Canadian Embassy Alert: Special Civil Emergency Exercise Today (2010.12.15)

There will be a special emergency preparedness exercise held in Korea today at 2:00PM for 15 minutes. Remember this is just a drill.

Official email from the Canadian Embassy…

South Korea will hold a nationwide special civil emergency exercise today at 14:00 for 15 minutes. Sirens will sound, transport will be stopped and some people may be asked to take shelter in metro stations or basements. Aircraft may be heard overhead. There is no need to be alarmed. On 23 November, North Korea fired multiple rounds of artillery shells at the island of Yeonpyeong, killing 4 people and injuring several more. South Korea responded with its own artillery and has strengthened its military presence in the area. We advise against travel to Yeonpyong, or to the other North West Islands of Baengnyeong-do, Daecheong-do, Socheong-do and Woo-do. We assess that there is no substantially increased risk or danger to those living in or travelling to other areas of South Korea as a result of current tensions. Canadians should be vigilant, monitor ongoing developments, and follow the advice of local authorities.
Canadians are encouraged to maintain their level of readiness to cope with any emergency situation. It is recommended that:

you ensure that your travel documents, including your passport, are valid;
you have registered with the online Registry of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) and/or updated your registration with your latest information.

Please see the weblinks below for additional information:

Travel report-up-to-date information about Korea
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=153000

Registry of Canadians Abroad
https://www.voyage2.gc.ca/Registration_inscription/Register_Inscrire/Login_ouvrir-une-session-eng.aspx?fwd=true&hash=p0V4sJhYtXNnDsAOImpW8w6161

How to obtain a passport
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/passport-passeport.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency evacuation
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/emergency_plan_urgence.aspx?lang=eng

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/evacuations-eng.asp

We hope that this information will be helpful to you,

Your Consular team
Embassy of Canada

16-1, Jeong-dong,
Jung-gu, CPO Box 6299,
Seoul, Korea 100-662

Canada’s military (non-) presence in Korea

With the recent stirrings, and the sad departure of four during the escapades of the North, we have all been focused on military issues.

Canada’s non-response is almost definitely because we’re already spread thin in Afghanistan, but it did raise some curiosity in me. I’ve always wondered what exactly our military presence is here, and it turns out the Canadian military totals exactly… three (3). That would be a Colonel (an attaché with the UN Command), his assistant (a Sergeant), and a Major in the Korean Army Staff College (so says The Globe and Mail).

The briefing note indicates Canada’s military footprint in the Korean Peninsula today is very light. Canada’s defence attache to Seoul, a colonel, and his assistant, a sergeant, represent the country on the UNC. Canada’s defence attach in Tokyo represents Canada at the UNC’s “rear” headquarters in Japan. And Canada also contributes a major to the Korean Army Staff College.

Looking around, perhaps I have found the document which ties us (I think this is a good thing) and other members of the United Nations Command who took part in the Korean War to the defense of the peninsula.

“…We affirm, in the interests of world peace, that if there is a renewal of the armed attack, challenging again the principles of the United Nations, we should again be united and prompt to resist.”

Found on page 54 of
CANADA’S ARMY IN KOREA – THE UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS, l950-53, AND THEIR AFTERMATH: A SHORT OFFICIAL ACCOUNT BY THE HISTORICAL SECTION, GENERAL STAFF, ARMY HEADQUARTERS, OTTAWA. 1956 (from the Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage)

This was signed on June 28, 1953 by those members of the United Nations Command who were included therein by default after participation in the Korean War. Does this mean Canada will have a presence sometime in Korea? Probably not. While “it is not inconceivable” (ibid)  that we could see a Navy ship show up, for now it’s just strong condemnations from Mr H. Besides, with the US military’s foothold here, is Canada even needed?

Sources:

New Korean war could ensnare Canada, documents suggest (The Globe and Mail)

Fallen marines laid to rest (The Korea Herald)

S. Korea-U.S. drills begin in Yellow Sea, as China’s talks proposal gets cold response (Yonhap)

CANADA’S ARMY IN KOREA – THE UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS, l950-53, AND THEIR AFTERMATH: A SHORT OFFICIAL ACCOUNT BY THE HISTORICAL SECTION, GENERAL STAFF, ARMY HEADQUARTERS, OTTAWA (Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage)

Canadian Embassy responds to the North Korea situation

Basically, the response is that there is no response. I have some things to say, but lets see what develops.

I would, however, not recommend responding to the situation like an asshat, with calls for an all-out “strike,” like one American has:

@chrisinseoulsk Why is Lee not ordering a full-fledged strike? The Cheonan and this incident reminds me of how little fight SK has. Wae geu-rae, man?

I believe my response to the Cheonan incident still stands. For now, here’s the email for those not registered with the embassy.

If you are interested in registering with the Embassy to ensure you are informed, we have a nifty guide in the Donism for Expats section.

Dear Canadian Citizen,

The Embassy of Canada in Seoul is aware of the current situation on Yeonpyeong Island.  For the moment, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has not changed the risk level for the two countries nor released any official warning. The Canadian Embassy to Korea is closely monitoring the situation and will advise the Canadian community in Korea of developments as required.  As the situation evolves, you are advised to consult the Travel Report for South Korea for up-to-date information.

Canadians are encouraged to maintain their level of readiness to cope with any emergency situation. It is recommended that:

you ensure that your travel documents, including your passport, are valid;
you have registered with the online Registry of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) and/or updated your registration with your latest information.

Please see the weblinks below for additional information:

Travel report-up-to-date information about Korea
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=153000

Registry of Canadians Abroad
https://www.voyage2.gc.ca/Registration_inscription/Register_Inscrire/Login_ouvrir-une-session-eng.aspx?fwd=true&hash=p0V4sJhYtXNnDsAOImpW8w6161

How to obtain a passport
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/passport-passeport.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency evacuation
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/emergency_plan_urgence.aspx?lang=eng

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/evacuations-eng.asp

We hope that this information will be helpful to you,

Your Consular team
Embassy of Canada

16-1, Jeong-dong,
Jung-gu, CPO Box 6299,
Seoul, Korea 100-662

Tel. (International) : 82-2-3783-6000
Tel. (Domestic) : 02-3783-6000
Fax (International) : 82-2-3783-6239
Fax (Domestic) : 02-3783-6239
Email: seoul@international.gc.ca
Emergency Services : 1-613-996-8885