From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- South Korea
Date: 18 Nov 92 06:48:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: CompuSer.921118152525_76702.1202_CHN59-1
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - South Korea
============================================================
South Korea - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea (South 
Korea) is located at 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul - telephone 
(82-2) 397-4000/4008 and (82-2) 397-4114.  The U.S. Consulate is 
located in Pusan at 24 2-Ka, Daechung Dong, Chung-ku  - telephone 
(82-51) 246-7791.

Country Description:  The Republic of Korea is a highly developed 
stable democratic republic with powers shared between the president 
and the legislature.  It has a modern economy, and tourist 
facilities are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  Visas are not 
required for tourist stays of up to fifteen days.  For longer stays 
and other types of travel, visas must be obtained in advance.  
Specific requirements are available through the Embassy of the 
Republic of Korea at 2600 Virginia Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20037, telephone (202) 939-5660/63, or the nearest Consulate General 
in major U.S. cities.

Medical Facilities:  Health care facilities in the Republic of 
Korea are good.  Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash 
payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always 
valid outside the united states.  Supplemental medical insurance 
with specific overseas coverage has proved useful.  The 
international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control 
(404) 332-4559 has additional useful health information.

Information on Crime:  The crime rate in the Republic of Korea is 
low.  The Korean National Police (KNP) operate a Central 
Interpretation Center (CIC) where foreigners can report incidents of 
crime.  The CIC are available on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis, 
telephone 313-0842.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables 
and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided 
in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Passport Seizures/Exit Bans - Commercial Disputes:  The Government 
of Korea sometimes seizes the passports of foreigners involved in 
commercial disputes.  Under these circumstances, the U.S. Government 
will reissue a passport to an American citizen who applies for one.  
Even if a new U.S. passport is issued, the Government of South Korea 
may block departure.

Demonstrations:  Student demonstrations, sometimes confrontational, 
occasionally occur.  It is unlikely that disturbances would be 
directed against U.S. citizen travelers.

Teaching English:  There have been numerous complaints from U.S. 
citizens who have gone to Korea to teach English under contract -- 
with promises of big salaries, furnished apartments, bonuses, and 
other amenities -- only to find some institutions reneging on the 
contracts.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy or 
U.S. Consulate can obtain updated information on travel and security 
within the country.

 No. 92-114