American Presence Post(APP) Activities

- 2008 - | | | April - June 2008

April 19, 2008

APP Officer Todd Campbell with members of the Busan diplomatic community and city government enjoyed getting to know one another while climbing Geumjeong Mountain of Busan City.  The event organized by Busan City’s International Cooperation Division was held on April 19th.

New York City’s Battery Dance Company performed at Kyung Sung University, Busan. April 15, 2008

Busan was the first stop on their Asian tour.  The dance troupe’s performances touched on a wide variety of themes.  The audience was given an interpretive glimpse into U.S. high school culture and even the lives of seashells in an  underwater environment.

APP Officer Todd Campbell addresses students of Kyemyung University in Daegu April 15, 2008

On April 15, APP Officer Todd Campbell spoke about U.S. student visa application process and also about studying abroad in America. Please remember that despite the recent signing of a Visa Waiver Program Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and South Korea, those wishing to study in the U.S. will continue to need a student visa in order to do so.

APP officer Todd Campbell addresses more than 500 students at Busan International Foreign Language High School.  April 2, 2008

Since his arrival, APP Officer Todd Campbell has engaged in numerous educational outreach programs in both Busan and the Kyungsangdo region.  Through these efforts, hundreds of students now have a better understanding of the student visa process and the advantages of studying in the U.S.

APP Officer Todd Campbell provides information about studying in the USA and the student visa process to prospective students at the “Korea Study Abroad and Language Fair” held at BEXCO.  April 2, 2008

On April 2, 2008, APP Officer Todd A. Campbell and APP staff worked the crowds at the “Korea Study Abroad and Language Fair” held at BEXCO. The many students and parents who visited the APP booth were able to obtain information about studying and life as a student in the USA.

January - March 2008

Bi-Monthly American Citizen Service Held in American Presence Post, Busan  March 25-26, 2008

On March 25-26, Consular officer from US Embassy Seoul came to Busan as part of their regularly scheduled trips to provide services to American citizens here.  Once again the demand for passport renewals, registration of newborn American citizens, and notarials was high.   Long-time members of the U.S. expat community continue to heap praise upon the renewed presence in Busan.

APP Officer Todd A. Campbell Visits The Korea Bio-IT Foundry Busan Center. March 20, 2008

On March 20, 2008 APP Officer Todd A. Campbell visited The Korea Bio-IT Foundry Busan Center. It is one of seventeen bio-tech research and development centers in the region and based out of Pusan National University but receives funding from Busan city and the Korean central govt.  It aims to bridge the gap between the practical real world needs of local industry and pure R&D.  While small in scale it is very entrepreneurial and innovative in nature.

APP Officer Todd A. Campbell Pays a Call to the Lotte Giants Base Ball Team March 20, 2008

On March 20, 2008, APP Officer Todd A. Campbell visited Lotte Giants Baseball Team based in Busan and met its president Mr. Park, General Manager Mr. Lee, and the new American coach for the team, Jerry Royster.  Mr. Royster is the first foreigner to coach one of the eight teams in the Korean baseball league.  His arrival in Busan is truly a historic moment in Korean sports history.

U.S. Embassy’s Political Minister-Counselor Joseph Yun Gives a Talk to the Students of GSIS of Pusan National University March 14, 2008

On March 14, 2008, Political Minister-Counselor Joseph Yun visited Busan and delivered a speech entitled “Dynamics of Managing the Korea-U.S. Alliances” at the Graduate School of International Studies at Pusan National University.

APP Officer David W. Moyer visits U.S. Navy’s Super Carrier Nimitz. February 28, 2008

On February 28, APP officer David W. Moyer visited the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier that was docked in Busan to take part in the regular Korea/U.S. joint military exercises. The ship was built in 1975 and was expected to remain in service until 2033.  The Nimitz is virtually a floating city with over 5,000 people living and working on board, for up to six months at a time.  The Nimitz previously came to Korea in 1988 to help ensure that the Olympic Games were conducted without incident.

APP Officer David W. Moyer pays a visit to Office of International Relations of the Pukyong National University February 28, 2008

On February 28, APP officer David W. Moyer paid a visit to the Office of International Relations at Pukyong National University and met with the director and Professor Kim, Young-chan in preparation for Ambassador’s program at the Pukyong National University.

APP Officer David W. Moyer pays a visit to NIKE’s R&D Center in Busan. February 21, 2008

On February 21, 2008, APP Officer David W. Moyer paid a visit to the Chang Shin Inc., Nike’s R&D center in Busan. This company proposes new materials for the Nike shoes designed by Nike headquarters in Oregon and makes all of the shoe samples for their manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam.

APP Officer David W. Moyer pays a visit to the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center February 19, 2008

On February 19, APP Officer David W. Moyer paid a visit to the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center which was built by the city of Busan in the middle of an island that formed from silt deposits over the past century. In an effort to establish Busan as a stop-over point for migratory birds on their way to Siberia, the city of Busan has worked to transform some farm land on the island back into its natural wetland state. The diversity of fowl has attracted bird watchers from all around the world.  The Nakdong River Estuary Eco Center has become a popular destination for politicians looking to show interest in environmental issues.

APP officer David W. Moyer pays a courtesy call to Mr. Kim Jong-gan, Mayor of Gimhae city. February 12, 2008

On February 12, APP Officer David Moyer paid a courtesy call to Mayor Kim Jong-gan and exchanged talks about the future of Gimhae city. Gimhae city is just a few miles away from Busan and has a rich history and beautiful cultural sites.

Consul General Julia R. Stanley gives a talk on “Student Visas” at the American Presence Post in Busan. January 17, 2008

On January 17, Consul General Julia R. Stanley visited the American Presence Post in Busan and spoke to the “Campus Bonanza” club on the topic “Student Visas and Travel to the U.S.” Many of the students expressed their hope to study in the U.S. for their advanced degrees.

APP Officer David W. Moyer pays a visit to the Design Center Busan (DCB). January 16, 2008

On January 16, 2008, APP Officer David W. Moyer paid a visit to the Design Center Busan (DCB). The Design Center Busan strives to remake the image of the city of Busan while looking for opportunities to work with similar centers in other countries. In addition to the relationships already established with institutions in Japan and China, DCB is also working to form a relationship with the city of Chicago (Busan’s sister city).

New APP Officer David W. Moyer visited Soyang Children’s Home and met Director Chi, Hyeong Shik and 113 children. January. 4, 2008

APP officer David W. Moyer visited Soyang Children’s Home in Gadeok Island, just off the coast of Busan. With the support of 23 staff, Director Chi and his wife care for each of the 113 children as if they were their own. The Home is well known to the USG as it was first visited by Patty Hill (Ambassador Hill’s spouse) during her time in Korea and then First Lady Laura Bush hosted children from the Home at the American Corner where she read stories to them during APEC 2005.

- 2007 - | | October - December 2007

For the first time since 1998, a consular officer provided American Citizen Services in a US Mission facility in Busan.  November 28-29, 2007

Over two days, an ACS officer notarized documents, renewed passports and issued reports of birth abroad for more than 50 AmCits from Busan, Gyeongsang and neighboring areas.  An ACS officer usually visits Busan once every two months.

APP Officer Gave Lectures on Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride to the Students of Two Prominent Universities in Busan. November 20 and November 29, 2007

At Dong-a and Dong-eui Universities, APP Officer Robert W. Ogburn spoke on the relevance of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride to Busan area students living in a modern globalized world.

APP Officer Attended the English Language and Literature Association of Korea’s Annual Conference November 16, 2007

APP Officer Robert W. Ogburn gave congratulatory remarks to the English Language and Literature Association of Korea’s annual conference.  Paper topics of the annual conference ranged from The Crying of Lot 49 to Jamaica Kincaid.

Florida Chef shows off southern U.S. seafood delicacies to Busan Mayor at the BISFE November 15, 2007

Florida Chef Justin Timineri shows off southern U.S. seafood delicacies to Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik at the BISFE. South Korea is the U.S.’s fourth largest fish and seafood market for the U.S., totalling $400 million in U.S. exports last year. Organized by the Embassy’s U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service, a variety of other U.S. exhibitors representing Atlantic Coast seafood producers attended BISFE.

Acting Consul of Busan attended an event welcoming Mexico’s first-ever honorary consul in Busan November 9, 2007

Acting Consul of Busan Robert W. Ogburn attended an event welcoming Mexico’s first-ever honorary consul in Busan, Mr. Park Soon-ho.  Mr. Park is CEO of Sejung Group, a prominent Busan based textile and construction group.  In this photo, Mr. Ogburn is with Mexican Ambassador Leandro Arellano.

Acting Consul of Busan visited TaeguTec and met Warren Buffet October 25, 2007

Acting Consul of Busan Robert W. Ogburn visited TaeguTec and met Warren Buffet, Berkshire-Hathaway CEO and major investor in TaeguTec, as well as the city’s business and political leaders.

U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow inaugurated the new American Presence Post(APP) in Busan October 19, 2007

Ambassador Vershbow and Mayor Hur cut the ribbon for the American Presence Post(APP) in Busan. Announcing a new step forward in transformational diplomacy, U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow inaugurated the new American Presence Post(APP) in Busan on October 19, 2007.  In a (modest) ceremony at the APP’s location near Busan City Hall, Ambassador Vershbow noted that the Consulate marks the first opening in East Asia of an American diplomatic facility under Secretary Rice’s initiative to forge transformational diplomacy in vibrant regional capitals throughout the world. more

Kookje Shinmun interviews DCM William Stanton in Busan October 5, 2007

On October 4th, DCM William Stanton was interviewed by Kookje Shimun, one of the two major newspapers in Busan.  In the article, the DCM said, “The U.S. consular office in Busan will be devoted to public diplomacy. The consular office is the first product of the transformational diplomacy espoused by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice not only in East Asia, but also around the world, which makes it meaningful.”

July - September 2007

PAO Patrick Linehan Visits Busan Kukje High School and Gives Special Lecture September 14, 2007

On September 14, Public Affairs Officer Patrick J. Linehan visited Busan Kukje High School and spoke to approximately 300 students in English on the topic “The Future of US-Korea Relations.” The high school is one of the most prestigious schools in the region and the students engaged actively in the discussion after the speech.

Busan American Corner Hosts Open House for Secondary School English Teachers September 13, 2007

On September 13, the Embassy held an Open House at the Busan American Corner.  Sixty-two English teachers from schools around the area participated in the event.  PAO Patrick J. Linehan gave a talk on “The Importance of Teaching Culture When Teaching a Language” taking examples from his experience learning several foreign languages. RPO Jean Vander Woude gave visual presentation on “American Corner Materials for English Teachers and Students.”

RPO Jean Vander Woude Visits Busan and Ulsan July 26-27, 2007

Regional Program Officer Jean Vander Woude Gives a Lecture to English Teacher Trainees in Busan and Ulsan.

RPO Jean Vander Woude Discusses on American Film at Busan American corner July 26, 2007

Regional Program Officer Jean Vander Woude Discusses American Film, The Natural, with Busan Citizens at Busan American Corner.

RPO Jean Vander Woude Gives a Talk on “Volunteerism in the U.S.” July 26, 2007

Regional Program Officer Jean Vander Woude Gives a Talk on “Volunteerism in the U.S.” at the Institute for Opportunity in Busan.

Fairfax County School Board Members Visit Busan American Corner 2007 July 3

Fairfax County School Board Members Visit Busan American Corner and Read American Stories to Elementary School Students.

April - June 2007

The Embassy hosts a monthly film screening of Crash June 27, 2007

DPAO Robert Ogburn Discusses Award-Winning Movie Crash at Busan American Corner.

Chargé d’Affaires William Stanton on Jeju Island June 15, 2007

Chargé d’Affaires William Stanton Talks about To Kill a Mockingbird at Seogwipo High School in Jeju Island.

Chargé d’Affaires William Stanton on Jeju Island June 14, 2007

Chargé d’Affaires William Stanton meets the divers at Women Divers Village on Jeju Island.

Deputy Chief of Mission William Stanton’s virtual toast May 30, 2007

The Embassy hosts the American wine seminar for local journalists at Busan American Corner with Deputy Chief of Mission William Stanton’s virtual toast.

Workshop of “Interviewing Tips and Strategies for American Company” May 30, 2007

Assistant Regional Program Officer John Choi conducts a workshop, “Interviewing Tips and Strategies for American Company” after the screening of The Pursuit of Happyness (sic) at Busan American Corner.

Presentation on “The Social and Cultural Influence of Gone with the Wind” May 23, 2007

Dr. Darden Pyron, professor at Florida International University, gives a presentation on “The Social and Cultural Influence of Gone with the Wind” and discussed with 12 graduate students in Busan American Corner by DVC.

Speech on “Living Well in a Globalized World” May 22, 2007

Acting Public Affairs Officer Robert Ogburn gives a speech on “Living Well in a Globalized World” to Puil Foreign High School students in Busan.

Embassy Officer Discusses Multiculturalism at Dong-eui University in Busan. May 9, 2007

Dr. Eric Rabkin Shares Role of Science Fiction in American Culture in Busan. May 3, 2007

American Film Screening, Discussion at Busan American Corner. May 2, 2007

January - March 2007

Seoul: American Jazz Ambassadors Take Cultural Diplomacy to Busan 2007-March -29

Adam Klipple & Drive-by Leslie at Kyungsung University in Busan On March 29, the Embassy arranged for Adam Klipple & Drive-by Leslie, an American jazz quartet, to put on a show for 250 Busan citizens.  The Embassy worked with Jazz at the Lincoln Center's Music Abroad Program to co-sponsor this event.  The audience members were comprised of local college students, professors, local media, artists, filmmakers, and business leaders.

First WebChat  In Celebration of Virtual Presence Post Busan February 21, 2007

Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Gerald McLoughlin   On February 21, the U.S. Embassy had  First WebChat  In Celebration of Virtual Presence Post Busan. Theme  U.S.–Korea Relations: In Celebration of Virtual Presence Post Busan Speaker  Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, Gerald McLoughlin Date / Time  February 21, 2007 / 11:00am - 12:30pm. Full-Transcript of WebChat(PDF, Korean Version)

U.S. Embassy Opens Virtual Presence Post Busan February 2, 2007 On January 29 the U.S. Embassy opened the first Virtual Presence Post in Korea.  Devoted to citizens in the Busan and the region, the Virtual Presence Post (VPP) will facilitate communication and understanding between the United States and the people of the area in order to enhance our already strong and important relationship. Through this website, the U.S. Embassy will combine and strengthen existing outreach efforts in and around Busan with a new diplomacy rooted in communication technology.  Citizens of Busan and the region will find a wealth of useful information on U.S. visa applications, American business partnerships, educational institutions and opportunities in the U.S., U.S.-Korea relations, and U.S. programs and activities of special interest.  In addition, Americans interested in Busan will find useful links to host government sources of information, business and commercial information, and U.S. citizen services.  The VPP will help focus and organize U.S. engagement outside our physical Mission buildings, reinforcing our regional presence in Korea.  Please contact the Information Resource Center at the U.S. Embassy at (02) 397-4614 or 4662, or via email at ircseoul@state.gov with questions about the website.

Jakarta IRO Pamela Dragovich Lectures on CRS and U.S. Legislative System at Busan American Corner Jakarta IRO Pamela Dragovich with Busan Citizens at Busan American Corner February 1, 2007     Jakarta IRO Pamela Dragovich Lectures on CRS and U.S. Legislative System   On February 1, The Embassy arranged a workshop themed “U.S. Library of Congress: Congressional Research Service (CRS) and Legislative Information” at Busan American Corner.  Approximately 20 Busan Metropolitan Council special advisors, professors of political science and law science, leading librarians, and graduate students attended this program.  Jakarta IRO Pamela Dragovich presented on “Mission, History, Organization, Products and Services of CRS and Library of Congress.”

Mr. David I. Steinberg Engages Scholars, Students in Busan Mr. David Steinberg Speaks to the 21st Century Political Science Association January 31, 2007     Mr. David Steinberg Speaks to the 21st Century Political Science Association   On January 31, The Embassy arranged for Mr. David I. Steinberg, Director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University, to participate in three programs in Busan. Starting with an interview with Kookje Shinmun, he joined a lunch program with members of the 21st Century Political Science Association, followed by a seminar on the “U.S. - Korea Alliance” organized jointly by the U.S. Embassy and the Association.

Lights! Camera! Cultural Diplomacy! Embassy Debuts American Film Festival at Busan American Corner January 24, 2007 Embassy Hosts First American Film Festival, Busan American Corner The Embassy launched the first in a series of monthly American film festivals that took  place at each of the three American Corners.  The first event took place at the Busan American Corner on January 24.  With the theme “We’re the Kids in America: A Cinematic Survey of American Youth,” the Embassy’s Regional Program Office screened three different films for three distinct audiences.   About 25 teachers, students, and school administrators attended this hands-on workshop.