Author Topic: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???  (Read 2060 times)

Offline SamsungKorea

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as you all guys know, there has always been tension between S and N.Korea and many foreigners outside of Korea tend to see Korea as a kind of scary and unsafe place because of existence of North Korea.

Have you guys in S.Korea ever feared or worried about North Korea when being there, or felt unsafe?



LOL don't worry..i live in S.Korea as well

Offline Jozigirl

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2012, 09:41:45 am »
Nope. Not worried or scared. Of course, most of us will probably go home if something really bad were to happen....

Offline vpluong

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2012, 09:49:37 am »
Never been afraid really. Probably because I've been fortunate to meet many wonderful people here. If I were to play the whole 'doomsday scenario' in my head, I'd probably be more afraid for the lives of the students and for the friendship I've built with Koreans here. But I don't play that whole 'doomsday scenario' all too often. Because I feel relatively safe here. Living life in fear isn't really a life worth living. Take each day as it comes.

Offline kps1

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2012, 09:50:59 am »
as you all guys know, there has always been tension between S and N.Korea and many foreigners outside of Korea tend to see Korea as a kind of scary and unsafe place because of existence of North Korea.

Have you guys in S.Korea ever feared or worried about North Korea when being there, or felt unsafe?



LOL don't worry..i live in S.Korea as well

No. A full out war wouldn't benefit North Korea and China wouldn't back them if they did. North Korea would be giving up free aid and China would have to deal with refugees and when South Korea wins, US military bases would be bordering China, something China would never want. North Korea will most likely continue to carry out small politically motivated strategic attacks in the Yellow Sea or along the DMZ, while denying responsibility, so that they can continue to demand aid and act as if they are still relevant on a global scale.

Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2012, 11:29:40 am »
I'm about as worried as a South Korean=not worried.
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline woman-king

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2012, 03:57:45 pm »
Not usually, there are good political reasons why war is unlikely.

But it's worried me before--I mean, good intelligence on NK is hard to come by, and they are a power-hungry totalitarian regime with a malnourished population and absolutely no value or significance on a global scale except as a potential nuclear threat.  I was concerned when Kim Jong-Il died, but nothing really happened.  I was definitely concerned during the November 2012 bombings on the island near Incheon, but again, the situation was diffused by South Korea.  I remember that the Wikileaks that came out around that time revealed China is more annoyed with North Korea's bomb-happy temper tantrums than many thought, and I feel like it's a sound analysis to say they wouldn't back NK in a full-fledged war.

All that to say I understand your question and I don't think it's wise to be totally blase about the situation or ever forget that South Korea is a country still technically at war with a very unpredictable and not exactly powerful but very armed enemy to the north.  It's probably good to have some kind of plan in mind for what you'd do if something were to happen and evacuation was necessary--having the means to get yourself out of the country, having a place back home you could crash last-minute if you had to, etc.  I know that if the U.S. Embassy ordered Americans out of the country, I'd be gone, it's not worth the risk to me.  Something everyone moving here must evaluate for themselves.

Offline Yegob

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2012, 05:15:59 pm »
not even remotely concerned.. and i used to get huge amounts of amusement when some girl would post on dave's during any of the typical inter korean tensions.

i'm perfectly ready to die  "in a sea of fire" .. when my time comes it'll come.

Offline orangeman

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2012, 05:42:04 pm »
not even remotely concerned.. and i used to get huge amounts of amusement when some girl would post on dave's during any of the typical inter korean tensions.

i'm perfectly ready to die  "in a sea of fire" .. when my time comes it'll come.

I was going to bring up Dave's, too.  A year or more ago there was a thread there about what you would do if the North attacked.  It was at least a dozen pages long and of course had everyone declaring they would grab any weapon available and fight alongside their South Korean brothers.  Although video games have made heroes of many ESLers here, they'd be lining up at their embassies along with the rest of us. 

Of course these typical dave's posters are all 6'2", 185 lbs, making 4.5 million with 9 months vacation, so maybe they have more to lose.

Offline Hoosier_Jedi

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2012, 05:58:44 pm »
The north attacking is media hype more than it is a real possibility. I don't worry about it all.

Offline Yegob

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2012, 07:27:16 pm »
not even remotely concerned.. and i used to get huge amounts of amusement when some girl would post on dave's during any of the typical inter korean tensions.

i'm perfectly ready to die  "in a sea of fire" .. when my time comes it'll come.

I was going to bring up Dave's, too.  A year or more ago there was a thread there about what you would do if the North attacked.  It was at least a dozen pages long and of course had everyone declaring they would grab any weapon available and fight alongside their South Korean brothers.  Although video games have made heroes of many ESLers here, they'd be lining up at their embassies along with the rest of us. 

Of course these typical dave's posters are all 6'2", 185 lbs, making 4.5 million with 9 months vacation, so maybe they have more to lose.

actually, so long as i got  high caliber gun, with a good position and lots of ammo, I'd be perfectly happy to stay around where i live and work and take out as  many norks as i could.

so long as I live and work here, I have a certain emotional attachment to the place. it's not 'home', but it's more than just "somewhere'.

re US embassy and especially their travel advisories, those are permanently stored in the "ignore' category.

Offline bobrocket

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2012, 07:47:33 pm »
No fear, but got the same spare room kitted out just in case  :D :D

Offline Jeff619

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2012, 08:24:35 pm »
As long as the US has a presence here in Korea I'm not worried.  If they leave, I'd probably leave soon after.  I don't worry because like most, I'd be out of here before anything serious went down.  It also helps that I'm American and the military has escape plans for US citizens.  The only thing I'd really worry about is my wife's family.  I've grown to love them a lot, and I don't know how easy it would be to get them out of here if anything were to happen. 

Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2012, 09:38:00 pm »

actually, so long as i got  high caliber gun, with a good position and lots of ammo, I'd be perfectly happy to stay around where i live and work and take out as  many norks as i could.

And who would help you?  The US/South Korea/allies wouldn't help you.  And since you're armed, you're a combatant.  You can't get non-combatant services (like evacuation, shelter, food, supplies) from the Red Cross or other agencies.  You'd be completely on your own.
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline Yegob

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2012, 10:29:26 pm »

actually, so long as i got  high caliber gun, with a good position and lots of ammo, I'd be perfectly happy to stay around where i live and work and take out as  many norks as i could.

And who would help you?  The US/South Korea/allies wouldn't help you.  And since you're armed, you're a combatant.  You can't get non-combatant services (like evacuation, shelter, food, supplies) from the Red Cross or other agencies.  You'd be completely on your own.

oh I think the respective militaries would help me. why wouldn' they? i'd be effectively fighting on their side.

i'm not suggesting i'd be the first to jump into some trench if something happened.
but you can bet everything you have i  wouldn't be among the all the little (well the word i want to say rhymes with riches) who'd be calling the US embassy in or streaming there in a panic if things ever got the slightest bit dicey.


Offline gmosborn

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2012, 08:16:52 am »

This is why NK is pursuing a peace treaty with the US and not SK. they think that will get US out of the way and then they can invade SK.  If and when NK gets a peace treaty with the US, I am outta here.

Offline sejongthefabulous

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2012, 08:29:17 am »
I don't think about it except when I'm asked or they do something foolish.
That being said, the American army has done an outstanding job protecting Korea over the last 60 years, mostly by deterring outside threats. Despite the fact that the country is divided, Korea has enjoyed an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity.
Also I think a lot of the threats are overblown. It keeps the Americans here and drives up military spending.

Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2012, 08:38:17 am »

actually, so long as i got  high caliber gun, with a good position and lots of ammo, I'd be perfectly happy to stay around where i live and work and take out as  many norks as i could.

And who would help you?  The US/South Korea/allies wouldn't help you.  And since you're armed, you're a combatant.  You can't get non-combatant services (like evacuation, shelter, food, supplies) from the Red Cross or other agencies.  You'd be completely on your own.

oh I think the respective militaries would help me. why wouldn' they? i'd be effectively fighting on their side.

i'm not suggesting i'd be the first to jump into some trench if something happened.
but you can bet everything you have i  wouldn't be among the all the little (well the word i want to say rhymes with riches) who'd be calling the US embassy in or streaming there in a panic if things ever got the slightest bit dicey.

Are you pulling my leg?

I would be one of those littles running to the embassy.
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline Davox

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2012, 09:01:40 am »
Not worried at all.  No one stands to gain anything from a newly re-opened Korean war.  Not the south (which would lose decades of general economic progress), not the ruling class of the north (who would be hanged for war crimes when they inevitably lose the war, which even they know they would), nor China (who values stability and not sharing a border with US troops) nor the US (which can't afford another big war right now).

The status quo actually works out really well for everyone but your average NK citizen, and no one in a position of power cares enough about them to risk the consequences of rocking the boat.

And I really am putting my money where my mouth is with this opinion here.  I'm typing this from Paju; the DMZ is just a few minutes of driving from where I'm sitting.  Also, this opinion is shared pretty much completely by all my co-workers too.

Offline nickster13

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2012, 09:09:34 am »
Of course a little worried. NK could invade at any time, and Seoul is awfully close to NK. Its highly unlikely, but its like an earthquake in an earthquake prone region, sure the big one is unlikely to hit, but just the mere small likelihood of it happening is a tiny bit nerveracking

Offline jimmyeatworldwar

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Re: You foreigners living in Korea don't really fear/worry about N.Korea???
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2012, 09:10:32 am »
where I am from, it is already a doomsday economically speaking.