Teaching in Korea: North Korea

When discussing the topic of teaching in Korea, a question I often get is, Are you teaching in North or South Korea?

I sometimes giggle to myself what I hear that question, but then respond, South Korea.

What usually follows is this, Is it safe there? Are you afraid that North Korea will attack and that there will be another war?

The latter is a valid question, since most of my friends and contacts are from the United States and the media there blows things enormously out of proportion. Couple that with political machines that tend to keep the people in the dark and play on their fears, many dont know the history of the Koreas or what the true state of affairs are here.

To begin with, North and South Korea are still at war. The 1950-1953 conflict never officially ended in a peace treaty, but rather an armistice or cease-fire. Since then, the United Nations and the South Korean military have been on alert and routinely practice drills that would repel any would-be invasion from the North.

From time to time, there have been exchanges of fire (aka gun fights) between the two countries in and around the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and in the West Sea. In fact, the most recent exchange of combat related fire took place November 9, 2009. Thats right, only a few days ago (as of this writing). What happened is that a North Korea naval vessel approached and may have crossed the NLL (Norther Limit Line the border that extends from the land into the sea and separates the two countries). South Korean forces responded and fired upon the vessel, causing damage and forcing it to retreat.

One needs to understand that the North Korean regime is somewhat unstable and tries to flex its muscle. However, the South Korean military along with its United Nations allies have better trained troops and hardware. In fact, in ever conflict since the Korean War ended, the North hasnt scored a single victory. In fact, these skirmishes have always been short and forced the North to run away.

That being said, I feel incredibly safe in South Korea. Especially since I live near Seoul. The conflict on Monday made the news, but there was no panic or uprising. Coming to Korea to teach is still safe and I dont see it changing at all. However, if you are someone that worries a great deal about such things, then perhaps Korea isnt the place for you.

Music used with permission from Kevin MacLeod.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Teaching
• South
• Korea
• North
• combat
• war
• conflict
• invasion
• danger
• teaching
• esl
• tefl
• abroad
• worry
• worries

[civilwarcat]

Cool, I just found this video so it answers my question I just put in your last video. Please ignore that question unless your feelings have changed any. Thanks, Nora & Chip aka civilwarcat

[qiranger]

LOL - I was going to refer you to this video too!

[kimian99]

Wahahha I'm in the Philippines and lots of Koreans here...=D

Wahahahah Lee is going home to back to Korea to serve in the Army lol

Good luck ma main man=D

Thanks for the nice video

[qiranger]

Yes, I have a few students visit there. In fact, I'm planning on spending some time there this summer!

Thanks for watching!

[cgkitti]

I get the same 2 questions as you all the time. My response is usually "You can't really visit North Korea,much less live and teach there." My parents were so worried that NK was going to come and attack SK and I'd be in a huge bind being an American and they would purposely come and attack me because of that. Parents... I understand their thought process but we had a few shouting matches about it. And now all I can say is, I feel safer here than I do in the United States...

[qiranger]

Oh yes!

[jamieg1tube]

"I kinda chuckle to myself"...... Nuff said.

[Tcjunior18]

" when people find out that im teaching English" love your Quote punch line....But what you are preaching is Words from Wikipedia! this is a JOKE! HAHAHAHAH!

[cgkitti]

@rosetintedwanderlust Seriously. There's not much to worry about. I feel for your dad, but he's gotta relax!

[rosetintedwanderlust]

@cgkitti sounds like my Dad. We've also had shouting matches about me going to South Korea. I am coming next week to start teaching and my mom told me my Dad is so worried that she thinks he's having anxiety attacks.

[tokee1234567]

@dongsoola you mean unified? it's not like they're under any other country's control. liberation's not the right word here. no one's oppressing anybody

[dongsoola]

well. its going to change one day, when Korea get liberated.

[yeomjiwon]

You know the situaation of S & N exactly.

I am impressed and thank you.