Tuesday, 23 November 2010

I'm going to sleep soon, and I'm not freaking out anymore.

South Korean officials seem more concerned with how the incident will affect the economy/stock markets than with any future conflict escalation.

No one I talk to in Seoul is worried about war breaking out. It's a strategy by Kim Jong-Il, they think, to convince South Korea and the UN to give North Korea the money and food aid that they received in the past. It's an overt attack, which makes it different, but my co-workers seem to perceive it in the same light as they view the sinking of the South Korean ship (which was probably blown up by North Korea, but North Korea never admitted it): a reason to hate Kim Jong-Il and be angry at the North Korean government/army, but not enough reason to go to war.

South Korea usually thinks that foreign news agencies (read: US news agencies) always blow North Korean actions out of proportion, so bear that in mind. Here's an article by the Korean Times and another article by the Korean Times and here are some quotes from Seoul residents and here is a site where you can vote on whether you think the conflict will escalate.

I'm off to bed, it's been an emotional day. If you want to follow what the news is in Seoul or what I'm thinking about this whole thing, I plan to keep this blog updated really regularly so everyone continues to know what's going on with me. Have a peaceful day. Goodnight.

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