The KOREAN VISA WAIVER COMMITTEE (KVWC) believes that inclusion of South Korea into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) would have an immediate and positive impact on the tourism industry in Hawai'i. South Korea, a trusted US ally and a major player in the world economy, would offer a substantial boost to our state at a time when the number of tourists from other Asian nations has decreased significantly. In 2002 alone, South Korean travelers spent $21 billion in the US, and South Korea's position as a longtime friend and sixth largest trading partner of the US makes it an ideal nation to become a part of the VWP. The KVWC suggests that South Korean travelers have proven through the successful example of the Guam Visa Waiver program that they would make a great contribution to the tourist industry in Hawai'i. South Korean travelers come from a strong democratic nation that has for many years shown genuine goodwill toward the US. It is out sincere hope that South Korea can be included in this program.

Specifically, the KVWC advocates a special visa waiver for Korean travelers to Hawai'i, similar to the program available for travel to Guam. We believe this can be accomplished in three phases, outlined in detail below. This type of program could be tailored to meet the new security concerns of the US government, while at the same time easing economic loss for Americans. A special VWP for Hawai'i would send the right message about the kind of value we place on our relationship with Korea, a trusted US ally for over fifty years.

The VWP program currently only includes two countries from Asia, Japan and Singapore; by excluding Korea from the VWP we are sending the wrong message to a foremost US ally. Due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the US government has understandably tightened security screenings for non-immigrant visa applicants, but this increased security has caused delays and a significant backlog of visa applications for non-VWP citizens in allied countries like Korea, resulting in many potential tourists choosing non-US destinations for travel. Losing these visitors, particularly from a country like Korea whose citizens spent $21 billion in this country last year, means Hawai'i's already damaged tourist industry is arguably relinquishing millions of dollars in tourism revenue.