On VIP security service
.jpg?w=728)
By Kim Ji-myung
In the still-dark hour of 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 1993, I arrived at the Seattle ferry dock. The boat that would take the 15 heads of state and their entourage to Blake Island was going to leave at 8 a.m.
The three and a half hours before departure were for security checks and preparations for the first face-to-face group conference of so many national leaders.
As the chief simultaneous interpreter for the president of Korea, I observed the opening of a new era as the heads of “economies” ― either states or territories ― gathered at the first APEC (Asia and the Pacific Economic Council) Leaders’ Meeting. Initiated by U.S. President Bill Clinton, the meeting was aimed at enhancing economic cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.
In addition to the support group from the hosting U.S. State Department and the press corps, there was a limit of five staff members for each participating member economy ― a medical doctor, foreign affairs advisor, economic affairs advisor and two simultaneous interpreters.
It was the most impressive arrangement, with the strictest security checkup process. Everyone, without exception, had to lay everything down on one side of the dock so two German shepherds could sniff each item. But once the boat drifted out into the bay and debarked onto small Blake Island, I realized there was not enough space for the normal security services for the VIPs.
In this case, of course, “VIP” means the most important person rather than an ordinary “very important person” at some event, a priority subject in need of protection from a range of possible mishaps, including accidents or attacks.
There was just one building for the visitors, with a lounge and a restaurant. A large aero tent was set up for coffee and lunch breaks for the press and support staff.
But nothing could be done about the restrooms. Presidents, prime ministers, reporters, interpreters and everyone else shared the narrow alleyway leading to the two compartments for “ladies” and “gentlemen.” We all laughed or smiled, rubbing each other’s shoulders as we queued to enter. It was a totally unexpected, but very cordial experience. I learned that there is a critical space required if you want to take security measures for an individual.
An interesting experience happened during the first ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) held in 1996 in Bangkok. The meeting place was a Thai-style open pavilion built inside a gigantic modern structure. Even the artificial garden surrounding the traditional building was perfect, with cover plants and blooming flowers.
Upon arrival, the chief security officer in charge notified the 14 interpreters of seven languages that they could not leave the hall before the meeting ended, no matter what.
Someone asked: “What if we urgently need to go to the toilet?” The answer was “Sorry, no.” One of the interpreters whispered: “Don’t worry. The garden is good enough for an emergency toilet.”
As we all know, this sort of coercion can cause problems. I have a strong bladder in any normal situation, but somehow I had to go to the restroom in the middle of the meeting. There was no one to stop me.
Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak hosted a dinner at the garden of Gyunghuigung Palace on June 23, 2005, for some 2,000 foreign and local participants of the International Conference of Women’s Studies. Scholars and female leaders from many countries participated.
There was a dubious self-claimed professor from an “agricultural college” in a Southeastern Asian country. No one knew why he was attending the women’s studies conference. At dinner, I noticed he was always hanging around Mayor Lee. He asked the official photographer to snap himself with the mayor. I asked the mayor’s secretary to call the security team, but to my surprise he didn’t seem to care. They totally lacked any sense of urgency.
Here are my observations.
One: The professional wariness and sharp tension of security people usually eases off once the very initial inspection phase has passed. Once you are admitted to a venue, the security guards pay you no attention. Instead, they try to find potential enemies from somewhere else, who might sneak in from the outside.
Two: A newly launched security team for a VIP will revise the inspection system. For example, an X-ray scanning system similar to that done at international airports, was once installed at the small visitor security check center of Cheong Wa Dae, only to be removed in six months. (I don’t know if such machine is back there again.)
Three: At meetings with food and entertainment programs, the security check is largely relaxed. Especially, those breakfast or dinner meetings among members usually have almost no entrance barriers.
Traditional Korean etiquette requires a decent host not to turn down a request of a visitor or a guest for food or shelter.
I am sure the organizers of the recent breakfast meeting where U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert attended made no specific mistake. They were just behaving in the usual manner.
The writer is the chairwoman of the Korea Heritage Education Institute (K*Heritage). She can be reached at heritagekorea21@gmail.com.