NOTICE: SECURITY THREAT LEVEL ELEVATED
SECURITY THREAT LEVEL ELEVATED FROM YELLOW TO ORANGE
Transmission from US Embassy, Seoul to all US residents in Korea
Embassy of the United States of America
Seoul, Korea
American Citizen Services
Consular Section
Tel. 02-397-4441 / Fax. 02-397-4101
To: Participating Organizations, U.S. Embassy Warden System
The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following Worldwide Caution issued by
the State Department based on information from the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). This Public Announcement is being transmitted 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.
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WORLDWIDE CAUTION
December 21, 2003
Begin Quote:
“This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated November 21, 2003. The text of
that Caution is being reiterated below to remind U.S. citizens of the
continuing threat that they may be targets of terrorist actions and to alert
them to the raising of the Homeland Security threat level from Yellow
(Elevated) to Orange (High). This Worldwide Caution expires on June 21,
2004.
The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S.
citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of
vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security awareness. We are seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is
preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad.
Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the Middle East in
Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , and in Europe in Istanbul , Turkey . We therefore
assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of
attacks. We expect Al-Qaida will strive for new attacks designed to be more
devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving nonconventional
weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out that
Al-Qaida will attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations,
hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial
aircraft and maritime interests, and threats to include conventional
weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between
official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where U.S.
citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential
areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor
recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a
heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such
locations is unavoidable.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time
to time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies
and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S.
citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain
contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate .
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security
threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information
through its consular information program documents, available on the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov . In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and
Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2 328. “
End Quote
Additional information can be obtained at the internet website of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at www.dhs.gov .
_______________________________________________________
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community informed
of any changes in the overall security situation. To hear a recording of
the most up-to-date security information affecting U.S. citizens in Korea,
please call 02-397-4114 and press the following series of numbers: 1, 1, 1,
7. In addition, notices concerning security matters will also be broadcast
on AFNK television and radio. 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://www.usembassy.state.gov/seoul or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.