Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

I live near a river, and a large group of fully-armed troops just walked through on a patrol. I live in a very residential neighborhood. First time I've seen that around here. I've seen that kind of thing near bases, but we're too deep in the middle of podunk nowhere residential apartment Seoul to get that under normal circumstances. My bet is they're charged with guarding along the river.

[moosehead]

so instead of moseyin' over and asking them what's up you jumped on your computer to tell us about it?

if they come back grab some popcorn and a lawn chair and park out there with a video camera - perhaps they'll come over and chat a bit

[bassexpander]

They're the age of my univ. students, with the exception of the drill instructor bringing up the rear. He looked like he'd had one too many Krispy Kremes.

[Bibbitybop]

I saw a small area around a provincial Jongno office taped office with street camo barriers inside. It looked a paintball practice set up.

[Robot_Teacher]

Many times, I've tried talking with young soldiers commonly seen in Gangwon-do, but they won't speak English or talk to me.

[digsydinner]

same here...at the express bus terminal in gangnam. didn't think much of it at first, but now you got me thinking...

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

The gun-totin' can seem kinda normative after a time....which is odd in itself.

First time was actually at my hagwon. There had been some "industrial dispute" at the Korea Herald building in Myoung-dong during the day and when I returned for my evening shift, some of the admin staff were changing into fatigues in the toilets. "Mr.Kim, what are you doing?" ." I have to protect the building". Um,ok.....On leaving at 9pm there were 2 guys on the front door with rifles. They were no doubt doing it as part of their reservist duty and the Chairman had called in a slight favour.

Second time was in Jongno where I saw a SWAT guy with an automatic rifle guarding what could only be described as a taped off pothole outside Tapkol Park. Speaking of SWAT guys, many is the time I've seen them at 7-11 in the most nondescript areas in summer during summer convenience store drinking. They like their ice-creams!

[Xuanzang]

[Gaber]

I saw a bunch marching on my drive home near Silim station a little over an hour ago. Wierd thing though, they were carrying the old guns I've ever seen carried by a soldier. Like First Korean War ( ) era. Hope the big men remembered to stock up on there M3s if the shit does hit. Also, the guys all looked young enough to make me feel old.