Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ElLector]

I have interviewed for jobs in South Korea, and have already been given a contract (Not signed yet). So here's my concern:

With all the news about North Korea's threats to South Korea, is it safe for a foreign teacher to teach there? I'm not going to lie; I'm a little nervous. I am so excited about the opportunity, and I don't want this to stop me from wanting to go.

Your responses would be helpful.

[ontheway]

North Korea has been making threats since the end of the Korean war. Kim JongIl will continue to make threats until he dies.

IMO he's just an old buffoon and it's all a lot of hot air and noise. South Korea is safer than most places on Earth.

[John_ESL_White]

The Korean military have raised their warning level to the second highest level, out of five.

The entire nation is on alert and panic is in the air.

I went to the local BIG mart and they were sold out of the basics, Italian bread, pizza with mozzarella and pepperoni, macaroni and cheese, white eggs, dill pickles, even refried beans were absent.

You be the judge. But, I'm scared.

[jonbowman88]

If u dont mind an insane man in your backyard setting off nukes, you should have no problem living here.

[ontheway]

[John_ESL_White]

[blackjack]

[John_ESL_White]

[blackjack]

[ElLector]

This is what I think: Wouldn't the American government implement a no-travel clause for anybody that wants to travel there? So far, I haven't seen any of that.

This is so hard because I got the offers, and I'm ready to go, but I don't want to step into a war zone. That would seriously @#$!

I am well aware that there has been tension between the North and South for decades.

I really want to go, though. Ugh!

[John_ESL_White]

[teachergirltoo]

Average Koreans ARE scared. I teach a large parents class. Yesterday the topic of discussion was this situation. They said they are all scared more now than they ever have been in their lives, and have been discussing amongst their families whether they should head south now or send their families temporarily overseas. Oddly enough, they said they had talked amongst themselves and thought that they would all take action for themselves when they saw the US government evacuate me and the other US foreigners (I fall under Cdn and US because of parents). I told them not to use me as a gauge because I am pretty sure I will find out just about the same time as them that something has happened. But it was an eye opener for me that these people are deeply concerned.

[Demophobe]

They have declared war on the South....twice as of yesterday.

[Hollywoodaction]

North Korea's brinkmanship is linked to its domestic problems. The fact they were willing to use such a bargaining chip (the armistice) indicates that there is serious political instability in the country. It's probably safe to imagine that this is all linked to Kim Jong-il's health and the apparent nomination of his youngest sons, Kim Jong-un, as his successor (the official announcement is expected this fall). This latest diplomatic row is most likely aimed at enabling the North Korean government to stifle dissent by tightening its hold over the population in the name of national security as power begins to change hands. It also enables North Korean propagandists to pad Kim Jong-un's resume. I wouldn't be surprised if the KNCA begins to claim that the nuclear tests and missile launches (and other supposed military victories against the US) were made possible thanks to his leadership.

As for how this affects their foreign relations...They want to cause trouble to the LMB governement and hope to receive additional aid from China (which would hate having to deal with North Korean refugees and would rather keep the status quo than see South Korean and American soldiers at its border).

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It's a bit like living next to an active volcano. It may have a massive erruption; it may just rumble a bit; or it may fade out and die. But when you actually get there, you're surprised at how complacent the people living right next to it are.