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trevelyan66
Joined: 21 Sep 2010
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 Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject: Question: Quick Rundown of Political Climate in SK/Seoul? |
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I've been planning on teaching ESL in Korea, particularly Seoul, now for a few months, and have even started learning the language.
However, I have been rather deterred by recent political events, mainly the North's artillery attack on the South, and the subsequent diplomatic fervor between the West/SK and the North.
For those of you currently teaching over there, how have you viewed this recent conflict, and how do you place it in the larger context of SK/NK relations?
Also, is it "safe" to teach in SKorea? Is it significantly safer to teach in, say, Busan, rather than the capital?
Or should I just forget my interest and teach ESL in China...?
Thanks for the help! |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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What political events? 
Most people here seem to have forgotten about it already. Koreans are far too busy to dwell on political matters for long.
Although the two incidents in 2010 were more serious than usual, there has been a pattern of skirmishes and provocations since the end of the Korean War......so most Koreans imagine the tension will just die down again after a while like it always has before. |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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| The various political parties are gearing up for the next presidential election. Unless something very serious happens, like NK collapsing, or an outright war, NK is very much way at the bottom of the list for priorities for most people. |
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toadkillerdog
Joined: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Daejeon. ROK
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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| What is NK? |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| You're more likely to be hit by a car than an artillery round. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| You're more likely to be hit by a car than an artillery round. |
Or an asteroid. |
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chellovek
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| If you're that scared or worried look into going somewhere safer, it would help your peace of mind. The amount of Fs who poo themselves whenever any little thing happens boggles my mind. |
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UknowsI
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject: Re: Question: Quick Rundown of Political Climate in SK/Seoul |
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| trevelyan66 wrote: |
Also, is it "safe" to teach in SKorea? Is it significantly safer to teach in, say, Busan, rather than the capital?
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I would consider it safe pretty much anywhere (except maybe on the islands along the NK border). But if we assume that a war does start, I still think Busan would be completely safe. So if this is a major concern of yours, you might consider going to one of the cities in the south. |
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TL
Joined: 30 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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Just wondering if you folks received an email from your embassies. I got one today.
Subject: Announcement of One-Day Military Firing Exercise in Northwest Islands off the Coast of Korea Between December 18-21, 2010 |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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| TL wrote: |
Just wondering if you folks received an email from your embassies. I got one today.
Subject: Announcement of One-Day Military Firing Exercise in Northwest Islands off the Coast of Korea Between December 18-21, 2010 |
I really like the condescending tone of the email, about how they don't routinely send out emails, and people should watch the local media for information instead of relying on the embassy. I don't know about you guys, but IMO, the US Embassy is about as useful as *beep* on a boar. |
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Summer Wine
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Location: Next to a River
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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I feel he raised some very interesting points.
I also feel that he hit upon the exact same things that I fear could happen.
Though a good read none the less.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/12/16/how_to_stop_the_next_korean_war
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For the first time in decades, a new war on the Korean peninsula appears to be a distinct probability. Not only does North Korea's regime seem determined to escalate its provocations, but the air has also changed in South Korea, where society is in an unusually bellicose mood nowadays. After North Korean artillery stunned the world by shelling the island of Yeonpyeong last month, killing four and wounding 20, South Korean generals are talking unusually tough. For example, Gen. Han Min-koo, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently promised that in case of another North Korean attack, his forces "will completely crush the enemy."
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Rteacher
Joined: 23 May 2005
Location: Western MA, USA
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superNET
Joined: 08 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Gen. Han Min-koo, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently promised that in case of another North Korean attack, his forces "will completely crush the enemy."
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If he does this, I hope he has missiles targeting the North's rocket silos so they can't launch any nuclear weapons. Or are watching for vehicles carrying nuclear weapons. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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| superNET wrote: |
| Quote: |
Gen. Han Min-koo, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently promised that in case of another North Korean attack, his forces "will completely crush the enemy."
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If he does this, I hope he has missiles targeting the North's rocket silos so they can't launch any nuclear weapons. Or are watching for vehicles carrying nuclear weapons. |
1) The consensus seems to be that North Korea can't deliver their nuclear payloads via missile.
2) Because they normally just let vehicles roll across the DMZ? |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| You're more likely to be hit by a car than an artillery round. |
If you cycle then the cars here really are a major threat to your safety.
But don't worry too much the possibility of war. Even if NK does invade and take over the peninsula, mothers will still be sending their kids hogwans to learn substandard English. The only difference is that instead of being shafted by some generic, shady, half-witted hogwon owner, you'll be shafted by some generic, shady, half-witted government worker. Again, don't worry. Civil servants are just as efficient as giving you a stiff 6 as private business owners. |
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