Free U. S. Visas

Amb. Vershbow says Korea should have electronic passport to qualify for free visas

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Alexander Vershbow has celebrated his second year of his duty in Korea. As he has always been saying since his arrival two years ago, the Korea-U.S. relations is one of the most important bi-lateral diplomatic relations in the world for both countries.
The top U.S. diplomat in Korea backed up what he said with his actions during the two year service in Korea. He strengthened the ties between Korea and the U.S. by becoming a faithful messenger between the two countries.
There, however, are many pending problems requiring serious attentions by both countries including the Korea-U.S. free trade agreements up for parliamentary approval in both countries, the transfer of war-time military command to Korea during wars, the six party talks on North Korea's nuclear programs and weapons, and the visa waiver program for South Koreans.
During an interview with a local media, he said Koreans will be highly likely to visit the U.S. without visas in the second half of next year if every thing goes well. He said President Bush signed the new law on visas for foreign visitors, which includes provisions that softened the requirements for visa free U.S. visits for foreign citizens such as the visa refusal rates, and those strengthening security matters. The new law requires foreign countries should be able to issue passports with electronic equipment to satisfy the U.S. free visa requirement.
Asked when the U.S. Congress would approve the Korea-U.S. FTA, he said the FTA between the two allies will move their ties a step up and they both will benefit from it. But he said he is not sure when the U.S. Congress would pass it. He said, however, certain the Korean National Assembly would pass it first as Korea wants it badly. The FTA with Korea is very controversial in the U.S., particularly in Congress, but many Congressional leaders came to understand the significance of the FTA.
The top U.S. diplomat in Korea said the Northern Limit Line(NLL) is very sensitive. It should be dealt from the point view of the historic legacy, not the result of the armistice agreement ending the Korean war in 1953. The deal on NLL would have a deep impact on the security in Korea and the U.S. allied forces and peace on the Korean peninsula. The matter should be taken up at army generals'meetings first to build up mutual confidence. If the North raises the NLL matter, Korea should counter it by saying that it depends on military trust build-up since the signing of the South-North Basic Agreement in 1992.
Vershbow also said the U.S. wants to end the negotiations on North Korea's nuclear issues as early as possible. By the end of this year, the North would wrap up the reports on its nuke weapons and disable its nuke facilities for one once and for all. nw

U.S. Amb. Alex Vershbow.