Comments on: Tales from the frontier of expat life: Tension in South Korea

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:43:20 +0000

I wouldn’t worry too much! It can be difficult to tell from what the locals will say, especially if it’s in their interest to get you here, but from the perspective of jittery foreigner, things are already quickly calming down. This week the ROK has scaled back the sanctions- they are REALLY not interested in provoking North Korea. Almost no one here is in favor of retaliation or a harsh response. Here’s hoping that by late August the whole thing will have blown over!

By: Anne M

Anne M — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:03:41 +0000

Great article Kate. I lived in Korea two years ago and have been curious about how the current situation is trickling down into Koreans’ everyday lives, and expats’ lives too. People could be genuinely unfazed, or maybe it’s a coping mechanism, to go about everyday life…

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:19:43 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts Kate; my partner and I are traveling to Daegu at the end of August to compete in the World Firefighter Games and I am a bit nervous. I have been communicating with other competitors around the world about this situation but most seem to think I am being overly concerned. I would ask the organisers but feel they will try to play it down as it could ruin the whole event. I would love to know how things are going over there from people living there instead of trying to read between the over sensationised journalism I have been reading.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:55:08 +0000

Wonderful article, Kate. I left Seoul this past September after a year of teaching. You described it so well – tense, but just covered with a band-aid. Pretending everything’s okay.

Thanks for sharing this!

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:19:45 +0000

@Eric I know the feeling! It’s strangely exciting to be around when something big is happening…

@Sarah Good luck! If it helps I should tell you that I’ve never felt like we’re in danger here, at least not yet! It can be a little unnerving though, when no one bats an eye at the threats!

By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:45:37 +0000

Scary stuff. On the surface, it was the same story when I was there 4-5 years ago: sensational American media stories (about missile tests, I think) vs. life as usual in Seoul. This feels a bit more for real, though, especially if you’re feeling it on the ground.

It helps to remember that no one wants war–not even the North, not matter how nutbag they act. And there’s been plenty of instigation in the past–assassination attempts, tunnel digging, naval skirmishes–w/o it coming to anything.

By: Sarah Duncan

Sarah Duncan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:03:36 +0000

Thanks for a great article, I am in the process of gathering my visa documents for a move to Seoul in August. I hope nothing comes of this but it’s great to get another expats opinion

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:08:26 +0000

Well written article. I loved how you captured the heart of normalcy in an abnormal situation. Life goes on…always.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:06:35 +0000

I really don’t see any change in people in Daegu, but I could be missing it in their Korean conversations. I have noticed a difference in some of the new teachers our school has gotten. They are a bit more concerned and vowing to register with their respective embassy before something happens. I am actually excited, maybe more than I should be but I don’t know. I really don’t think anything could happen but I don’t understand the way some Korean’s think. Great article.