Thoughts from an American Living in Korea in the time of Trump and Kim Jong-Un

Today North Korea claimed they successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, that when used in conjunction with a long-range missile could potentially reach the United States. This is the sixth test by North Korea, the last one was in September 2016.

I came to South Korea to teach English two weeks ago. Yes, I still came, along with 8 other Americans and Canadians. The ninth teacher backed out the day before and one can only assume it had something to do with the situation to the North, confirming what the Foreign Staff Academic Coordinator told me - that she has seen a steep decline in applicants in recent months. I had quit my job, sold my car and all my material possessions other than those that would fit in 2 suitcases, set to move abroad when I accepted this teaching position more than two months ago. In South Korea, foreign English teachers are paid well - housing is covered by the school – and cost of living in relatively cheap. I was looking forward to travelling while at the same time saving money. There was no way I wasn’t going. The week before I was set to leave my life in California, the North Korea/Trump machismoism was at it’s peak; every day the media was covering North Korea as if an attack was imminent. Then Charlottesville happened, and North Korea was no longer news, which made it easier to come here for myself, my parents, family and friends who all expressed their concern.

I did some research, or as much as I could, before I flew across the world to live right next door to arguably(?) the craziest, most unpredictable and most powerful (by this I mean the lack of checks on his power from inside his country, no one tells him no) head of state in the world. I spoke to a few people I know who either had lived or are currently living in South Korea and a friend who is living in Japan. I wanted someone to tell me “come on over, it’s fine!” But I got the same reply, “no one here is really worried, they’ve seen it before, but those two (Kim Jong Un and Trump) are crazy and unpredictable so I guess no one really knows [shrug].” With no one swaying me one way or the other, I followed through with my commitment, got on the plane and here I am.

I do worry. Every time I hear the Associated Press alert on my phone I hope it isn’t about North Korea, but the majority of my time here it has been. My worry stems not from North Korea bombing their neighbors to the South, but an accidental explosion during one of their tests or the United States bombing Pyongyang. I’ve taken note of the gas mask stockpiles found in every subway station, and always know where the nearest one is, just in case I need to run there. I’ve researched the blast radius of a hydrogen bomb (A 1-megaton hydrogen bomb dropped on the earth’s surface has an initial blast radius of no more than 10 miles, with fallout reaching up to 250 miles. A 25-megaton hydrogen bomb exploded in the air can cause significant damage up to 40 miles). I live 121 miles from Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, and 272 miles from Punggye-ri, where the testing site is located.

But what am I to do? Abandon this incredible opportunity because of the possibility something may happen on the peninsula? Do I pack up, go somewhere else, or back home to what? For what? Because of maybe? It just doesn’t feel right, or necessary. It is a weird situation to be in, hearing what is happening to the North, knowing what (usually fearmongering) news and information my family and friends are receiving stateside, and living here where people on the street, at the market, in school don’t seem phased. Their life goes on, and so does mine, regardless of a maybe, a chance, a possibility of something happening.