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

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

Donism for Expats

A typical foreigner in South Korea

The same idea that was behind making my information page about Costco in Korea, has lead me to start a section called “Donism for Expats” so I can expand the concept and help out fellow Aliens in Korea.

The second addition to the section is Sindorim Technomart. I have been getting some Google hits looking for the Technomart and information related to it.

2010/5/30 Edit: Today I added an information page on registering with the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. It’s quite easy, actually. Although, it took me 10 months to get around to it.

If someone has a good idea for another addition, leave a comment below. I have a few ideas, including the Yeongdeungpo Times Square complex / mall.

Embassy’s Advisory to Canadians in Korea

If you are registered with the Canadian Embassy in Korea, you would have received this email. If not, and you are a Canadian, here it is for your information. At the bottom is a list of links, including one for registering with the Embassy.

Dear Canadian Citizen,

In May 2010, a multinational investigation team concluded that North Korea (DPRK) was responsible for the sinking of a South Korean warship resulting in 46 casualties. The evolving political response is likely to cause even greater inter-Korean tensions, which could escalate into other forms of confrontation. This situation has been extensively covered by international news media over the last week.

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