Speech #1040148208

I rise today to ask all of my colleagues to support my efforts to further enhance and solidify our commitment to one of the United States most valuable alliesSouth Korea. Today I have Introduced legislation which will have a positive economic impact in the United States--especially in the tourism Industry. My legislation calls upon the inclusion of South Korea in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program [VWPP]. Specifically. it waives the requirements of section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. allowing South Korea to be Included in the VWPP for a 1year trial basis after which the Secretary of State and Attorney General will have the authority to determine the continued participation of South Korea in this program. My reasons for Introducing this legislation are twofold: First. the current situation at the U.S. Embassys Consular Affairs office in Seoul is embarrassing and unacceptable. This problem stems from two counteracting forcesthe lack of sufficient space and personnel in the Consulars Office and the ever increasing number of South Koreans request of nonimmigrant. visitor visas. Currently. the Consulars Affairs office In Seoul Is understaffed. overworked and unable to meet the demands of reviewing over 2.000 visa applications per day. This unfortunate situation has resulted in extremely long lines of potential tourists and businessmen to the United States who are growing more and more impatient. annoyed and disheartened with the way they are being treated. While these long lines may not be something new for consular affairs offices throughout the world. the inhumane treatment of the people In those lines is. During a recent trip to South Korea. I personally witnessed the most shameful treatment of human beings. One potential tourist. in search of a visa as part of his honeymoon plans. told me that he had been waiting in line for 3 days. Three days. He had come all the way from the southern end of South Korea. since the United States does not have any other consular affairs offices In Korea.