Dram Man: Flag BBQ Planned, Get your wieners out!

Friday, July 07, 2006

Flag BBQ Planned, Get your wieners out!

Since some bloggers are performing this public service, I will as well. From the US Embassy...

Embassy of the United States of America Seoul, Korea

American Citizen Services

Consular Section

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.

Korean police authorities advised the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that a series of large-scale anti-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) protests will occur in downtown Seoul, Monday through Friday, July 10-14, 2006.

Monday ?Friday, July 10-14, several hundred people are expected in front of Donghwa Duty Free building two blocks south of the U.S. Embassy. Additionally the police expect a large gathering around Shilla Hotel, where the talks will take place.

On Wednesday, July 12, in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., up to 20,000 participants are expected to protest against the FTA.

Traffic may be congested in these areas during the times indicated above. The Embassy advises American citizens and their family members to plan their travel accordingly.

Additional gatherings may occur during the week as the FTA talks continue.

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. Streets may also close without warning on orders of the local police. American citizens are advised to expect heavy traffic delays. Please report any suspicious incidents or surveillance immediately to the Embassy (tel: 02-397-4000 (24 hours); fax: 02-397-4101; or e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov).

The Embassy encourages all American citizens to read and follow the suggestions in the world wide public announcement issued by the Department of State on June 6, 2006. See http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html or http://travel.state.gov/.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community informed of any changes in the overall security situation. 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://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department뭩 Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. 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).

American Citizen Services

U.S. Embassy Seoul

32, Sejongno, Jongno-gu

Seoul 110-710, Korea

Tel: 82-2-397-4114

Fax: 82-2-397-4101

DSN: 721-4114

http://www.asktheconsul.org/ (English)

http://www.usavisas.org/ (Korean)

e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov

This warden message expires on July 15, 2006.