VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHUL #1142/01 1570754
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050754Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0316
INFO RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4516
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4378
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 8770
UNCLAS SEOUL 001142
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG OTRA AMGT KNNP PREL MNUC KN CH JA RS
SUBJECT: KOREA COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR SIX-PARTY ECONOMY AND
ENERGY WORKING GROUP, JUNE 10-11
REF: SECSTATE 60290
1. (U) Embassy Seoul welcomes and grants country clearance for the
official visit to Seoul of the Six-Party Economy and Energy Working
Group (EEWG) during June 10-11, 2008. The EEWG includes National
Security Council Director of Asian Economic Affairs Kurt Tong, U.S.
Department of Energy Office employee Wayne Mei, and Office of the
Secretary of Defense Country Director for Korea Asian and Pacific
Security Affairs Alison Garfield. The purpose of their visit is to
participate in official meetings.
CONTACT INFORMATION
--------------------
2. (U) Control officer for the visit is Political Officer
Brian McFeeters.
Office telephone: (82)(2) 397-4133
Embassy operator (82)(2) 397-4114 then press "0"
Cell phone: (82)(010) 9020-4133
Fax number: (82)(2) 733-4791
Unclassified email: McFeetersBD@state.gov
Classified email: McFeetersBD@state.sgov.gov
LODGING
-------
3. (U) Embassy has reserved three rooms at the Lotte Hotel for June
9-12, 2008 at per diem rates. The reservation confirmation number
is 10122100 for all guests. Hotel is located at 1 Sogong-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul Korea 100-070, Seoul; hotel phone number is
82-2-771-1000; fax number: 82-2-752-3758. Cancellation policy is 24
hours prior to arrival to avoid one-night penalty.
TRANSPORTATION
--------------
4. (U) All official travelers must possess a Korean visa to enter
the country. Travelers may contact the nearest Korean
Consulate/Embassy to obtain a visa. It is post policy to meet and
assist visitors only at the rank of Ambassador, Deputy Assistant
Secretary and above. The group will not be met at the airport.
Airport buses and taxis are available as follows:
A. Taxi:
A-1) Regular (white cap or blue cap): In front of exit gate No. 7A
or 7B. Fee will be around 60,000 won, including toll fee. Normally
white cap provides better service.
A-2) Deluxe (black color with yellow cap): In front of exit gate No.
11A or 11B. Fee will be almost twice as much as the regular taxis.
B. Bus (KAL Limousine):
B-1) Fare: 13,000 won
B-2) Bus Stop: Exit gate no. 4B or 11A. The number of the bus is 1.
B-3) The name of the bus stop you get off at: Lotte Hotel
B-4) Remarks: You can see labels of destinations, including Lotte
Hotel, on the side of the bus. Tell the bus driver that you want to
get off at the Lotte Hotel.
There is a departure tax of 27,000 won for all non-diplomatic
passport holders. For travelers on diplomatic passports, the
departure tax should have been added to your ticket by your travel
office. If your travel office has already added the tax to the
price of your tickets you can pick up a refund when leaving Korea.
After going through immigration look for the tax refund kiosk (one
is located near Gate 28) and present your passport and tickets for a
cash refund.
THREAT ASSESSMENT
-----------------
5. (U) Americans in Seoul are subject to worldwide threat from
international terrorists, although we have no information to suggest
any specific terrorists threats directed at Americans here.
Political demonstrations occur frequently in Seoul, and are
occasionally anti-American. Americans can minimize personal risk by
staying away from demonstrations and by avoiding confrontation or
altercations with protestors. While relatively infrequent by U.S.
standards, street crime does occur. Most reported crimes involve
pick-pocketing in tourist areas and are predominantly non-violent in
nature. The security precautions a person would take in any large
city are appropriate throughout South Korea.
6. (SBU) As a matter of prudence, you must assume that all rooms,
telephones, cellular phones, and fax machines can be monitored. You
should not discuss sensitive or classified information in
uncontrolled areas. Official travelers should ensure that hard-copy
and electronic sensitive information is not left in hotel rooms.
Computers, including laptops and Personal Digital Assistants, cannot
be brought into the Embassy except with prior permission from the
RSO office.
7. (U) Police are considered capable and well trained. Seoul
metropolitan authorities staff English-speaking personnel 24 hours
daily to handle local emergencies. Telephone numbers are as
follows: 112 police emergency, 119 fire and ambulance.
VERSHBOW