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/

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.

Many of these require internet explorer only.

Korean American Banks -

Nara Bank specifically for those in the US

Banks in North Korea:

They don’t have English friendly websites… or websites that  I know of for that matter.

Daesong Bank
Koryo Bank

I’m sure I’ve missed a bank here and there, but here are the banking options that I know of. Feel free to add your own suggestions and ratings in the comments.

U.S. State Department, U.S. Embassy Seoul
Consular Section, American Citizen Services (ACS) Newsletter
September 2007

The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following monthly newsletter via its warden system as a public service to U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea.  Please feel free to disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know.

In this issue:

1.  Health Information for Travelers
2.  Social Security Numbers Are Required on U.S. Passport Applications
3.  Voting Information
4.  Dual Citizens and U.S. Passports
5.  Reporting Internet Fraud
6.  Recent Travel Warnings and Public Announcements
7.  Next Consular Services Visit to Busan – September 19-20
8.  Upcoming Holidays: September 3, 24-26; October 3, 8
9.  Embassy Contact Information

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1. HEALTH INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website contains health information for travelers, including recommended vaccinations and the latest travel notices.  For information by country, see the Travelers’ Health section at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx.

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2. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE REQUIRED ON U.S. PASSPORT APPLICATIONS
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Please remember to provide your Social Security number (SSN) when applying for a U.S. passport.  Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code (26 USC 6039E) requires U.S. citizens to provide their SSN, if they have one, when they apply for a U.S. passport.  Generally, all U.S. citizens should have an SSN for U.S. tax purposes, since, regardless where in the world they live or where their money is earned, if their income is above a minimum level, they are required to file income tax returns with the IRS.  If you have not been issued an SSN, you may enter zeros on the form when you apply for a passport.  However, you should do this only if you have not been issued an SSN.  If you have an SSN and do not provide it on the passport application, you are subject to a $500 penalty from the IRS.

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3.  VOTING INFORMATION
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The Embassy will soon be receiving copies of the 2008 Federal Voting Assistance Guide and other voting materials.  If your overseas group is planning a voter education campaign, we can provide voting materials and posters.  We are also available to speak to your group about absentee voting procedures.  Please contact us at voteseoul@state.gov if you would like more information about overseas voting.  The Federal Voting Assistance website is www.fvap.gov.

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4.  DUAL CITIZENS and U.S. PASSPORTS
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Passport processing delays in the U.S. have led many dual nationals to depart the U.S. without a valid U.S. passport.  We would like to remind you that under Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1185) requires U.S. citizens to use U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States.
Exceptions to this requirement are listed in Section 53.2 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (One of these exceptions permits a child under the age of 12, who is included in the foreign passport of a parent who has no claim to U.S. citizenship, to enter the United States without a U.S. passport, provided the child presents evidence of his/her U.S. citizenship when entering the United States.)
Dual nationals may be required to use their other (non-U.S.) passport when entering or leaving the other country of which they are citizens. This will not endanger the individual’s U.S. citizenship as this law applies only to the use of the U.S. passport when entering or leaving the U.S.

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5. REPORTING INTERNET FRAUD
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We have all heard stories about or seen spam emails that guarantee a huge payoff if we provide a stranger with our bank details, or wire thousands of dollars to an unknown person in far-away country who will then send us millions in lottery winnings in return.  To help combat the spread of these scams, financial and otherwise, the FBI has set up a new on-line resource at http://www.ic3.gov/ where you can report internet fraud.  The website includes tips on fraud prevention and examples of the latest scams.

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6. RECENT TRAVEL WARNINGS AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The U.S. Department of State has recently issued travel warnings or public announcements for the following countries and regions:

Burundi  08/09/2007
Central African Republic  08/09/2007
Fiji 08/09/2007
Greece 08/27/2007

For additional information about these travel warnings and other public
announcements, click on this link:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html

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7. NEXT CONSULAR SERVICES VISIT TO BUSAN – SEPTEMBER 19-20
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Officials from the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit will offer consular services in Busan on September 19-20 at the offices of the United Seamen’s Service.  Consular officers will be available on Wednesday, September 19, from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. and on Thursday, September 20, from 9:00 a.m.–noon.

LOCATION:

The United Seamen’s Service
1185-8 Choryang-dong, Dong-ku
Busan, Korea
Tel.: 051-462-8029

A map of the location is available at: http://asktheconsul.org/Jan07map.GIF

American citizens will be able to apply for U.S. passports, additional visa pages in their current passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and Social Security cards.  Consular officers will also offer notarial services and provide information regarding voting, federal benefits, and registration with the Embassy.

Any questions about requirements, particularly for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, should be directed by email to seoul_acs@state.gov.  Please allow at least three days for a response.

If you plan to visit the ACS Unit in Busan, we strongly urge you to consult the website at http://www.asktheconsul.org for more information on our consular services and to ensure that you bring the proper forms (filled out in advance) and fees with you.  In addition to bringing original supporting documents (i.e., birth certificate, passport, Certificate of Naturalization), please bring photocopies of all documents you plan to submit.  There will not be a photocopier available on-site.

Any questions about requirements that cannot be answered from our website should be directed by email to seoul_acs@state.gov.

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Need Additional Pages in Your Passport During the Consular Visit to Busan?
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If you notify us prior to 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18, we can add pages to your passport in Busan while you wait.  Please complete form DS-4085, which can be downloaded at: http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/Passport/DS4085.pdf.  Write “Busan – Extra Pages” at the top of the completed form, include a copy of your passport’s personal data page (the page with your photo), and fax it to our office at (02) 397-4101.  Alternatively, you can email us your request.  Be sure to attach clearly scanned copies of both your DS-4085 form and your passport’s data page.  Email it to Seoul_ACS@state.gov and put “RESEND: BUSAN EXTRA PAGES” in the subject line.  Please note that additional pages cannot be added to one-year emergency passports or to damaged passports.  There is no charge for this service.  Additional information about adding pages is available on our website: http://korea.usembassy.gov/add_pages.html.

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8. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: SEPTEMBER 3, 24-26; OCTOBER 3, 8
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The U.S. Embassy will be closed on the following dates:

September 3 (Monday)            Labor Day
September 24-26 (Mon-Wed)       Chusok (Korean Thanksgiving Days)
October 3 (Wednesday)           National Foundation Day
October 8 (Monday)              Columbus Day

Please be advised that the days just before and after a holiday usually are exceptionally busy in the American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy.  Do not be surprised at a significantly longer wait for consular services on those days.  If you visit us outside those times, you should have a shorter wait.

A complete list of all of our holiday closings for 2007 is available on-line at http://seoul.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

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

- or -

American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy, Seoul
Unit #15550
APO AP 96205-5550

Tel: 02-397-4114
Fax: 02-397-4101
DSN: 721-4114
English:  http://www.asktheconsul.org/
Korean:  http://www.usavisas.org/
E-mail:  seoul_acs@state.gov