Republicans Abroad Korea

Next Regular RAK Meeting: September 28

Republicans Abroad will have its next regular meeting at 2:00 on Sunday, September 28 It will be in the lobby coffee shop at the Millennium Seoul Hilton near Seoul Station.  The hotel is a 10-minute walk up the hill from Seoul Station.  It is a 10-minute taxi ride from Itaewon or City Hall (depending on traffic).

We will talk about our ongoing voter registration acitivities and issues related to the November 4 election.

Here is a (not very good) map:

Click on the image for a larger map. 

You can also find Hilton on this map and print it.  Here are some instructions for the my fellow computer semi-literates: 

• It is centered on City Hall. 
• Right click twice on the map (reduce).  You will see Seoul Station on the bottom of the map, near the center. 
• Center the map on Seoul Station.  After you have centered Seoul Station, you will also see the Hilton.
• Left click twice on the map (enlarge) and re-center the map
• Now it is ready for printing.

See you there.

RAK Thanksgiving Dinner

Republicans Abroad-Korea had its third annual Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, November 17th.

About 35 people were on hand this year (a slight increase from about 30 last year and roughly 25 in 2005).   We all had a good time and enjoyed a real American feast together, despite being half-a-world away from our homeland.

Our guest speaker this year was Lee Dong-bok, a professor, fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former National Assemblyman.  He gave an interested message on US-Korean relations and the aftermath of the resent summit between Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun.

Thanks go to Bob Gilbert for procuring the food, George Geddes for organizing the dinner and RAK Chairman John Lee for getting our guest speaker.  Special thanks go to Michael Maddox and his staff at the USO canteen for their assistance in making this year's dinner a success.

We conducted a straw poll at the end of the dinner.  Added by a contingent from the Seoul Ron Paul meetup group, the Texas Congressman won handily.  The results:

• Ron Paul - 13
• Rudy Giuliani - 6
• John McCain - 4
• Mike Huckabee - 1
• Mitt Romney - 1
• Fred Thompson - 0
• other - 1

McCain also got one vote from one of our non-American guests.  Asside from our normal Korean guests, this year's dinner also had guests from Canada, Mongolia and New Zealand.

Pictures:

  Kurt Mohay (white shirt) enjoys dinner.

  Republicans Abroad-Korea Chairman John Lee with guest speaker Lee Dong-bok.

  Guest speaker Lee Dong-bok.  Adelia Jackson is sleeping in her stroller on left side of the picture.

Annual Republicans Abroad Thanksgiving Dinner - November 17

Republicans Abroad-Korea will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, November 17 from 5:00 to 7:30. 

It will be at the USO building next to Yongan Garrison (near Itaewon).

We plan to serve two turkey dinners and one ham dinner, along with sides and deserts (mostly pies).  You may also bring something to share with other guests.  The charge is $20 per person (children free).

For questions or to RSVP, email Andy Jackson at andyinrok@lycos.com.

Here are diections (via  Seoul USO homepage:

By Metro:  We are located at the Samgakji Metro Station (blue or brown line).  Go out Exit 10 and walk north one block (towards Seoul Station).

By Car from Itaewon:  Pass Noksapyeong Metro Station towards the War Memorial and Samgakji Metro Station.  After passing the War Memorial and at Samgakji intersection, curve right (in the direction of Seoul Station).  The USO is located about two blocks from this intersection on the left hand side of the street.  Proceed to the stoplight immediately past USO and U-turn to arrive at the USO.

From Yongsan Base:  USO is located across the street from and one block north of Gate 1.

See you there.

RAK meeting on Sunday, September 9

Republicans Abroad will have its next meeting on Sunday, September 9 at 2:00.  It will be in the lobby coffee shop at the Millennium Seoul Hilton near Seoul Station.  The hotel is a 10-minute walk up the hill from Seoul Station.  It is a 10-minute taxi ride from Itaewon or City Hall (depending on traffic). 

Here is a (not very good) map:

Click on the image for a larger map. 

You can also find Hilton on this map and print it.  Here are some instructions for the my fellow computer semi-literates: 

• It is centered on City Hall. 
• Right click twice on the map (reduce).  You will see Seoul Station on the bottom of the map, near the center. 
• Center the map on Seoul Station.  After you have centered Seoul Station, you will also see the Hilton.
• Left click twice on the map (enlarge) and re-center the map
• Now it is ready for printing.

See you there.

RAK leadership change

As of Sunday, April 22 I (Andy Jackson) am no longer Executive Director of Republicans Abroad-Korea.  I stepped down during last Sunday's regular meeting.

I plan to do some writing on the Korean presidential election and I do not want to give the appearance that RAK is doing anything to try to influence Korean politics.  We are strictly an American service organization.

I will still be a member of RAK and will maintain this blog until someone can create a better online presence.

A replacement executive director as not yet been named.

RAK helps voters at Fall Festival

Republicans Abroad did its last work for the 2006 election last weekend when it held a voter assistance table during Yongsan Garrison's Fall Festival.  We would like to thank the folks at VFW Post 8180 for letting us use one of their tables for a nonpartisan voter assistance drive.  We normally work with the Democrats on on-post events but they have recently dissolved.

Bob Gilbert secured base access for us.  Andy Jackson and George Geddes worked the table from 11:00 to 5:00.  Most of our work involved helping registered voters request absentee ballots.  We provided fax-able forms and cover sheets and help voters fill them out.

RAK meeting: September 24

Republicans Abroad will have its next meeting on Sunday, September 24 at 2:00.  It will be in the lobby coffee shop at the Millennium Seoul Hilton near Seoul Station.  The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Seoul Station.  Here is a (not very good) map:

Click on the image for a larger map.

RAK meeting, August 20 August 27

NOTE:  The meeting has been postponed to Sunday August 27; same place, same time.

Republicans Abroad will have its next meeting on Sunday, August 20 27 at 2:00.  It will be in the lobby coffee shop at the Millennium Seoul Hilton near Seoul Station.  The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Seoul Station.  Here is a (not very good) map:

Click on it for a clearer image.

RAK BBQ, June 17

Republicans Abroad-Korea will host a cook-out at the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, on Saturday, June 17.

Where and when to meet?

You need to be at gate 17  of the South Post of Yongsan Garrison at 11:00.  Don't be late as you will need to be signed in to get on base.  To get to gate 17 by subway, take the Number 4 (light blue) line to Ichon station.  Exit Ichon on the north side of the station. 

Here is a subway map:

You can click on the map for a printer-friendly version.

Gate 17 is near Ichon Station.  Here is a map of the area:

2006 kick-off meeting: May 20

Republicans Abroad-Korea will have a kick-off meeting for the 2006 elections on Saturday, May 20.  We have a lot to do to get ready including electing a new officer(s), get our fanances in order and preparing for voter registration training.

Where and when to meet?

You need to be at gate 17  of the South Post of Yongsan Garrison at 1:00 (1300).  Don't be late as you will need to be signed in to get on base.  To get to gate 17 by subway, take the Number 4 (light blue) line to Ichon station.  Exit Inchon on the north side of the station. 

Here is a subway map:

You can click on the map for a larger, printer-friendly version.

Gate 17 is near Inchon Station.  Here is a map of the area: