US Ambassador Celebrates Election
By Tom Coyner
Contributing Writer
About 200 guests were invited to a special morning brunch to take in the historic U.S. presidential and congressional elections at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in central Seoul Wednesday.
``Today, with our national elections, we Americans celebrate the twin traditions of change and continuity through democracy ― twin traditions with which our fellow democratic Korean friends share,'' said US Ambassador to Korea Kathleen Stephens in her bilingual remarks to guests.
In the tradition of American embassies around the world, the U.S. mission to Korea hosted a special morning brunch to take in the historic U.S. presidential and Congressional elections.
The event was filled with both excitement and high technology. Not only were there large screen televisions showing CNN live coverage and large monitors allowing for guests to check out their favorite Web sites, but Ambassador Stephens was interviewed via Internet by journalists from outside of Korea. While the interactive video broadcasts seemed to work well, people outside of the room were not privileged to take in the Ambassador's remarkable red, white & blue patriotic shoes.
The U.S. Embassy placed several colorful and informative posters around the Ambassador's Residence detailing the personal backgrounds of Senators Obama and McCain, as well as explaining the American electoral process. U.S. State Department staff members were on hand to make guests feel at home while answering questions about the day's historic election.
Guests included the American Chamber of Commerce's Chairman William Oberlin and President Tami Overby, KEB Chairman Richard Wacker and other leaders.
The diplomatic community was well represented, including Ambassadors Skan Rajan Tayal of India, Jane Coombs of New Zealand, Lars Vargo of Sweden, Didrik Tonseth of Norway, Chua Thai Keong of Singapore and Isvan Torzo of Hungary. Several representatives from other nations' delegations were also in attendance. The presence of internationally respected six-party talks commentators, such as B.F. Myers and Andrei Lankov, made for spirited discussions, including speculation on how North Korea may view the election of President Barak Obama.
There was much discussion of what an Obama presidency may mean for Korea and the six-party talks. Many guests felt the day's election could move the Korean peace process forward without returning to the continuity of diplomatic efforts.
There was also much talk about the possibility of both countries ratifying the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. Many guests opined the time between today's election and January's presidential inauguration may be the FTA's best opportunity for passage by both countries. At the same time, many Americans suggested that Korea would have to first agree to further open its markets to U.S. automobile imports if the FTA is to pass Congress.