoid any such scandals in future and ruin student’s career.

Source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2883004
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The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on March 27, 2007, selected the Korean city Daegu to host the 2011 World Championships. Daegu will be the third Asian city to host the Championship after Japan and Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka this year. The nine countries, that have submitted their expression of interest for hosting the 2011 World Championships were Morocco, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Russia, Australia, Sweden, Croatia and the United States etc.

On March 27, Korea’s third largest city won the bid to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics after competing with Moscow and Brisbane. With their success, Korea now joins the ranks of sports powerhouses that have hosted the top three international sports events such as “The Summer Olympic Games”, “The World Cup” and “The World Championships in Athletics”.

The celebratory mood will still run a rampant throughout the city and surroundings of Korea. The province has promised to do its best to make the event successful. The taskforce will try making good preparations for the event. They will also prepare for the accommodation for the foreign athletes and visitors. The plans of the province is to utilize the local stadiums in Daegu as a part for additional training fields before the opening of the games. It has also made up to make financial contributions to programs and schools that train Korean and world athletes.

The 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu is expected to bring a huge amount of economic benefit. President Roh Moo-hyun congratulated his people for their enthusiasm in hosting for the 2011 International Athletics Competitions. The duration of this event may occur for nine days between August and September 2011. The scale of this event would be that approximately about 7000 participants from 212 countries would come and participate at Daegu, World Cup Stadium, Warm-up Stadium, Citizen’s Stadium, etc.

Korea is setting to reach the tip of their success. They are looking into rendering best competition environment by providing Athletes ‘Village which can accommodate up to 6,000 athletes and officials. Promoting global friendship, exchange and unity will be taken care of by the Korea’s as part of the hosting. They are also trying to provide friendly environment with the world’s IT to operate top-class competitions. They have a systematic support from all the athletes as well to make this event a success.

Source: http://www.korea.net/news/issues/issueView.asp?issue_no=100