US visa troubles for Korean lawmakers 'very unusual': ex-US diplomat
SEATTLE — A former U.S. diplomat said it is "very unusual" for Korean lawmakers to have their official visits disrupted by visa complications, suggesting that stricter interpretations of U.S. immigration rules may be behind the recent difficulties. Henry Haggard, a former minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul who now heads a Washington, D.C.-based geopolitical…
A former U.S. diplomat has expressed grave concern over the recent visa complications faced by Korean lawmakers during their official visits to the United States. Henry Haggard, a former minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, stated that such disruptions are very unusual and suggest that stricter interpretations of U.S. immigration rules may be at play.
According to Haggard, additional screening for applicants with criminal records is a standard procedure, but it has rarely prevented senior officials from traveling to the U.S. on official business. He emphasized that while any official or citizen with a criminal record would naturally face a more rigorous application process, it is uncommon for such extensive screening to result in lawmakers or their official delegations having to cancel their trips or be refused entry.
Haggard's remarks were made in response to an announcement by Rep. Jin Sung-joon, chair of the National Assembly's defense committee, who disclosed that his U.S. visa application had encountered significant obstacles.
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