So, what is the likelihood that a teacher placement will happen close the North Korean border? I dont know how many of you listen to NPR but it looks like N. K> plans to get more aggressive with South Koreans at the border and even more volatiile with North Koreans seeking to cross over. Rather than list the otricities here which have occured thus far, I'd rather find out what the teaching experience is like for people there now and if anyone considers the NK threat serious as the climate appears to reddening in the media. I'm looking to travel there next year; perhaps by that time it will be off limits for American and Western travellers.

Any opinions + experiences thus far?

Not that personally I think it matters all that much....at 120 miles away from the North Korean border, somewhere around Seoul would be the closest placement I could imagine. When you fly into Incheon, you'll only be 113 miles away from Pyongyang.  Seems I would have heard a story already about someone who knew someone with a teaching job teetering on the edge of North Korea?  Maybe they offer really good hazard pay?  Put it this way, the Cheonan was sunk on the exact day I arrived in South Korea.   My father has finally stopped asking me about North Korea and how people are acting according to what he's seen on the news in the US. Not that there'd really be anywhere for them to build a bomb shelter anyhow, no Korean I've ever asked has been that worried about it.  I haven't noticed anyone stockpiling food and weapons (guns are illegal anyhow). Not exactly an environment of fear from the perspective of other foreigners or Koreans?

Here's South Korea's "number one English news source":

http://www.koreaherald.com/

(you can check out the North Korea section for yourself. I haven't honestly done it really but it's there.)  

Here's a distance calculator to give you some perspective of where you're at.  If you feel safer in Pusan (also called Busan) you're still only 324 miles away from Pyongyang!

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distances.html?n=235

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distances.html?n=205

My last home in the states was in Albuquerque, just 232 miles away from Ciudad Juárez 'Murder City'.....http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/20/1589618/danger-zone-crime-in-juarez-drives.html

There are so many cities in the USA that are are just as bad as any war zone http://detroit.blogs.time.com/2010/04/15/the-worlds-most-dangerous-cities/

Back to your original question, the "tension with North Korea" doesn't seem to bother people that much.  

In my opinion anyhow, it doesn't matter that much where you are, there's a possibility of man made or natural calamity.  The most fear I feel on a regular basis is when I'm in a taxi.  At least 65% of South Korean taxi drivers are complete psychos who drive like they're on a murder/suicide mission.  

Hope that helps?  

it does! thanks again for the feedback

I wont be gettin a taxi so