Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yjo086]

I recently got a position to teach in Paju, however, I am a little concerned, with all the tension between North and South Korea I'm not sure if I should take the job or not. Not to mention that the city is right near the North Korea border....

Am I giving in to U.S. media speculation? Or what? Any thoughts on this matter would be most appreciative

[phoneboothface]

I sure hope it's safe or we're all screwed!

What is it the US media is speculating exactly? My millions (sic) are all here so I'm all in baby.

[Straphanger]

Nobody is going to bomb Paju. Paju is a corn field. Maybe they grow rice. Let not your heart be troubled.

[chris_J2]

I lived in Paju for a year & survived. You will too. I was playing "if you're happy & you know it stomp your feet" in class, at the time of the October 2006 detonation / nuclear test. The Damocles sword of North Korea has been hanging over South Korea for more than 50 years now. South Koreans & long term expats no longer take the almost constant threats seriously. If you need futher advice / info, PM me.

[yjo086]

Thank you everyone, you guys are most helpful! I feel like a twit just asking the question, but....whatever!

I can't PM anyone, so how is Paju?

[ChinaBoy]

Perhaps you're not familiar with modern warfare, but the entire peninsula would be immediately involved.

[bluelake]

[PRagic]

Paju? Part farms, part factories, all boring. I take it you're one of the people who bought the, '...oh, but it's really close to Seoul'-lines from a recruiter. At least you didn't get sucked into an English village.

Make the best of it. If you're near a bus stop it's not THAT far away from something interesting in Seoul.

[chris_J2]

Actually, Line 12 railway, goes from Munsan, on the North Korean border, right through to Seoul Station. 1 hour from Paju Stn to Seoul Stn. It's not part of the metro subway system per se, but similar, & all above ground. I used to go to Paju Station in the morning by bus on weekends, & get off at Wolong, late at light (where most expats detrain, at night for taxis), after coming back from sightseeing, shopping, in Seoul. Red bus 32 services that area & stops running around 10:30 pm. Uiejongbu also has a rail line, but it took much longer that way.

Ilsan station on line 12 is in the 'downmarket section. There are busses 11 & 22? going to the upmarket part of Ilsan (La Festa area & Lakeside). Geumcheon is another big suburb with plenty of facilities.

[cruisemonkey]

Paju hasn't been safe since they staffed all the food outlets at English Village with English-speaking Romanian Gypsies.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Any of the really serious stuff will be flying well over you on it's way to Seoul, Incheon, or Ansan.

[RJjr]

There's a chick wanting me to move in there. How long does it take to get to and from Paju City & Seoul? Do you get rural bonus pay? What all western-type restaurants are in Paju City?

[roadwork]

[yjo086]

Well, as long as I am near Seoul or someplace where I can entertain myself, I can deal with a boring town....ha, I'm used to it.. I didn't quite agree to the place, I was accepted into GEPIK and I guess Paju is what they gave me.

Once again, thank you all for your candor.

[RJjr]