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The U.S. and South Korea will likely sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on adding South Korea to Washington's Visa Waiver Program when President Lee Myung-bak visits the U.S. in the middle of this month.
The two countries are in final negotiations to have the MOU signed during President Lee's visit as a symbol showing the closeness of the bilateral relationship, a source in Washington said on Thursday.
After signing the MOU, Seoul will finish introducing its electronic passport system and Washington will update its immigration system. It should then be possible for South Koreans to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure for up to three months visa-free from around December this year.
Students and job seekers will still have to obtain visas if they plan to stay longer than three months to study or work.
South Korea has been pushing ahead with the e-passport system, a requirement for participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
Although the U.S. visa rejection rate for South Koreans has stood above 3 percent, normally the threshold for joining the program, the U.S. is showing some flexibility so that South Korea can participate.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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