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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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greygirl83
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: NK threats, should I still come? |
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Hey everyone.
Well, my boyfriend and I have signed contracts and are planning to teach in Buseon for the next year. We leave in 3 weeks. However, with all this talk about N.Korea and everything, I was wondering, should we be reconsidering? How are the feelings among teachers there now? Is anyone planning to leave becuase of this? Just wondering, maybe searching for some solice. Thanks, peace. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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| There has been no talk here on Dave's about anyone leaving or mentioning they know someone is leaving. My conclusion: While the situation is something to keep an eye on, it is not something serious enough to change plans for. |
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Manner of Speaking
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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greygirl,
I have lived in Korea for almost seven years; during that time, I've heard a lot of noise from North Korea, but never anything I thought was worth worrying about. Until now. For the first time in seven years, I AM worried. About what might happen if North Korea tests a nuclear weapon. I have no immediate plans to leave...but I am keeping my options open. |
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Boodleheimer
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Location: working undercover for the Man
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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| granted, i'm a newbie (arr. July 1), but i haven't had a good night's sleep in days. but i can be an irrational worrier. i'll have a forehead like a pug dog's pretty soon. |
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Rteacher
Joined: 23 May 2005
Location: Western MA, USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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If North Korea does defy more-or-less united world opinion and conducts a nuclear test it could have various impacts including a steady weakening of the South Korean currency as it becomes ever more likely that NK will collapse one way or another and there will be a deluge of refugees (or dead bodies...) to deal with.
I'm not much bothered by it, but everyone here should at least register with their embassy (the American embassy sends warning alerts to cell phones...) and have enough money to fly out on short notice... |
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Wangja
Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, if there's a seat on a plane.
And if all the planes have not been commandeered by the US embassy.
(An American chum in Cairo seriously assured me that this would happen if the balloon went up so that all US citizens could be evacuated. When I asked if Lufthansa et al had agreed, he was silent). |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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Well.... until yesterday, I would have said, "Yes." I've always been right about what NK was doing/going to do. Until today.
This is uncharted territory. This is such a huge raise in the stakes that all bets are off. My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now.
Then again, Bush may just want to prove the US can handle three wars at once, just to keep the rest of the world in line...
Like I said, all bets are off. |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Nobody panic. Just watch events closely over the next week. At this point, I would say things should eb fine. But keep on eye on things. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now. |
This is my read of it too. In fact, I'll make this my official prediction on the matter: no war, at least for the duration of your contract.
This is a particularly comfortable prediction for me to make. If I'm right and nothing happens, I win. If I'm wrong, and the "balloon goes up", you'll likely not have access to a working Internet connection - or, and we're talking hypotheticals here, access to chemical weapon-free air - so you won't be able to call me on it. So, you know, I win again.
So, come!!  |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| On the positive side for those of us currently here: this may decrease the number of newbies significantly, potentially raising salaries and/or just making things less competetive. And, some that were going to re-up will likely reconsider, so... |
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i_teach_esl
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Location: baebang, asan/cheonan
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If I'm right and nothing happens, I win. If I'm wrong, and the "balloon goes up", you'll likely not have access to a working Internet connection - or, and we're talking hypotheticals here, access to chemical weapon-free air - so you won't be able to call me on it. So, you know, I win again. |
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Alias77
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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| EFLtrainer wrote: |
This is uncharted territory. This is such a huge raise in the stakes that all bets are off. My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now.
Then again, Bush may just want to prove the US can handle three wars at once, just to keep the rest of the world in line...
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There's no way that numbnut can militarily cover NK. Russia and China have distanced themselves from US participation regarding NK. They're either chumming in the "commies only" club or they know that ignorance in foreign policy will destabilize that region of the world as well. Also, aggressive US military actions that close to China will surely not be taken lightly. China will likely go ape-shit if the US does anything beyond defensive military posture.
Where would the US troops come from to cover the area anyway? They've already enforced mandatory contract extensions (thinly veiled enforced draft) of the current military to keep Iraq together - and look how well that's going. I don't think the compliment stationed in SK is sufficient for anything beyond defensive purposes.
Btw - it should be noted that the Clinton administration had progressively positive talks with NK. When the fearmongers took over, they didn't trust the activities continuation packet handed them by the outgoing Clinton administration and summarily cut off talks with NK and scrapped Clinton admin initiatives. Now, look what KJI has done to get attention. I'm sure bushie will stumble through some public speech soon though, in an attempt to explain his response of the "nuk-u-lar" situation there.
OT:
I'm still planning on going at this point, about the same time as you. I'll be watching the news and educating myself about the situation in the meantime. As long as the economy doesn't suffer and the value of the won doesn't drop drastically, it should be ok - for me. My other big hurdle is going to be convincing my grandmother I won't die after she sees the news tomorrow. 
Last edited by Alias77 on Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ChuckECheese
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Alias77 wrote: |
| EFLtrainer wrote: |
This is uncharted territory. This is such a huge raise in the stakes that all bets are off. My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now.
Then again, Bush may just want to prove the US can handle three wars at once, just to keep the rest of the world in line...
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There's no way that numbnut can militarily cover NK. Russia and China have distanced themselves from US participation regarding NK. They're either chumming in the "commies only" club or they know that ignorance in foreign policy will destabilize that region of the world as well. Also, aggressive US military actions that close to China will surely not be taken lightly. China will likely go ape-*beep* if the US does anything beyond defensive military posture.
Where would the US troops come from to cover the area anyway? They've already enforced mandatory contract extensions (thinly veiled enforced draft) of the current military to keep Iraq together - and look how well that's going. I don't think the compliment stationed in SK is sufficient for anything beyond defensive purposes.
Btw - it should be noted that the Clinton administration had progressively positive talks with NK. When the fearmongers took over, they didn't trust the activities continuation packet handed them by the outgoing Clinton administration and summarily cut off talks with NK and scrapped Clinton admin initiatives. Now, look what KJI has done to get attention. I'm sure bushie will stumble through some public speech soon though, in an attempt to explain his response of the "nuk-u-lar" situation there. |
I am not saying that there will be any US military response to NK, but give me a break, man. The US has the capability to do what the hell ever we want to do. The NK may have ace of spade, but the US has the wild cards to trump it at any time.
You don't really know what really happened during the stand off between NK and the Clinton administration, do you? Clinton came very very close to launching the military attack against NK, however, he sent Carter to scare the *beep* out of them, which was the final warning before the attack. The US military was in full lock down and ready to rock and roll at the time.
My feeling is that nothing will happen for now, but if NK keeps this *beep* up, the U.S. will eventually run outta peaceful and diplomatic options. |
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Wangja
Joined: 17 May 2004
Location: Seoul, Yongsan
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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| ChuckECheese wrote: |
| Alias77 wrote: |
| EFLtrainer wrote: |
This is uncharted territory. This is such a huge raise in the stakes that all bets are off. My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now.
Then again, Bush may just want to prove the US can handle three wars at once, just to keep the rest of the world in line...
|
There's no way that numbnut can militarily cover NK. Russia and China have distanced themselves from US participation regarding NK. They're either chumming in the "commies only" club or they know that ignorance in foreign policy will destabilize that region of the world as well. Also, aggressive US military actions that close to China will surely not be taken lightly. China will likely go ape-*beep* if the US does anything beyond defensive military posture.
Where would the US troops come from to cover the area anyway? They've already enforced mandatory contract extensions (thinly veiled enforced draft) of the current military to keep Iraq together - and look how well that's going. I don't think the compliment stationed in SK is sufficient for anything beyond defensive purposes.
Btw - it should be noted that the Clinton administration had progressively positive talks with NK. When the fearmongers took over, they didn't trust the activities continuation packet handed them by the outgoing Clinton administration and summarily cut off talks with NK and scrapped Clinton admin initiatives. Now, look what KJI has done to get attention. I'm sure bushie will stumble through some public speech soon though, in an attempt to explain his response of the "nuk-u-lar" situation there. |
I am not saying that there will be any US military response to NK, but give me a break, man. The US has the capability to do what the hell ever we want to do. The NK may have ace of spade, but the US has the wild cards to trump it at any time.
You don't really know what really happened during the stand off between NK and the Clinton administration, do you? Clinton came very very close to launching the military attack against NK, however, he sent Carter to scare the *beep* out of them, which was the final warning before the attack.
My feeling is that nothing will happen for now, but if NK keeps this *beep* up, the U.S. will eventually run outta peaceful and diplomatic options. |
I take some small comfort in the fact that at least one person seems to believe that the present adminisstration might understand "peaceful and diplomatic options".
There is hope. |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Wangja wrote: |
| ChuckECheese wrote: |
| Alias77 wrote: |
| EFLtrainer wrote: |
This is uncharted territory. This is such a huge raise in the stakes that all bets are off. My initial take is that the US is too spread out to attempt to react militarily... for now.
Then again, Bush may just want to prove the US can handle three wars at once, just to keep the rest of the world in line...
|
There's no way that numbnut can militarily cover NK. Russia and China have distanced themselves from US participation regarding NK. They're either chumming in the "commies only" club or they know that ignorance in foreign policy will destabilize that region of the world as well. Also, aggressive US military actions that close to China will surely not be taken lightly. China will likely go ape-*beep* if the US does anything beyond defensive military posture.
Where would the US troops come from to cover the area anyway? They've already enforced mandatory contract extensions (thinly veiled enforced draft) of the current military to keep Iraq together - and look how well that's going. I don't think the compliment stationed in SK is sufficient for anything beyond defensive purposes.
Btw - it should be noted that the Clinton administration had progressively positive talks with NK. When the fearmongers took over, they didn't trust the activities continuation packet handed them by the outgoing Clinton administration and summarily cut off talks with NK and scrapped Clinton admin initiatives. Now, look what KJI has done to get attention. I'm sure bushie will stumble through some public speech soon though, in an attempt to explain his response of the "nuk-u-lar" situation there. |
I am not saying that there will be any US military response to NK, but give me a break, man. The US has the capability to do what the hell ever we want to do. The NK may have ace of spade, but the US has the wild cards to trump it at any time.
You don't really know what really happened during the stand off between NK and the Clinton administration, do you? Clinton came very very close to launching the military attack against NK, however, he sent Carter to scare the *beep* out of them, which was the final warning before the attack.
My feeling is that nothing will happen for now, but if NK keeps this *beep* up, the U.S. will eventually run outta peaceful and diplomatic options. |
I take some small comfort in the fact that at least one person seems to believe that the present adminisstration might understand "peaceful and diplomatic options".
There is hope. |
Simpler than that: he has no choice, really. Really can't handle a war here. Also, the Bush cadre are bullies. You know what happens when a bully knows he might not win... And, finally, what's the financial payoff? Don't see anything in this for Haliburton or Big Oil, do you.
Nah, if Dumbya does something, it will be solely to assuage his ego. |
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