Well from the panic stricken messages I received from people at home it would seem that World War 3 has just broke out and I'm in the middle of the blitz.
In truth, nobody in Korea gives a crap. Technically the two countries have been "in a state of war" since the Korean war began in 1945. There was never a peace treaty, no side won the war, no side surrendered; they just signed an armistice agreement which still stands to this day.
I asked my boss today what he thought about the current escalating threats from the North. He's an intelligent 40 year-old man who served in the military as a special officer. He laughed at my question and said there's nothing to worry about.
The 'western' news, the stuff I read in English, is so dramatic! Here in South Korea, news coverage of the latest smart phone takes precedence over anything from North Korea. People aren't worried about the threat of war; to them it's just the noisy neighbours kicking up a fuss again.
If something does happen, however, I feel safe in the knowledge that the Korean military can kick ass, just check out these guys...
 |
| This is what happens when you have compulsory military service combined with Korea's obsession with being "cute"... |
