Korean Ambassador to the United States Lee Tae-sik expressed his shock and dismay at learning that a Korean was responsible for the shooting rampage at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and offered his deepest condolences to the victims and their families and friends.

Ambassador Lee attended a memorial service Tuesday night, which was organized by the Washington Council of Churches and the Korean associations at the Fairfax Country Government Center in Virginia.

The Korean ambassador said, ¡°This shocking tragedy gives the Korean community a reason to look itself over and repent, as well as reaching out to American society to form a closer relationship.¡±

He also proposed a 32-day period of fasting to mourn the 32 victims by the gunman Cho Seung-hui, urging others to join him in his private remembrance of the victims.

The ambassador was clearly grieved by the incident, calling it ¡°a tragedy beyond description.¡± He added, ¡°What we can do is to share our grief and sympathy with the families who have lost their loved ones and to America as a whole, and offer our hand to help them in their time of sadness.¡±

Lee had been on a nationwide tour through Chicago, Portland, Denver and Houston with U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow to promote bilateral relations between the two countries. He hurried back to Washington after hearing of the shooting.

The memorial service was attended by American politicians and officials, including representatives such as Frank Wolf and Tom Davis (Republican, Virginia), and Fairfax County Chairman Gerry Connolly. They thanked Lee for his remarks and condolences, hoping they would offer relief to area residents. The service was attended by 800 Koreans and Americans, all of whom offered condolences to the victims and their friends and families.



Statement of Condolence

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is shocked and dismayed by the violent crime that took place on April 16th at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

We express our deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences to the victims and their families and friends.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Washington, DC
April 17, 2007



Information Hot Line :

Embassy of the Republic of Korea : 202-939-5686
U.S. Department of State : 571-345-3146, 866-217-2089
Virginia Tech Cranwell International Center : 540-231-3787