By This time around coming to Korea should definitely be less eventful for former President George W. Bush since he won’t have to face war or beef protesters:
Former U.S. presidents George Bush Sr. and his son George W. Bush are continuing their relationship with a South Korean company.
At the invitation of Poongsan Group CEO Ryu Jin, George W. Bush will attend the 23rd Jeju Summer Forum hosted by the International Management Institute affiliated with the Federation of Korean Industries, and give a special speech on August 1st. The forum opened on Thursday in Seogwipo, Jeju.
Bush junior will arrive in Jeju on Friday and first meet with a group of CEOs from the Federation of Korean Industries. He will later play golf with financial figures Saturday afternoon.
The former U.S. president will also visit the city of Andong at the invitation of Poongsan Group, and give a special speech at Poongsan High School. He will also visit the Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon in the area. His father also made a similar visit in November 2005.
The junior Bush will stay in Korea for five days before returning home on August 4th. [KBS Global]
3:37 am on July 30th, 2009 1
Pardon my possible ignorance, but is there some rule that former presidents can't visit US troops overseas?
It just seems odd to me that a 5 day itinerary in South Korea by 2 former US presidents doesn't even include 1 stop at a military base.
Do our GIs have to go to Poongsan High School or Hahoe Folk Village in order to shake hands with a George Bush?
Again, please forgive me if a troop visit is scheduled but somehow not mentioned in this article.
12:49 pm on July 30th, 2009 2
Trust me, the Troops would love to see Former President George W. Bush. But if Bush paid a visit to see the Troops during His visit to Korea, He would definetly steal obama's show. Former President Bush paying a visit to see the Troops would definetly hurt obama, because obama knows that the Troops appreciate Bush more than him. Former President Bush should visit us, but we all know that it would definetly hurt barak obama, we all know that. When Bush said that He was going to remain silence, to a certain degree, I don't think He wants to get in obama way. But on the other hand, Bush did say that He was going to visit the troops after He leaves Washington. Bush will visit the Troops soon, I know He will, He loves the Troops to much not to do so. He'll visit us soon. Just be patient.
7:46 pm on July 30th, 2009 3
Steal Obama's show? I assume Obama would support any former president visiting troops in Korea, regardless of whether it's a Bush or a Clinton. That's part of his bipartisan variety show, but I also think it demonstrates his respect for the position of US president.
I guess my thinking is way off base, if you will pardon the pun. If I'm Obama, I encourage the senior Bush (a WW2 veteran) to visit the troops in Korea and bring his son along as well. Visiting a local high school and a cultural destination sounds like something former first lady Laura Bush would do. George W. couldn't get a speaking gig at a Korean college? I just don't think Obama's show is easy for George W. to steal. If I'm George H. Bush, I don't need permission from Obama to visit Osan AFB. If I'm George W. Bush, I not only go straight to "Camp George" in Daegu; I head for the dadgum DMZ! Let Laura do the high school lecture and go speak to the US troops! "U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! Hoo-rah!"
3:47 am on July 31st, 2009 4
"At the invitation of Poongsan Group CEO Ryu Jin"
I assume that means Poongsan Group is paying for his trip and is setting his itinerary.
5:44 am on July 31st, 2009 5
I get that. So he has to complete the itinerary and wear a Poongsan Group polo shirt for 5 days. Can't he stay an extra day or two in Korea after that? Is he worried about the accumulation of tumbleweed on his Texas ranch? There must be a logical reason why he can't extend his stay in Korea and visit the troops on his own time and expense.