Emergency Evacuation

Communications

During emergencies, the U.S. Embassy and Armed Forces Network-Korea (AFN-K) radio and television will be the best sources of information.  The U.S. Embassy will try to keep all Americans apprised of any deteriorating situation through its "warden" email system, this website, local media, AFN-K, and other means of disseminating information.

However, during a significant crisis or emergency, you may have limited or no access to email or the internet.  In such a situation, AFN-K will become the Embassy's primary source of contact with U.S. citizens throughout the country. You should have a portable radio and make it part of your personal evacuation kit.  Keep it with you during an emergency and keep extra batteries on hand. 

Do not call U.S. military authorities.  AFN-K will provide the most authoritative, up-to-date information available from Embassy and military sources.

Click here for a list of AFN-K's radio and television frequencies throughout the country.

Special Concerns

Children in School
Most schools for foreign students will suspend classes in times of growing crisis; however, there is a slight possibility that evacuation might be ordered while children are in school. Each school has its own procedures, and parents should be aware of what arrangements have been made for emergencies by knowing their school's plans.

Personal Vehicles
During a significant crisis or an evacuation itself, your use of your personal vehicle may be limited.  Do not expect to be able to drive your family in your vehicle on the highways during a crisis.  Highway access will be strictly controlled by Korean government and military authorities and traffic may be at a standstill.

In addition, you may not be allowed to drive onto a U.S. military base or even into an Evacuation Control Center, since space may be limited.  At some point you may be required to abandon your car.  You may wish to consider alternate means of travel to an ECC.

Locating Evacuees
Both USFK and the Embassy will keep track of the names and locations of evacuees as carefully as possible under the circumstances. The names of evacuees will be forwarded regularly to the State Department Operations Center.

While we will do our best to assist in-country evacuees to find each other, most inquiries from outside Korea will be referred to the State Department Operations Center, which will have the most comprehensive data.  Once you leave your home to report to an assembly point, your friends and relatives in the United States and Canada can call the Overseas Citizens Services Call Center at the toll-free number 1-888-407-4747 to check on your status.  Friends and relatives outside the United States and Canada can contact the Call Center on 317-472-2328.  They should not attempt to call the Embassy in Korea.

Calling Home
One of the most important things you can do when you reach a safehaven point outside of Korea is to call home as soon as possible to let your family and friends know you are safe.

 

For American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries, please e-mail us at: seoul_acs@state.gov.

ACS may also be contacted by telephone at 02-397-4114 or by fax at 02-397-4101.

This is an official U.S. Government source for information on the internet. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

The U.S. Embassy is closed on both U.S. and Korean holidays.

Updated November 27, 2007