Ruminations in Korea

Here is a message received from the US Embassy - Seoul. Foreigners throughout Seoul should take note.

The U.S. Embassy 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.

An alliance of several hundred civic and student activist groups declared that they plan to organize candlelight vigil protests every night in Seoul and other cities until the parliamentary impeachment vote is rescinded. Korean police authorities advised the Embassy that large-scale demonstrations drawing thousands of people would continue until the scheduled April 15th National Assembly elections. Korean police further advised that demonstrations are planned each evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Kyobo building, near the U.S. Embassy. This past weekend tens of thousands of people demonstrated against the impeachment in Seoul at Yoido and Kwanghwamun (near the U.S. Embassy) and thousands demonstrated in Pusan, Kwangju and Chunchon.

In addition, on Saturday, March 20, two large-scale demonstrations are planned in Seoul. An anti-war demonstration protesting Korean troops being sent to Iraq is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Marronnier Park, near Korea National Open University, and an anti-impeachment rally will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Kyobo building, near the U.S. Embassy.

Political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent. American citizens should exercise caution and avoid gatherings of large groups in order to minimize risk to their personal safety.

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/.