North Korea: No Imminent Threats
Seoul, South Korea (April 13, 2013) - I have spent the last few days in Seoul and Jeju Island, in preparation for the World Club Championship, and understand that several players and Patrons have voiced concern over the situation in North Korea.
Yesterday, I met with representatives from the United States and British Embassies to seek guidance as to the threat level on the Korean Peninsula. Both Embassies were emphatic that there are "no imminent threats to citizens or facilities in The Republic of Korea, and that they have not changed their security posture, and have not recommended to citizens who reside in, or plan to visit Korea to take any special security precautions".
The US Embassy referred me to http://travel.state.gov/ to receive daily updates. They also provided a phone number in the United States ( 1 ) 202 501 4444 should any person wish to speak to a government representative.
With this reassurance from two prominent Embassies in Seoul, we plan to stage the Championship as planned, May 19 - 24, 2013. The Committee will monitor the situation and should anything change, we will act accordingly.
On a more personal note, having visited Korea more than one hundred times over the last 12 years, I have many foreign friends who reside in Korea with their families. At a charity dinner last Friday, to a person, they all supported our stance to proceed with the Championship.
With best wishes,
David V Smith
Championship Founder and Director
Additional Links regarding travel to South Korea:
A Security Message for U.S. Citizens (US Embassy)
Foreign Travel Advice: South Korea (GOV.UK)
Travel Advice: South Korea (Australian Government)
