For the U.S. Americans: Anti-Government Demonstrations in South Korea
July 1, 2008
Public Service Announcement for US Citizens living in Korea from the US Embassy:
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
VISA RULES FOR FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS
January 1, 2008
Here is new information for all of the American English Teachers in Korea.
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
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
http://moj.korea.kr/moj/jsp
KOREA MAY ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN FUTURE
December 3, 2007
This is directly from the: AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES NEWSLETTER – DECEMBER 2007
You can sign up for it directly here: http://www.asktheconsul.org/
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The Korean government is considering allowing men who have served their military service and foreigners with certain skills to hold two passports. Currently, male Koreans are allowed to hold citizenship from another country until they turn 18, when they must choose between the two. Under the tentative new plan, Koreans who finished military duty at least two years before applying and non-Koreans with special skills would be eligible for dual citizenship. For more information (in Korean only ) see
http://moj.korea.kr/moj/jsp/moj1_branch.jsp?_action=news _view&_property=p_sec_1&_id =155249815&currPage=1&_categor y=. U.S. law does not contain any provisions requiring U.S. citizens who are born with dual nationality or who acquire a second nationality at an early age to choose one nationality or the other when they become adults. The current nationality laws of the United States do not specifically refer to dual nationality.
English Language Resources in Seoul for Americans
November 1, 2007
A good bulk of our readers are from the United States. This is from the newsletter by the American Embassy.
Medical: The Seoul Help Center for Foreigners has a 24-hour medical referral service (after hours is for emergencies only) where medically trained, English-speaking professionals can refer individuals to medical services. All calls are confidential. Call 010-4769-8212 or 010-8750-8212, or email medicalreferral@seoul.go.kr. If you need an ambulance, call 119 – preferably from a land line, so that if you cannot make yourself understood, your location can still be identified.
Language assistance: The Before Babel Brigade (BBB) is a volunteer organization for non-Korean speakers who need help communicating. Call 1588-5644 and press “1″ for an English-speaking volunteer. Note that BBB assistance is only provided over the phone. There website is: www.bbbkorea.org.
Transportation: A guide to the bus system in Seoul is available at http://bus.seoul.go.kr. Click on “English” in the top right-hand corner to take you to the searchable map in English. (You need to be using Internet Explorer)
General: The Seoul Help Center for Foreigners (http://shc.seoul.go.kr), located on the 2nd floor of Seoul’s City Hall, provides information on various aspects of life in Seoul, including housing, visas, traffic, and schools. There is an information desk at the Center as well as an English help line (02-797-8212; 09:30–12:30; 14:00–19:00 M-F) staffed by English-speaking volunteers.
Consular Section, American Citizen Services (ACS) Newsletter - September 2007
September 4, 2007
In keeping with updating the website with useful information- here is one for all of the US citizens out there.
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
