By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
U.S. citizens living in Korea will celebrate the historical inauguration of the 44th American President Barak Obama at a hotel in Seoul on Tuesday.
The ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, 2 a.m. Wednesday local time. Obama's inauguration is going to be historic since he is the first African-American to be elected the president of the United States.
Democrats Abroad Republic of Korea, the official branch of the Democratic Party here, plans to start the gathering in the Oak Room at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, central Seoul, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
``We are looking forward to all the possibilities he can bring,'' Kirstie Bromenshenk, 36, the head of Democrats Abroad ROK, told The Korea Times.
She expressed optimism on Obama's presidency, saying the new president will heal America's reputation in a positive way.
Bromenshenk, who has chaired the organization since last June, said she has been receiving a lot of e-mails regarding the celebration and expected a number of people to appear, though fell short of providing estimated numbers.
After a dinner, those attending will continue to celebrate and socialize, moving to the Wolfhound Irish Pub and Restaurant in Itaewon, the popular foreign district in Seoul, in Yongsan District, to watch video clips of Obama. ``We will watch the ceremony during the party,'' she said.
Though organized by Democrats Abroad ROK, this celebration is open to Obama revelers of all nationalities.
``We believe that Obama is more in touch with global issues in making the United States a more open country,'' said Barrington Edwards, 37, an American living in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and a member of Democrats Abroad ROK. ``We think he will have better relationships with other countries.''