Revisit Korea Program 2020

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January 2020

Revisit Korea Program 2020

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Revisit Korea Program 2020

I. Objectives

i. To express gratitude and respect to UN veterans of the Korean War and families for protecting sovereignty, freedom and democracy of Korea ii. To demonstrate that the UN veterans’ sacrifice and contribution were

not in vain and show the remarkable development of Korea

iii. To enhance Korea’s image as the country which never forgets the veterans’ help 70 years ago

II. Program Overview

i. Title: UN Korean War Veterans Revisit Korea Program

ii. Number of Participants: 650 UN Korean War veterans and family members (equivalent to last year)

iii. Provided Support: partial reimbursement of round-trip flight tickets (50%

for veterans and 30% for caregivers) and free-of charge accommodation, meals, in-land transportation and other expenses in Korea

iv. No. of Visits: 5 times in 2020, 5 nights and 6 days each v. Note:

- Although a priority is given to veterans who have not participated in the Revisit Korea Program in the past, veterans will have greater opportunities of participating with the removal of the 3- year rule.

w Participant eligibility: 3 years must pass since their last participation in the Revisit Korea Program -> 3-year rule is removed (due to the aging of the veterans)

- Expansion of programs inviting UN Korean War veterans, descendants, bereaved family members of the US Korean War veterans unaccounted for, renowned figures (e.g government officials of UN sending states), etc on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War

- A veteran should be accompanied by a caregiver who is either the veteran’s family, relative or close friend who will take care of the veteran in Korea and handle an emergency should it arise during the program.

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III. 2020 Program Schedule

* The quotas include Korean War veterans, caregivers and coordinators.

Country

Number of troops deployed

Mar.30 - Apr.4 (Apr.3)

Jun.22 -Jun.27 (Jun.26)

Jul.26 -Jul.31 (Jul.30)

Sep.21 -Sep.26 (Sep.25

Nov.9 -Nov.14

(Nov.11) Total

United States 1,789,000 60 40 50 30 180

United Kingdom 56,000 20 8 10 10 48

Canada 26,791 20 8 10 18 56

Turkey 21,212 8 8 10 26

Australia 17,164 18 8 8 12 46

The Philippines 7,420 10 10 10 30

Thailand 6,326 8 6 4 18

The Netherlands 5,322 6 8 10 24

Colombia 5,100 8 8 8 24

Greece 4,992 4 4 4 12

New Zealand 3,794 10 4 4 4 22

Ethiopia 3,518 8 8 8 24

Belgium 3,498 2 4 4 10

France 3,421 4 4 8 16

South Africa 826 4 4 6 14

Luxemburg 100 2 2 4 8

India 627 6 4 4 14

Norway 623 2 2 2 6

Denmark 630 2 2 2 6

Sweden 1,124 2 2 2 6

Italy 128 2 2 2 6

Switzerland (NNSC) 4 4 4 12

German Red Cross 4 4 4 12

Veterans of Korean Origin 20 20

Reserve 10

Total 1,957,616 68 194 158 50 170 650

Apr.20 -Apr.25

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1. Eligibility Requirements

① Any veteran who served in the Korean War and immediate post-armistice period by sea, land, or air during the period from June 25, 1950 through October 25, 1954

Note:

i. A priority is given to veterans who have not visited Korea before through the Revisit Korea Program. In case it is difficult to secure an appropriate number of participants, veterans who have already participated in the program in the past are also eligible.

ii. Consultation with the MPVA is required when bereaved members of veterans apply for the Revisit Korea Program.

iii. All participants must be in good health and capable of making a long-distance trip by air; the participants should consult with a doctor to confirm their health status.

② One accompanying person (referred to as Caregiver) who can provide care for the veteran or the bereaved family member, as explained in Criterion ①.

Note:

i. A participant who meets Criterion ① may be accompanied by one caregiver should the caregiver agree to be responsible for the participant’s health and safety and assist the participant throughout the entire revisit program period.

ii. The MPVA recommends one caregiver for each veteran.

2. Provided Support

i. Partial Reimbursement of Flight Tickets

- 50% reimbursement for a veteran or a participant as described in Criterion ① and 30% reimbursement for a caregiver of each veteran (economy class -- domestic & international -- from their point of departure to Incheon International Airport)

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- Flight tickets issued and distributed to veterans by KWVAs and travel agencies in each nation

ii. Accommodation and In-country Transportation

- Hotel (five-star): a twin-bed room for two persons and hotel meals - In-country transportation: generally 45-passenger buses are

provided for the program, and if necessary, trains (preferably KTX bullet-trains to Busan, for example)

- Meals: provided for the whole duration of the program

- Tour: visits to tourist destinations or cultural experiences depending on the schedule (subject to change)

- Shopping: shopping opportunities depending on the schedule

* Personal activity expenses, shopping, alcohol beverages or personal extended stay are not covered.

3. Roles of Organizations

The MPVA, Korean Embassies, and Foreign Embassies in Seoul and Travel Agents coordinate to make the Revisit happen:

i. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA): plan, coordinate, and assist other organizations and agencies

ii. The Korean Embassies to the UN Sending States: support their KWVA in locating and selecting participants

* Korean War UN Allied Nations (UN Allied Nations): UN member countries that provided military or medical aid to the Republic of Korea during the Korean War

iii. UN Sending States’ Embassies to Seoul, Korea (Defense Attachés):

coordinate the program itinerary and provide support for their nation’s veterans and families

iv. Korean War Veteran Associations (KWVAs) in the UN Allied Nations:

promote this program, receive applications and select participants

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v. Contracted Travel Agency in Korea: prepare and implement detailed program including making flight and hotel reservations in Korea and providing local travel, tour guides, etc.

4. Program Organization i. Commemorations

- Attending major government-organized commemorative ceremonies and ceremonies in honor of major battles

w April: Battle of Gapyeong Ceremony

w June: Korean War Commemorative Ceremony

w July: UN Forces Participation Day Commemorative Ceremony w September: Honor and Tribute Ceremony for the Fallen Korean

War Heroes

w November: Turn Toward Busan International Memorial Ceremony

ii. Thank You Banquet

- Attended by government officials, ambassadors of UN sending states to Korea, KWVA Korea board members, cadets, etc

- Consists of welcome remarks, presentation of Ambassador for Peace Medals, performances, etc

iii. Visits to Major Sites

- Panmunjeom, national cemeteries, War Memorial of Korea, UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, etc

iv. Cultural Tours

- Visits to Korean Folk Village, palaces, National Museum of Korea, - Tasting Korean food and wearing Hanbok (Korean traditional

dress)

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5. Safety Measures * Safety Manual to ensure participants’ health

i. Before arrival

- Check demands for wheelchairs

- Make sure participants indicate medical alert information in advance

ii. Medical Expenses and Emergent Situations

- All participants should buy travel insurance (travel agency) - Submit non-liability agreement from participants

iii. Safety Staff and Education

- Safety staff will be hired and trained before the program - Safety staff uniform to ensure responsible care

- Enough wheelchairs

iv. Medical Emergency Response System

- List of local hospitals near the visit sites

IV. Detailed Application/Selection Procedures

i. Korean War Veterans Association in Sending States

① Inform those interested in of the program

- Inform those interested in of the program and provide information on the program schedule and support provided by the MPVA including the partial reimbursement and accommodation

- Collect rosters (applications), written consents and related documents and submit them to the MPVA

w KWVA should collect written consents from participants in which they agree not to hold the MPVA responsible for any death loss, injury or damage, lost/damaged baggage, trip cancellation, bad weather, natural disaster or other acts of God

w KWVA should also collect participants’ travel insurance and submit to the MPVA

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w KWVA should confirm veterans’ service of the Korean War with official service document, such as US DD214

- Submit Release and Waiver of Responsibility Agreement - Pay airfare to the MPVA

- Payment must be made to the local travel agency in each nation at least 10 days prior to departure.

② Confirmation of Quotas

- Recruit participants within the quota allocated by the MPVA

- Send applications and related documents to the MPVA through the Korean Embassy to each UN Allied Nation one month before the start of the program

* Travel agencies arrange documents necessary for ticketing and departure and fill out the Roster.

③ Public Relations Activities

- Assist the MPVA in public relations, including collecting information about the veterans, including interesting anecdotes, letters, books, or images showing their experiences during the war, which can be delivered to the MPVA when the veterans arrive in Korea.

- Discover such anecdotes and personal items and share them with the MPVA.

ii. Korean Embassies to UN Allied Nations

- Support the KWVAs in selecting participants and with public relations activities.

- Serve as each country’s official liaison with the MPVA.

iii. Embassies of Sending States to Korea

- Help find veterans who have special war stories, experience, high honors

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- Ambassadors are cordially invited to attend the official thank-you banquets hosted by the MPVA

- Coordinate detailed programs for the veterans - Maintain official channels of communications

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[Attachment 1]

THE MINISTRY OF PATRIOTS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT

We, the undersigned, by accepting the invitation of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) of the Republic of Korea to participate in the 2020 Revisit Korea Program, agree to the following terms and conditions:

The MPVA shall not become liable or responsible in any way in connection with any means of transportation or other services, or for any loss, injury or damage to, or in respect of, any person or property howsoever arising, nor be responsible for damages arising from the default of a tour operator/carrier, lost/damaged baggage, trip cancellation, bad weather, natural disaster or other acts of God.

Veteran (or Bereaved Family Member)

Name _________________________ Signature _______________ Date ________________

Companion

Name _________________________ Signature _______________ Date ________________

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[Attachment 2]

Veteran Roster

Attending Month

Full Name :Mr/Mrs/Ms (please circle) Date of Birth

Address

Email Phone Number

Passport

(Please attach a copy) Number Expiration Date

Contact Information

Name Relationship

Email Phone Number

Language Ability e.g) English, French

Korean War Service Period

(yymmdd-yymmdd)

Branch / Unit

Service Number Rank Major

Battle

Have you been awarded Ambassador for Peace Medal by the MPVA? Yes No Your Health Status:

Have you consulted with a doctor who confirmed that you are healthy enough to travel overseas?

(Please circle) Yes No

Medical Insurance Information (please attach a copy) * Travel insurance is mandatory.

Insurance Company or Policy Name:

Contact Information:

Policy Number:

Information on Blood Type and Dietary or Physical Restrictions:

Medication Allergies:

Food Allergies:

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Roster

(□ (Bereaved) Family Member / □ Companion)

Attending Month

Full Name :Mr / Mrs / Ms (please circle) Relationship to the Veteran Date of Birth

Address

Email Phone Number

Passport Number Expiration Date

Contact Information

Name

Relationship to the Veteran

Email Phone Number

Language Ability e.g) English, French

Veteran’s Name Veteran’s DOB

Veteran’s Status (□ MIA / □ KIA / □ Deceased)

Veteran’s Korean War Service Period (yymmdd-yymmdd)

Branch / Unit

Service Number Rank Major

Battle

Has your family been awarded Ambassador for Peace Medal by the MPVA? Yes No Your Health Status:

Have you consulted with a doctor who confirmed that you are healthy enough to travel overseas?

(Please circle) Yes No

Medical Insurance Information (please attach a copy) * Travel insurance is mandatory.

Insurance Company or Policy Name:

Contact Information:

Policy Number:

Information on Blood Type and Dietary or Physical Restrictions:

Medication Allergies:

Food Allergies:

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[Attachment 3]

Medical History Form

(□ Veteran / □ (Bereaved) Family Member / □ Companion)

Name: ___________________________________ Date of Birth: _________________________

Emergency Contact:_________________________ Phone & Email___________________

Medication Allergies: _____________________________ Food Allergies:____________________

I use a cane or a walker (please circle). Wheelchair needed? Yes_____ No_____

I can walk less than 5 mins / less than 10 mins / longer than 15 mins (please circle).

Blood Type: ________

Major Illnesses: __________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS: Please bring your medications in their original bottles and pack in your CARRY ON luggage.

Medication__________________ Dosage________________ Reason___________________

Respiratory Problems: Yes_____ No_____ Need or use oxygen: Yes_____ No_____

List any other medications and/or other major health concerns: ____________________________

________________________________________________(continue on another sheet if necessary)

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[Attachment 4]

Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information

* Please read the following and sign your initials in the boxes provided if you agree.

1. Collection and Use of Confidential Information

[Collection of Personal Information]

For the purpose of managing veterans who participate in the Revisit Korea Program, the MPVA collects personal information as follows: name, date of birth, address, contact details, passport number, military unit and rank, photo and health condition

[Use of Personal Information]

The MPVA uses the information you provide for:

○ Program Operaons and Management

- Revisit Korea Program schedule coordination and veterans' health conditions checks - other programs carried out to honor veterans' sacrifices and dedication

○ Registraon and Management of Veterans

[Retention Period of Personal Information]

○ All documents containing personal informaon are destroyed as soon as it is reasonable to assume that the purpose for which personal information was collected is no longer being served by retention of the personal information, except such personal information as follows:

- name, date of birth and address - retention period: permanent

- purpose: to eliminate veterans who have already participated in a Revisit Korea Program from the list of invitees for the next program

[Right to Refuse to Consent]

If you do not want to provide your personal information, the MPVA will not collect it.

However, if you do not agree to this agreement, you cannot join the program.

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2. Consent to Processing of Sensitive Personal Information

The MPVA processes sensitive personal data (health conditions including diseases and mediation) for the purpose as follows:

- to check veterans' health

All confidential information you provide is used for only purposes for which it was collected, and will not be used for other purposes without your prior consent.

3. Consent to Processing of Personal Identifying Information

The MPVA collects personal identifying information (passport number) for the purpose of using it for Revisit Korea Program-related services as follows:

- flight ticket reservation - hotel reservation

4. Consent to Sharing Personal Information with Third Parties

The MPVA shares personal information you provide with the contracted travel agency and hotel assisting the Revisit Korea Program team in managing veterans during their visit.

1. Third parties: travel agency and hotel

2. Shared information: names, passport numbers, contact information 3. Purpose: management of visiting veterans

4. Retention period of shared personal information: only during the visit of veterans (after the program, all documents containing personal information will be destroyed)

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[Attachment 5]

Veteran’s (or Family Member’s) Comments

Please share your valuable comments on the below questions about your (or your family’s) service during the Korean War.

What was/were your (or your family’s) major battle/battles during the Korean War?

Do you have any special story related to your (or your family’s) participation in the Korean War?

* Please be specific.

How do you feel about visiting Korea once again (or for the first time after the war, or for the first time ever)?

* Please be specific.

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