As promised, The Korean consulate in DC has a resolution for the visa problem. The Korean Consular General for the United States has committed to preparing two letters for U.S. citizens to carry with them. The letters, one in English and one in Korean addressed to border officials, states that U.S. citizens traveling to Korea to attend the IETF meeting and/or tourism for up to 30 days DO NOT NEED A VISA. The IETF secretariat expects to receive these letters by Friday, Feb. 6 and will let you know when they are posted as graphics on the www.ietf.org web site. Print copies and carry with you. About customs and immigration. "Less said, faster through." Just show your passport and say you are attending a technical meeting in Seoul by a nonprofit organization. Should the official inquire about a visa, then show him the letters. TO BE CLEAR: This applies only for U.S. citizens with a current passport traveling to Korea to attend the IETF meeting -- a technical conference by a nonprofit group. If you are traveling to Korea to attend additional business meetings then technically you require a visa, as does a government employee acting in an official capacity. Gene Gaines gene.gaines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sterling, Virginia My previous email: On Thursday, January 29, 2004, 3:24:01 PM, Gene wrote: > An official letter is coming from the responsible > Korean government official in Washington DC. > I wrote the text for him, so unless he gets it > messed up, will be very clear that U.S. citizens do > not need a visa for IETF meeting in Korea. > The Korean sponsor also is attempting to get such > a letter in Seoul. > I expect we will have and Foretec can post on the > IETF meeting web site by next Monday -- so I > hope this can put the issue to sleep for a few > days. > If you disagree, please let me know. > Otherwise, in the issue of visas for the moment > silence will be golden. > Gene Gaines > gene.gaines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Sterling, Virginia -- As promised. The Korean consulate in DC has a resolution for the visa problem. Was not easy, as the language we are using is confusing to the Koreans. (Somehow, the word "engineering" gets translated as applied engineering and therefore assumed to be business, etc., but this is off subject.) I spoke Monday afternoon with the Korean Consular General for the United States -- Mr. Byung Kil Han. He does understand the situation, wants his country to be a good host, and fully agrees that U.S. citizens visiting Korea do not need a visa to attend the IETF meeting and/or tourism for up to 30 days. He has instructed the First Secretary, Mr. Won Sup Park, to prepare and fax to me two letters: (1) to those traveling stating that a visa not required, and (2) a letter in Korean to Korean border officials ordering them to admit the traveler without a visa. Those two letters will be faxed to me, I will create as a basic TIF and GIF format files and send on to Foretec to post at www.ietf.org/meetings/IETF-59.html. I spoke with Park several times today, and am coordinating with Marsha and Dawn Thomas at the IETF Secretariat These letters must be written and vetted carefully, so I expect them by Thursday or Friday. I don't want to rush Park and cause more confusion. TO BE CLEAR: This applies only for U.S. citizens with a current passport. They are traveling to Korea to attend a technical conference by a nonprofit group. If they also will go on to attend business meetings then technically they require a visa, as does a government employee acts in an official capacity in Korea. I hope this is constructive. Want to change something, let me know. If I'm interfering, tell me and I'll be gone. I will post a quick note to the ietf@xxxxxxxx list. Gene Gaines gene.gaines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sterling, Virginia My previous email: On Thursday, January 29, 2004, 3:24:01 PM, Gene wrote: > An official letter is coming from the responsible > Korean government official in Washington DC. > I wrote the text for him, so unless he gets it > messed up, will be very clear that U.S. citizens do > not need a visa for IETF meeting in Korea. > The Korean sponsor also is attempting to get such > a letter in Seoul. > I expect we will have and Foretec can post on the > IETF meeting web site by next Monday -- so I > hope this can put the issue to sleep for a few > days. > If you disagree, please let me know. > Otherwise, in the issue of visas for the moment > silence will be golden. > Gene Gaines > gene.gaines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Sterling, Virginia -- On Thursday, January 29, 2004, 3:01:37 PM, Gene wrote: > An attempt to attenuate the visa discussion. > The Korean Consulate in Washington DC is preparing an official > letter intended to clearly state that U.S. citizens do not need > a visa to attend the IETF meeting in Seoul. > I will forward a graphic of the letter to the IETF Directorate, > who has agreed to post on the web. > Suggest giving the visa for U.S. citizens issue a rest for > four days, time to get the official letter. > Note. I can think of no reason to have a letter of invitation > unless you need a visa. > Gene Gaines > gene.gaines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Sterling, Virginia --