The 3rd round of Korea-U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Consultation Meeting was held in Washington D.C. on January 30, with Kim Bong-hyun, Director-General of the Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Richard C. Barth, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development of the U.S. Homeland Security Department heading the delegations, respectively.

During the meeting, the two sides made considerable progress in the discussion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that covers the measures for cooperation for Korea’s joining of the VWP, under the principles of reciprocity, equality among the countries which have joined the U.S. VWP, and mutual cooperation in the present legal system. Both sides agreed to exert efforts to finalize the text of the Memorandum in coming March.

The two sides exchanged views on the timeframe for the implementation of preconditions for Korea’s joining of the VWP including introduction of electronic passports by Korea and the establishment of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the Exit Control System by the U.S.

The two sides agreed to hold the 4th round of the Consultation Meeting at an early date to have intensive discussions on Implementing Arrangements which will include the specific conditions for the implementation of the MOU.

Korea and the U.S. have had consultation meetings on the VWP to discuss necessary measures that need to be taken for Korea to become a member of the program. The first and the second rounds were held in Seoul in July and in November 2007, respectively.