Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

Got an email from the US Embassy, warning about traffic disruptions and potential protests. Thought I'd let others know if they don't get the email.
________________________________________

Apr 2008 01:03:10 -0500 (CDT)

The U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea advises American citizens in
Seoul to exercise caution during the Olympic torch relay through Seoul
on the afternoon of Sunday, April 27. The relay will result in the
closure of numerous streets, leading to transportation disruptions.
Furthermore, several organizations may stage protests against Chinese
policies to coincide with the relay. These demonstrations could escalate
with little warning, further disrupting transportation systems and posing
potential risks to bystanders�� personal safety.

The specific route of the Olympic torch has not been announced and may
be subject to last-minute changes, but the planned starting point is in
Olympic Park (south of the Han River) and the finishing point is at
Seoul City Hall. American citizens should monitor news reports leading
up to April 27 to determine the most current situation and to be aware
of the final relay route. The Embassy recommends that non-essential
travel be postponed and that alternate routes be used to avoid the torch
route.

---------------------------

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: [email protected]

End of text.

[Beej]

Who will be doing this protesting? Are there many Tibetans here?

[Samantha]

Who knows. It just says "several organizations"...very vague but then again this a gov't agency putting out a warning . I think it's a good photo opportunity, not often you get to see the torch or a major protest like this.

[loose_ends]

This would be good day to be out. Has anyone ever been to one of these? Is it at all possible to move with the crowd as the torch goes through the city?

Thanks

[On the other hand]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[doc_ido]

I remember a few small anti-China demonstrations earlier in the year, so I guess the same group(s) will be out in force. Should be worth a look, unless the riot police are out too.

[doc_ido]

Actually, didn't some Korean athletes boycott the relay in protest?

[mindmetoo]

$5 for the first person to post a photo of a protestor holding a "dokdo is Korea!" sign. While China has nothing to do with this dispute, Koreans are pretty sure the world at large is responsible for the situation. Nothing made me lose my lunch more than seeing Koreans staging a "free hugs" things with the rider that you only got a free hug if you agreed dokdo was Korea. Geez. What a way to turn a sappy politics free feel good meme into a ajushi Korean rant.

[Typhoon]

There should be protests not just about Tibet. China has gotten a free pass for supporting the genocide in Dafur and trying to ship arms to Mugabe this week. It is ridiculous how much China can get away with. Imagine North Korea was doing the same thing. The fact that everyone is smiling away with China and companies are still pouring money into China for the Olympics is brutal. If North Korea was sending weapons to Mugabe they would be serious problems. It is time for anti-China protests and not regarding Tibet. There are a lot worse things than Tibet that China is involved in.

[Bouvguy]

Does anyone know the route/times of the torch run? It says it will begin at Olympic Park and end at City Hall, but a start/finish time would be nice and how they are going to connect those dots.

[Samantha]

[Matchbook]

I just found a news report that says that the Torch will begin at Olympic Park at 2, and then end at City Hall at 7.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Asia/STIStory_231603.html

I've googled it, and those times have popped up on a few other media releases and the such, so hopefully all is well.

The wide-scale protests expected are pretty much mentioned in all of them... so everybody, try not to get arrested.