http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/ap ... mentpage=1
North Korea warns foreigners to leave South
That statement just seems so divorced from reality. And in most articles, it makes up a couple of paragraphs and the story moves elsewhere.We do not wish harm on foreigners in South Korea should there be a war
I'm not sure how much interest there is in this at home - although I got a nice PM from a regular on this board (thank you for your thoughtful message ) - but I have no intention of going anywhere, certainly not for the time being. The atmosphere in Seoul - I live in the city which is only 40kms south of the DMZ - is still really calm, even if it appears to worsening by the day (media coverage). Restaurants are still packed, schools are open, no-one is rushing to pick up canned goods and there have been no extra 'war preparation' days (normally on the 15th of every month at 2pm the air raid sirens go off and we must make our way, but no one ever does).
I feel really sorry for my parents though. Another phone call today asking me had I read the news. It doesn't seem to matter how often I tell them to calm down, something new comes along.
In December 2011, Kim Jong-il died and that is the only time I have ever seen some form of tension or panic here. People are used to threats, provocations, islands shelled and ships sunk, but a change over of power brings with it so much uncertainty. That uncertainty lasted a few weeks. The sinking of the Cheonan in 2010 and shelling of Yeongpyeong Island was met with a lot of anger and calls for action (economic) and no doubt this will be the same.
Naturally, you don't want to tempt faith, but the KJE and his military generals are simply not interested in going to war. It's suicide. They're not looking to relinquish control of their country. Expect more rhtetoric - "We will turn Seoul into a sea of fire" was first used in 1994 I believe - with mild altercations around the seaboard. Baseball has started, summer is coming......sorry Kim Jong-eun, I'll hang around for a bit longer.
Here's a good piece in the Korea Times today: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/na ... 33580.html