U.S., S. Korea join in entry agreement

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WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Thursday announced a reciprocal agreement with South Korea to expedite travel between the two countries.

The announcement of the availability of the U.S. Global Entry program and the Korea Smart Entry Service came at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dulles Airport in Washington, with Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar and South Korean Justice Minister Jae Jin Kwon present, a CBP press release said.

Korea is the third country, after the Netherlands and Canada, to have a "trusted traveler" program in place with the United States, offering streamlined processing to low-risk, pre-approved travelers through 25 U.S. airports, the statement said.

Napolitano called the agreement between the two countries' services "not just quick, easy and efficient for travelers. They also help our customs authorities focus on those travelers we know less about."