Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bongflower]

Hi everyone

I'm a long time reader and first time poster. I'm planning on leaving for SK in a few months and I'm researching places to live. One question I can't seem to find answers to is: how prevalent are American military bases and soldiers in the smaller cities throughout SK? I'm wondering if the large American military presence in SK affects daily life for foreign teachers.

I hope no one takes this post the wrong way but the reason I'm concerned is because of bad experiences with American soldiers in the past. I'd prefer to live away from these bases but it's hard to find out where any are other than the major ones.

I've been considering Gwangju and the surrounding area but the past conflicts between citizens and the American military kind of turns me off. Should I be concerned about this or am I just a crazy Canadian pacifist?

[Bulsajo]

I suggest that if you're planning on coming to Korea to work, you should have higher priorities to worry about.
As an extreme example, take this hypothetical question:
Would you rather work in an absolute shithole for peanuts with a lying *beep* for a boss yet far away from any US base, or have a great, well-paying gig right next to the biggest base in Korea?

[bongflower]

I know what you're saying and it definitely is a minor priority. The reason I asked is because I'm in the process of researching all aspects of life for an ESL teacher and this was a topic that doesn't seem to be addressed (at least in Internet resources). I've never been to Korea before and I was just curious as I'm aware there are a lot of U.S. Troops residing there.

[jaderedux]

Hmmm? I think the Army banned raping and pillaging sometime last year, well in Korea anyway. Nylon stockings and chocolate just don't hold the same currency as before. The nightly swat raids on the Rocky Mountain Tavern have been called off and the mass rounding up of Canadian citizens I think ceased last year. They used to round them make them drink budweiser and watch American football and wear Dallas Cowboy Jerseys in public...oh dear gawd the horror.

Be careful though..they are all armed to the teeth....full battle gear and sidearms at the ready and that is just when they go out on Friday night Mostly they are looking to corrupt some sweet innocent flower that floated in from Canada. These trigger happy, blood thirsty, sexually depraved soldiers roam the street in packs looking for lovely young canadians like yourself to sell into white slavery. The papers are filled with these incidents.

Yes...there are hundreds of thousands of them everywhere...ghettos of drunk soldiers and garishly painted women preying on the innocent. Fighting and riots break out almost every day among the gentle ESL teacher and the evil cigar chomping, gun toting soldiers that make up the U.S. military. Oh the inhumanity and senseless loss of teachers as they wade through the scores of ESL teachers pistol whipping anyone who isn't American and taking the women off over their shoulders never to be seen again. When will the maddness stop?

Maybe you should stay home and cultivate your "bongflowers". Me thinks your delicate sensibilites might be offended by the random encounters you might have with the military in Korea.

Jade throws down her pencil!

[Bulsajo]

If it's drunks and brothels you're concerned about, you can find those just about anywhere in Korea not just next to US bases.

[bongflower]

Holy you guys are extremely harsh! From these responses I assume day to day living is not affected by a military presence. I honestly am just curious about where major military bases are located in South Korea. Does anyone have any actual information on this topic?

[Big Mac]

I'm not sure why this is such a concern for you. However, if you don't go near places like Itaewon or Songtan it's highly unlikely that you'll run into a GI. They tend to stick around the base.

If you ever want services in English in the Seoul area your best bet will be to go to an area that is close to an army base. Usually the shops and offices in these areas will have clerks who speak good English. You won't find that in most other parts of Seoul.

It's not like a GI is going to attack you or anything just because you're Canadian! What is the big deal?

[bobbyhanlon]

to answer your question, no it doesn't make much of a difference. out in the provinces i think it's a fair bet you'll hardly notice them at all, and in seoul the only place really is yongsan/itaewon/haebangchon i would guess.

[bongflower]

Thanks for the replies, that's actually all I was looking for. I do realize I sound paranoid and I was hoping not to come off that way. I think I've seen and heard a little too much anti-American propaganda lately!

[gypsyfish]

[ThePoet]

And on a lighter note, how are things in Nisku and Edmonton?

From a transplanted Edmontonian

The Poet

[OiGirl]

There are US military personnel stationed in (Jeolla) Gwangju.

[bongflower]

Things in Edmonton are same old! I actually live there and work in Nisku (harsh). Winter is very warm this year which is sweet though (unless you consider that a symptom of global warming - then scary!).

[Mr. Pink]

To the OP I am offended about your ignorance concerning American bases in Korea.

I have many good friends who work for the military. I have been on the bases numerous times and if anything they are a refresher from life in Korea.

Without the bases you wouldnt have any of the blackmarket goods the adjumas score off the bases either.

I think you are a wierd Canadian. I am a Canadian myself and I am a realist. Are you one of those anti-American/anti-armed forces people? Being a realist, having American GIs in Korea is overall a positive thing.

As another poster said, you have WAY more to worry about than US bases. I can think of probably 20 things of greater importance to you than worrying about protests or people thinking you are a soldier.

[spliff]

Frankly...if were a gal, I'd be more worried about Korean men specifically, your boss! Good luck!