How Is It For Those Living in South Korea These Days

[Daniel Metz]

With all the news on CNN, I know some of you may be wondering how we feel living in South Korea. I will be here until Friday, when I leave permanently to live in Australia, but this article sums up how we here think about the situation:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/29/world/asia/south-korea-clancy-reaction/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

[Musky]

Thanks for posting this Daniel!

Isn't it amazing what people can get "used" to? As humans, we are adaptable!

[rocket]

Thanks for the info Daniel.

However way the rhetoric goes, for me I think I would be planning an `exit stage right' or at least an extended vacation in the far south of the peninsula.

[Daniel Metz]

To be honest, Lynn, I am a bit relieved that I am leaving South Korea for good this Friday. These threats are more violent than what I was used to. I wasn't here in 2010 when Yangpyeong Island was bombarded by the North and it looked like the South would retaliate. I got emails from one of my former students who was really worried that war would start.

However, before I left in 2009 (I returned here in 2011), I read an article that calmed me: as Colin Powell said this week, the North Koreans know that if there were a war with the United States and South Korea, they would lose and their regime would be over. They would cause a lot of damage to South Korea unfortunately, and many would die, but the South Korean army and the of course the US Army are much better equipped than the North Koreans who have old equipment, and, according to reports, not enough bullets for soldiers to practice shooting and not enough food to feed their million-man army. North Korean soldiers regularly defect across the DMZ because conditions are so bad there, according to the newspapers.

Of course, once fighting breaks out, logic goes out the window, as the First World War showed, so only the future will tell.

However, the point of the article is that most of the time, we don't think about North Korea. They have threatened war over past US and South Korean military exercises and have never done anything about it. Many think that the purpose is to make their own people fear a US invasion and so strengthen the support their people give to the regime.

Meanwhile, life goes on here and, most importantly, the good news is being preached by our zealous South Korean brothers, and guest workers joining them, like me!

[Myree]

State of War

Is this a new development Daniel, or more bluster?

[Daniel Metz]

The statement ""As of now, inter-Korea relations enter a state of war and all matters between the two Koreas will be handled according to wartime protocol" is new for me, but I think it is more bluster. As Tim Clancey said in his report in my first post, all of these threats are conditional on the US and/or South Korea causing a "provocation".

I think all of this is bluster.

North Korea is in a weak position but they are very proud, so they pretend that they are strong. Another analyst said that North Korea always does this saber-rattling every time a new South Korean President is sworn in, as just happened in February.

Many think it is really about Kim Jong Un trying to convince the older generals that he is a tough guy and will continue to give the army prominence as part of the "military first" policy of his father, Kim Jong Il.

To give you an idea what preoccupies South Koreans besides North Korea, just look at the Korea Times, one of the two English-language newspapers of Korea: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp. You will see that the government is making changes in education plans for 2016, giving more services for children of interracial (namely Koreans with non-Korean) families, and dealing with widespread fraud in sports and finances (match-fixing in basketball and stock price rigging).

[Myree]

This proud stand reminds me of Psalm 2:2 where "the kings of earth take their stand. And high officials themselves have massed together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one." This pride will be their downfall, and they reflect the ruler of this world.

This news came up as "breaking news" at the top of my homepage. It will be interesting to see if there is a response.

Keep safe, and have a safe trip to Oz.

[LuanaGlobal]

Have a safe journey Brother and Sister Metz.

[50gumbys]

Isn't it amazing what people can get "used" to? As humans, we are adaptable!

Another sister and myself visited Israel in the 90's and stayed with witnesses along the way.

One apartment building housed mostly witnesses in Bethlehem.

A brother and sister from Scandinavia had moved there to serve where the need is greater.

When we visited them, they had the news on TV.

The brother said - we can watch the war on TV - OR - we can look out the window!

(hmm - a war in stereo?)

The next day the brothers hustled us out of Bethlehem (after trying a number of streets that were blocked off) while we heard gunfire around us.

Wow - and they just keep on serving Jehovah.

[LeslieDean]

It makes my heart swell with pride to know that our brothers and sisters serve with integrity under such hostile conditions! And for the sisters here on this board that feel they are living in war like conditions on the home front! My prayers and love I send each night to everyone the world over!

[50gumbys]

I re-read my post and I want you to know that in no way am I suggesting you stay where you are!

I know of visiting families in Israel who have left.

And none of us are bullet-proof.

[clez]

just wondering where in Australia you are going Daniel

I am in Adelaide and at one time was attending the korean group we had a korean brother staying with us for 18 months