About VPP Busan

Busan International Seafood and Fisheries Expo

On November 16-19, 2006, the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) of the U.S. Embassy will anchor a U.S. pavilion at the fourth annual Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BIFSE). 

According to Stan Phillips, Director of the ATO, "BISFE is the largest seafood-related show held in Korea and one of the most efficient tools for connecting seafood buyers with sellers.  I am looking forward to participating in this important event in Busan."

A variety of U.S. exhibitors representing U.S. seafood producers from the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of the United States will be present at BIFSE to exhibit their products and discuss business opportunities with interested attendees.  U.S. exhibitors will include representatives from Ramblin' Roostr' Sauces (www.ramblinroostr.com) and Sea Watch International (www.seawatch.com). 

Chef John Maxwell’s return to BIFSE is expected to be a highlight of the U.S. pavilion.  Chef Maxwell will hold cooking demonstrations and offer show attendees a chance to taste the distinctive flavor of seafood from the Southern region of the United States. 

Attendees will also be able to sample Dungeness Crab from the West Coast of the United States during the first ever Dungeness Crab promotion at BIFSE.

For additional information about the U.S. pavilion at BIFSE please contact us at ATOSeoul@usda.gov.

Ambassador Vershbow Continues Regional Outreach in Busan

On October 12, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and Mrs. Lisa Vershbow attended the premiere of the 2006 Pusan International Film Festival, Asia's largest film festival.  Their attendance was followed by a visit to the Busan Biennale.  On October 13, the Vershbows met Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik to discuss current issues, including the planned American Presence Post (APP) project in the city.  Later, the Ambassador had an exclusive interview with the Busan Ilbo.  They ended their Busan programs by touring a well-known Buddhist temple and visited the recently opened Gimhae Clayarch Museum.

Newbery Award Winner Cynthia Kadohata with Busan Writers

On September 14, Newbery Award Winner Cynthia Kadohata shared her life history and work with local writers at the Busan American Corner.  She introduced her writing, explained how her family, background and experience influenced much of her work, and clarified why she began writing children’s books.  Having written for The New Yorker, Grand Street Magazine and other well-known magazines, she has been celebrated by the New York Times as "the new rising voice in literature." 

Local University English Club Students Meet with ETAs at American Corner in Busan

Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) residing in Busan had a "Meet and Greet" session with local university English Club members at the American Corner in Busan on September 14.  The Regional Program Officer, Jean Vander Woude, introduced internship opportunities for ETAs and students at both at the Embassy and the Corners and discussed new program developments. 

Wife of U.S. Ambassador to Korea Conducts “Lecture Diplomacy” with Pliers

On September 12, Mrs. Lisa Vershbow shared her life and vision as a jewelry designer with 50 design students, parents, and teachers at Busan Design High School.  She conducted a one-hour, hands-on workshop where she introduced several ways to transform everyday materials such as soda cans and light bulbs into works of art and ready-to-wear accessories.  After the workshop, she gave a presentation on her life as an artist to a different group of students. 

Ambassador Vershbow Drums Along with the USFK Band in the IRC’s Holiday Series Program Celebrating Independence Day

On July 7, Ambassador Vershbow joined in celebrating Independence Day along with 200 Korean youth at the IRC.  Marking the IRC's third American Holiday Series of 2006, this very lively and entertaining program also included the participation of the Busan and Gwangju American Corners and, via DVC, a special guest speaker from Washington D.C., Dr. James I. Deutsch, Program Curator of Smithsonian Institution.

PAO Don Q. Washington Receives a Plaque of Appreciation from Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education

On July 5, PAO Dr. Washington received a plaque of appreciation for his contributions and devotion to establishing the Busan American Corner which was prepared by Seol Dong-Keun, Superintendent, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education.

Dong-A University MOU Signing Ceremony

On July 5, the ninth "Window on America" bookshelf was established at Dong-A University. At the MOU signing ceremony, PAO Don Q. Washington expressed his wish for the bookshelf to serve as a valuable resource for accurate and reliable information on the U.S. for students and faculty members. 

Pukyung National University MOU Signing Ceremony

PDAS Stephens’ Visit to Busan Covered in The Busan Women’s News

Kookje Shinmun’s Exclusive Interview with Dr. Andrew Benson

On June 21, U.S. Embassy Seoul’s Agricultural and Public Affairs sections connected Dr. Andrew Benson, Vice President of International Relations at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), to Busan media, NGOs, and academia.  Dr. Benson hosted a lunch roundtable discussion with representatives of the most influential consumer groups in Busan.  He also gave an interview to a local newspaper and later gave a lecture to 40 faculty members and students at Pukyong National University’s (PKNU) Food Science and Technology Division.

Ambassador and Mrs. Vershbow with 2006 Regional U.S. Studies Seminar Participants

U.S. Embassy Seoul organized the 2006 Regional U.S. Studies Seminar in Jeju on May 26-27.  The goal was to engage and inform professors and students of the U.S. Studies community.  U.S. Embassy Seoul invited guest speakers from the public and private sectors: history professor Dr. Sung Bok Kim from SUNY Albany (currently teaching at Youngnam University) and Mark Patton, Director of GCT Corporate Training and AMCHAM Korea member.  Ambassador Alexander Vershbow delivered congratulatory remarks during a spirited dinner discussion.

Ambassador Vershbow Talking to College Students at Bunjae Artpia Garden

Ambassador Vershbow made his first trip to Jeju-do island, where he participated in a series of programs and events on May 26 and 27.  He paid courtesy calls on Jeju’s Acting Governor and Media Daum, one of Korea’s largest and most influential Internet portals.    On May 27, he visited several cultural sites including Jeju Sculpture Park, Jeju Peace Museum, Green Tea Museum, and Bunjae Artpia Garden.  At the Garden, he and Mrs. Vershbow had a lunch discussion with eight local university students on a variety of topics (music, FTA, North Korea, English language training, ideal vacation destinations). 

Cheju National University MOU Signing Ceremony

On May 26, the eighth "Window on America" bookshelf was established at Cheju National University.  Marking the 54th anniversary of its founding on the same day as the MOU signing ceremony, Cheju National University held a tape-cutting ceremony in front of the “Window on America” bookshelf. 

IRC Director Kim Su Nam Speaks to Professors and Students at Cheju National University

On May 25, IRC Director Kim Su Nam conducted a presentation on IRC services and resources followed by a Q&A session to 35 professors and students at Lifelong Education Center of Cheju National University.  Dr. Kim presented U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Affairs Section's activities to support Study of USA including the IRC’s resources and U.S. Embassy websites.

Dr. Moustafa Bayoumi with Students

On May 18-19, U.S. Embassy Seoul organized presentations by Dr. Moustafa Bayoumi, literature professor at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.  He presented on "Islam in America" to 80 faculty members and university students at the American Studies Center at Dong-eui University.

Dr. Mary Yu Danico Throws Down Hawaiian Signs with Busan Students

On May 11-12, U.S. Embassy Seoul organized a program for Fulbright scholar Mary Yu Danico, sociology professor at Cal Poly Pomona University, at two universities in Busan.  Dr. Yu Danico gave her presentation on "Korean Identities: What it Means to be Korean-American in Korea" to 100 students at Kosin University.  The next day, she spoke to 150 faculty members and university students at Pukyoung National University (PKNU). 

SELF Thomas Santos with Masun Elementary School Sixth Graders Following the Class Demonstration Session

With 30 elementary English teachers from Koje and the neighboring cities in attendance, Thomas Santos, U.S. Embassy’s Senior English Language Fellow (SELF), conducted a three-day teacher training workshop at Koje University Language Training Institute from April 19-21, 2006.  The workshop had three sessions that focused on children-centered teaching methodologies. 

SELF Thomas Santos at Fulbright English Teaching Assistant’s Spring Conference

On April 1 and 2, Thomas Santos, Senior English Language Fellow (SELF), conducted workshops at the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Spring Conference in Jeju.  Meeting the group for the second time, Mr. Santos presented two workshops to assist ETAs in improving their teaching skills.

Mrs. Lisa Vershbow Gathers with Metalsmithing Students at Busan’s Shilla University

On Monday, March 20, Mrs. Lisa Vershbow, wife of the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, Alexander Vershbow, traveled to Busan to speak with 150 university students and faculty members at Shilla University's Art Department on the topic of "An American Metalsmith in Russia."

Robert Cassidy Speaks at Pukyong National University in Busan

From March 16-17, U.S. Speaker Robert B. Cassidy, Director of International Trade and Services at the law firm of Collier, Shannon, & Scott, conducted three programs and media interviews with six regional newspapers in Gwangju and Busan.  Mr. Cassidy spoke on the topic of "Five Challenges to Multilateral Trade Negotiations from APEC to the WTO" to students and faculty members of the College of Business Administration at Pukyong National University in Busan.

Barbara Franklin Speaks to the Korean Management Association in Busan

From March 8-10, U.S. Embassy Seoul arranged a series of meetings, media interviews, and speaking engagements in Busan for former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Barbara Hackman Franklin.  As currently the Chair of the Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center Advisory Council, Ms. Franklin delivered a speech to 60 members of Busan’s Korea Management Association, an organization of the area’s business leaders.

U.S. Embassy Signs MOU with Pusan National University for “Window on America” Bookshelf Program

On February 22, U.S. Embassy opened its third "Window on America" bookshelf at Pusan National University (PNU).  This marked the first time that a "Window on America" bookshelf was established at a university outside of Seoul.  "Window on America" is a new initiative of U.S. Embassy Seoul to establish bookshelves stocked with English and Korean translated U.S. government publications in frequently visited areas by young Koreans throughout the country, such as university libraries and youth community centers.  The project is a partnership between U.S. Embassy Seoul and select institutions.