By Well at least here is some good news for Korean President Lee Myung-bak who has been swamped with bad news, economically & politically:
U.S. President George W. Bush has announced South Korea’s entry into the U.S. visa waiver program.
Bush said in a statement at the White House Friday that seven nations, including South Korea, have met the requirements to be admitted to the visa waiver program.
Bush said that in about a month, the U.S. will be proud to extend to citizens of the seven countries the privilege of visa-free travel. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are the other countries that have joined the program.
Bush added that Friday’s announcement signifies a new chapter in the relationship between the United States and the seven nations.
South Korean tourists are expected to be able to enjoy visa-free travel to the United States for stays of up to 90 day from as early as the middle of next month. [KBS Global]
Too bad the people this visa waiver would benefit now have no money to fly to America because of the steep rise of the dollar compared to the Korean won.
I have to think that the people working at the US embassy in Seoul have to be thrilled by this announcement because it should reduce the size of the line of Korean nationals waiting to get into the building to apply for a visa every day. For those like myself who have had to wait in that line, it is not a pleasant experience.
3:36 pm on October 17th, 2008 1
I talked to a Korean woman who had been an expat for many years and returned to Korea. She had some strong criticisms of the service provided by the Korean employees at the US Embassy in Seoul.
She said they seemed to lord in their position and were often arrogant and curt to Koreans seeking assistance. This women said that one additional benefit of the lifted visa requirement will be that many of those employees will probably be out of a job.
3:52 pm on October 17th, 2008 2
I have to agree with Joe there. Many Koreans are rip-offs.
4:07 pm on October 17th, 2008 3
Fast Forward one year…how many over-staying Koreans will be roaming the streets of America?
This is a mistake in my book, but since the world is going to Hell-in-a-handbasket at an alarmingly rate..what is one moregroup of illegal Aliens?
9:02 pm on October 17th, 2008 4
I don't that it would open the floodgates for over staying. What would they do? They are not going to be picking fruit or working in sweat shops. Their standards have improved over the past 20 years. Ever heard of 3D jobs; dirty, dangerous or difficult jobs Koreans refuse to do even here in Korea.
As far as I know, most of the illegal alien Korean economy in the States is in the human trafficked sex trade. At its worst, it is not by choice and women desperately try to escape from it. I have known girls who have gotten tourist visas to the States and decided to do some work in the clubs. Some took bad advice and overstayed their visa and then they were trapped. Without a visa they were at the mercy of the underground pimps who took their passports and indentured them to near slavery.
Some girls will still make that mistake under the visa free system but I think the word will get out.
Here is what I think will happen. There will still be people who will travel to the States for economic opportunity. But they will do it semi-legitimately as some foreigners do in Korea now. They will make 2 or 3 trips to the States a year without over staying their visa. Return home for a month or two and then come back. High end Glass House girls could make recurring 3 month tours to the States and rake in good money at better quality Korean clubs in the States. They maintain their independence and stay out of the hands of the underground.
9:27 pm on October 17th, 2008 5
Too bad Korea won't give Americans the same privledge.
10:26 pm on October 17th, 2008 6
Can someone explain to me a technicality?
P.L. 110-53 states that the refusal rate waivers can only be granted after the United States implements an exit system at its airports that can verify the departure of not less than 97% of foreign nationals that exit through U.S. airports, and after the United States establishes an electronic travel authorization system.
I can understand how Bush with an executive order brushed aside the 3 percent refusal rate requirement for entry into the VWP, but has the system for verifying departures and electronic travel authorization system been implemented already? Did Bush waive his magic wand to waive those items as well?
2:21 am on October 18th, 2008 7
Not to worry, I will never visit your great country.
After all I don't need to go somewhere where we're not welcome and are thought of as more pollution. 
4:43 pm on October 23rd, 2008 8
Who is “we” — do you have a mouse in your pocket? Maybe you wouldn’t be welcome but that assumes someone would care that you showed up in the first place…
2:18 pm on November 13th, 2008 9
DHS Signs Agreement on Enhancing Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Crime with the Republic of Korea
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_122608878180…
8:38 am on December 8th, 2008 10
to calmseas comments, I would rather have illegal koreans roaming the streets than illegal mexicans.