I don't know how much coverage this gets in your American media, but it's obviously on the front page everyday here in South Korea. This whole business started on one of our Friday (I think) beer and chicken delivery nights when breaking news came on the TV reporting that a warship, the Cheonan was sinking in the Yellow Sea. That was March 26th. It was pretty quiet until the investigation team came on TV to blame the North.

In the past week or two, the situation has been escalating. I got an email from the Canadian Embassy telling me that the danger level has not changed, but just in case, they sent evacuation and emergency preparedness information. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea...e.aspx?lang=eng

Important things:

- Four North Korean subs disappear from satellite imgery http://bit.ly/dtXbnP (Yonhap News)

- North Korean soldiers told to get ready for combat http://bit.ly/96PV4R (Chosun Ilbo)

- North Korea plans to cancel non-aggression agreement http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10160187.stm (BBC)

- Seoul to resume propaganda broadcasts with huge speakers along the DMZ - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100525/ap_on_...orea_ship_sinks

Here's the email:

Koreans don't really worry about war anymore.

The North has been posturing for years. Neither government actually wants a war. Especially the North. They couldn't afford it. Also, Kim Jong-Il is dying, and he is trying to slide his son into position as a legitimate military leader. This can't be done unless South Korean blood has been drawn. They are maneuvering their Navy like they are going to attack, and setting up along the DMZ to give a perception of firepower. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kim Jong-Il silently passes the helm over to one of his sons before this is over.

The South / USFK are also posturing by having Naval exercises and live-fire exercises near the DMZ. The South Korean government doesn't want to put up with the bullshit anymore, so they need to remind the North (and the citizens of the South) that the combined firepower of the the forces could level Pyongyang in an evening.

Many Koreans also feel that the result of this investigation also coincides too coincidentally with the election in June. If Lee Myung-bak's (the President) party can diffuse the situation, and show enough strength in the face of adversity, it will give them a lot of credibility. Further, to most citizens the US Army is not welcome in Korea, and they also need an event which will support their cause in the face of plans to scale back the troop size and hand over full control to the South Korean government.


Military

Every Korean male must complete two years of military service before they turn thirty. So, yes everyone is trained. Further, every year (up to a certain age), men must return for compulsory training. Every man is a reserve.

When this training is happening, flags go up all along major streets which read "민방위" - Civil Defense. It reminds people of their safety. Also, on some bridges, or at the entrance to certain districts or "Gu" (Japanese, -ku) there are flags which mark this location as being loyal to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in case of war.

Many of the sailors who served on the Cheonan were young men (18-30) serving their military service.

Shelters + Emergency plans

Designated shelters exist all over Korea and are marked by signs that say "대피소" (dae-pi-so). This includes all underground subway stations. I am sure there are evacuation procedures which I don't know about. Every 6 months or so, they have earthquake drills which simultaneously throughout Seoul cars are stopped, sirens go off, and police commanders take over the radio. I am sure this system would be used in wartime.

Also..

There is a hotline, 111, which you call if you suspect someone is a spy or a threat to national security. It scrolls every so often on the subway displays.

Something I missed? I don't know everything, and I will ask about the emergency plans.

Yeah. I hear it is generally served after the first year of university. Also, recently I have learned that you cannot defer after you turn 28, because Rain has recently received a draft notice, but got a special exception, so he can defer it for one more year.

Oh there will be no war! It's politics, HEDO. Let me know what's going on with your applying.

I am here on a secret mission! You will never know! Unless you come here and I will tell you.

Addressing the title, I wanted to make a catchy headline..

Actually, since the election is over, and the President's party lost a lot of power, it turns out the plan for using War to help them gain power has failed..