Cautioned by recent political unrest, we ventured on a Japanese style holiday to neighbouring Seoul, South Korea. Only weeks earlier, a provocative act by North Korea left four South Koreans dead, victims of the North flexing their muscles and firing off a bomb to a quiet seaside village in South Korea. Of course, we were abhored and worried by this event. In March 2010, the North also bombed a South Korean sea ship. Unrest seems to be building. We have learned a lot about the region. Japan's occupation of Korea, the Korean war, China watching, it's influence and control. We speculate and discuss the current events with our Korean friends. Will it be OK to travel to Korea at this time? It becomes apparent that the people of the South live with continuous aggravation from the North. Four tunnels have been found, dug through the demilitarized zone since the war. (The DMZ is about 4 kilometres wide. It is almost 60 year since the war. Due to lack of human impact is now a haven for wildlife). One Korean friends' house is only 5 minutes drive to the DMZ. She can see North Korea from her home. It is difficult for us to imagine a life like that, living a normal life so close to another world, a place that possesses a threat to one's own safety on any given day. We briefly considered cancelling our trip to Korea, why would we venture to an unsafe part of the world?
We were encouraged by a special Japanese 7.30 report style broadcast. It was a very timely and reassuring message. It was clearly stated that now is not a good time for anymore attacks from the North on the South. There will be pressure from China on the North to refrain from attacks. This is due to the Chinese Premier; Wen Jiabao imminent visit to see the USA President; Barack Obama. Local commentary suggests that the Chinese do not want any local unrest whilst they negotiate their own wishes with the Americans.
Comforted by this and our Korean friends advice we pack our bags and head for the airport.
Seoul is absolutely freezing, -11C, but still sunny! We cannot walk around town as anticipated, instead hailing taxis from one corner to the next, they are cheap and convenient. The Koreans are lively and happy, the city is filled with colour, interesting design within complicated patterns, lively street life and spirited conversations. We eat kimchi and many other spicy foods, a first since leaving Australia. We are so close to Japan but feel that we are on the other side of the world. How can two nations be so close and yet so different?
