North Korea topic

I few moments ago I heard a loud explosion and children screaming.

But this time, it's not North Korea. It's storming outside, complete with loud explosions of thunder, and little children are outside playing in the rain, squeeling and screaming as they splash through puddles.

I had a request to update the blog on the feelings about North Korea over here. I really don't hear much about it except from people back home (Columbus) about it. But here are some of the thoughts:

Potential travelers- A letter sent out to my parents from the group leading their tour in Korea stated that the US Embassy has not issued any travel warnings for those entering South Korea. It also said that the situation seems more volatile for those who are "just now" paying attention than for those who have had their ear to the ground for longer. The letter basically said that it's no more dangerous today than it was six months ago or a year ago.

Teachers- Most are not worried and feel that Kim Jong Il (KJI) is all talk. There are some, like myself, who have heard rumors about his failing health and are somewhat worried that he'll go for it. It seems he's been wanting to nuke South Korea for a while. And while it would not be a smart move on his part since the US would come to defend S.Korea, he could be going for a last Hail Mary move with the reasoning that he won't have to deal with the consequences (because he'd be dead). That may be an extreme point of view and not one largely shared, but "sane" is not one of the more common attributed characteristics of KJI. But most teachers agree that it would be a stupid move on his part and that he knows this. If he were to bomb South Korea, he'd also be bombing many American citizens, not to mention citizens hailing from many other countries. And we have a strong presence in South Korea (the military). The most common opinion is that North Korea would be in huge trouble and they know it. So most teachers are more worried about getting paid for their "forced" vacation (or "swine flu vacation) than KJI.

My sister- Unkyung says she isn't any more worried now than she was before. She says she thinks that North Korea is just talking and threatening as a kind of trantrum. "They are like babies," she said. "They say 'Help us, help us! Give us food! Give us Help' but now we don't give help." Then she described how the former S.Korean president gave in to these pleas for help and said that the new president, Lee Myubng-bak, has decided to stop giving aid to the North Koreans. That is why, she says, North Korea is so intent on threatening the lives of South Koreans. But again, she doesn't seem too worried.