Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Himself]

Just had an interesting experience....

I went to look at the US Embassy Seoul website (http://seoul.usembassy.gov) to check the evacuation sites for those living in Seoul. I remembered that there were two evacuation centers, both of which were south of the Han (Mokdong and Jamsil). I went to http://seoul.usembassy.gov/acs_emergency_evacuation.html only to find this message: "At this time, there is no consideration of an evacuation."

Why would they cancel the old evacuation plan without any update? I tried calling the Embassy to get the new evacuation plan without any success. I was told that the information was "reserved" and that "there was no consideration of an evacuation at this time," but that if anything happened "you will be the first to know." I was also told that leaving the evacuation plan up might "cause mass panic," while that person's superior said that "although it might seem that the evacuation plan was removed to prevent mass panic, the truth is that the plan is just being updated." When I asked how I was supposed to receive information in the event of an emergency, I was told that they have ways of informing citizens, such as the warden e-mail system. When I inquired as to how I was supposed to receive evacuation information if the internet or electricity went out, I was told to "use my imagination."

I highly recommend all those concerned to call the public servants at the embassy at 02-397-4040.

[thrylos]

You're assuming that A) they really care and want to help evacuate the average Joe living and teaching in Korea at the beginning of armed hostilities, and B) they actually have a half-feasible plan of doing so for 5-10 thousand (??) US folks living all over SK not attached to the military.

You have better hopes of running to the advancing NorKs and saying you've always been a firm believer in Juche and get their clemency than boarding a US plane or boat heading out of Korea....BTW, isn't the Canadian Embassy's plan to use US transportation out of here? I've got 3 highly-used bridges back in NY I want to sell, you know, desperate economic times and all that!!! Haha!!

[decolyon]

Ha.

And they said I was crazy for packing an emergency bag and mapping a route South that could be traveled by foot.

Well, who's crazy now?

[interestedinhanguk]

I noticed this, too! They used to have the plans on the website. One might be able to find the plans somewhere else online, but they're probably not applicable anymore anyways.

Great use of logic. They normally have evacuation plans, but they remove them during times of increased tension as not to worry us. USA Sparkling.

[thomas pars]

Dude didn't Katrina and the BP oil spill teach you anything?

When it goes down you and me are the last things on their mind.

[NM14456]

One thing to think about - and my only intelligence experience is watching the first two seasons of '24', is that the embassy may not want this info to be public in an ongoing way.

Giving little or less notice on where these places will be keeps the wrong people from setting up shop near them or monitoring what the US is anticipating.

[nathanrutledge]

[Junior]

[nathanrutledge]

[Junior]

[mc_jc]

As more Americans arrive in Korea to work and live, it becomes harder to provide a sound evacuation plan. The original plan was in place under the assumption that there were only 20,000 citizens residing in the country- which would be enough to keep safely on an aircraft carrier.