DAEGU GARRISON — There are many U.S. personnel who find living in South Korea both exciting and challenging. For many, their experiences in the Land of the Morning Calm are limited only by the extent of their dreams and imagination. However, for some U.S. Soldiers and family members what started out as a dream assignment, can quickly become a nightmare--especially if legal documents required while traveling or living abroad, are not in order.
Thankfully, for members of the USAG Daegu and Area IV community, such worries do not have to exist because of the guidance and support available at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA), HQ, 19th ESC, on Camp Henry. For visas and any questions you might have, the Camp Henry legal office stands ready to assist authorized U.S. personnel in matters that newcomers to Korea, as well as those who've visited before, might find a tad overwhelming.
For individuals serving in Area IV, a visit to the legal office can make all the difference. That's because at the legal office on Camp Henry people like Ms. Yong-Hui So, an experienced specialist on matters pertaining to U.S. visas, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) issues, and claims processing, is ready to help. Speaking from her personal experience she said, "When I traveled to the U.S. for the first time, it was a war to me. Taking care of everything that comes up every day -- every week was so tough. Therefore, as a survivor of that experience, it is not hard to imagine when newcomers arrive in country, how they struggle and stumble. I feel I have a responsibility to explain to them step by step because I know that in dealing with matters involving visas it's something they may not be familiar with."
Ms. So, doesn't just talk, she is very serious about her job and responsibilities, and that is clear by the patience and professionalism she exhibits as she tries to put customer's at ease. One way she does this is through the bi-monthly newcomer's briefings hosted by the Garrison, and fully supported by the legal office. During these briefings Ms. So provides newcomers and family members with a checklist to help guide them in preparing those documents required by families who are in need of a SOFA stamp. This checklist is also provided at the legal office.
As a liaison between the Area IV community, and the Korea Immigration Service (KIS), each week Ms. So reviews, and then submits all the documents collected from SOFA stamp applicants--rather than have them deal directly with KIS. "Of course, if the applicant chooses to contact KIS himself, I will gladly review their documents beforehand. However, they can allow me to do this for them, and that will be one less thing for them to worry about," she said.
Understanding that the right information is vital to the processing of visas, and an A3-Visa (SOFA stamp), Ms. So explained that the KIS doesn’t require military personnel to get a visa or passport because of Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). She stressed however, that "In the case of dependents, and U.S. civilian employees, it’s another story. They need to get an A-3 Visa, stamp. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. If you have any questions, visit the Camp Henry legal Office regarding this process.
While there is a lot to absorb regarding the visa process, Ms. So said that the legal office can be very helpful, and encourages anyone with questions to not hesitate to contact her office. "Every case will vary, and the necessary documents will be determined case by case. Should anyone have any questions or concerns, we encourage them to contact the legal office as soon as possible...before they encounter any serious problems. Please don’t hesitate contacting our office. We look forward to hearing from you, and will assist you as best we can."
The Legal Office is located on Camp Henry in Bldg.1805 adjacent to the Gate 1 entrance. Call DSN: 768-6631 or 763-4424 for assistance.
