If I lived in Seoul, S. Korea I would be buying a one-way plane ticket...

[NNN0LHI]

...to somewhere. I would bring anything of any value along with me. I would transfer my money out of the country too. Just in case.

Don

[Avalux]

1. Yeah, I agree. I worry about our troops there -

visited Seoul and Osan AFB about 8 years ago. Osan had an "exercise" while I was there - a siren went off in the middle of the night and everyone had three minutes to get their gear on and get to their posts. They are constantly drilling and preparing for the possibility of a missile hitting them. Scared the crap out of me. I also visited the DMZ and that scared the crap outta me too.

I can just imagine what's going on at Osan and the DMZ now.

[Ladydawnelle]

9. I was stationed in S. Korea for 2 yrs

The Indianhead Division had monthly (unannounced) drills. I had to run 3 miles up hill back to my barracks from the VILLE one night at about 2am. Luckily it wasn't mid winter! Back then they had marshall law too so you couldn't hail a cab back to base. It sucked.

I've done the dmz tour many times as well (as a military journalist) ............ I don't think they'll invade personally.

The ROK Army is one of the toughest on the planet. As I have witnessed!

N Korea is starving. They wouldn't fight (on the ground) for long. imo. Plus it's getting pretty chilly up that way by now.

Their leader however is certifiable! Right up there with the likes of our OWN menace! Maybe even a bit worse as NO ONE challenges him w/out goin to jail or being shot. Ok so he's worse.

[MADem]

10. Hey, preparedness is key. You train for the worst and hope for the best

It's a never-ending cycle in that and other theaters of responsibility--this particular exercise is a biggie over that way: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/ulchi-focus-lens.htm

The exercise combines the Republic of Korea’s annual National Mobilization Field Training Exercise "Ulchi" with the annual theater level Command Post Exercise "Focus Lens." The scenario of the exercise is a coordinated land, sea and air attack by conventional forces against friendly forces on the Korean peninsula. Ulchi Focus Lens is a computer-based war game exercise with few field activities. Ulchi Focus Lens is the world's largest dynamic, simulation-driven battle staff training exercise. The target training audience is corp-level (or service equivalent) battle staffs and higher. UFL is designed to train the Battle Staffs of CFC and its component command's staffs. The simulations used are designed to train procedures for the new staff, and are not analytical. The simulation architecture includes the Air Force model (AWSIM), the Army model (CBS), the Navy model (RESA) and the Marine model (MTAWS) lashed together, and sharing common forces, targets and Battle Damage Assessments (BDA).

The purpose of UFL is to exercise joint and combined plans and procedures associated with the execution of the OPLAN for the defense of the Republic of Korea. The focus is on the strategic, operational, and tactical aspects of military operations on the Korean Peninsula; and demonstrates US resolve to support the ROK against external aggression while improving US/ROK combat readiness and interoperability. This joint and combined political-military training exercise emphasizes flexible deterrent options, ROK mobilization, U.S. reinforcement, and synchronization of deep, close, and rear battles.

The Ulchi Focus Lens Exercise is a comprehensive command post exercise (CPX), designed to enhance the conduct of war and specific warfare capabilities as well as to ensure a mastery of the procedures for specific warfare fighting capabilities. The exercise has been performed annually since its inception in 1976. It is the combination of the Focus Lens Exercise, which has been conducted under the control of the United Nations Command since 1954, and the Ulchi Exercise that has been held by the ROK since the attempted raid on the Blue House on January 21, 1968.

During the Ulchi Focus Lens Exercise, the ROK government's crisis management and ROK-US combined crisis management processes during the early stages of war are depicted through various situations from each operational phase. ...

I remember a biggie called TEAM SPIRIT that upset the daily routine...think they may have cancelled that one a few years back; not sure if they've started it up again or not.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. You don't think Kim would commit suicide, do you?

...because if he launches an atatck on SK, it would be suicidal.

[NNN0LHI]

3. I am more worried about Bush "rapturing" us all than Kim

Thats the truth.

Don

[Cooley Hurd]

4. You have a point, Don...

:scared:

[tigereye]

5. my uncle lived in South Korea for decades

there were many more problems in his lifetime from past fascist S. Korean politicians, than from the North. Currently the South Koreans seem to have a very wise policy of engagemnt with the North, something that we seem unable to do.

[upi402]

6. When the Kim man gets refueling planes

then *I* am moving.

[hlthe2b]

7. I have a medical researcher friend due to move there next month...

with his wife.... I've been trying to reach him, hoping they are at least delaying.. I was in India when Pakistan did one of their tests and a friend of mine was stationed during the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assasinaton... Things can go to hell in a hand basket very quickly... I'd still do short term stints in these areas of the world, but would always have my bags packed, I think....:shrug:

Of course, with Bush* waving the red cloth at all the world's most dangerous "bulls," we may not be much safer here... at least for long.

[Island Blue]

8. My brother (who has lived in Japan on two occasions)

seems to think North Korea would attack Japan before they would South Korea. He says there is a lot of bad blood between the Japanese and Koreans (in general). Unfortunately I feel that our "Dear Leader" and his henchmen will be of no help to anyone in stopping an attack. (If that is in fact what Kim Jung Ill plans to do.)

[Ladydawnelle]

11. Yea they ALL hate the Japanese (or did when I was there)

I am more worried about W invading N Korea than I am of N Korea invading anyone else.

That's THIS government's MANTRA right? I also think CHINA would step in either way. Then we'd be toast. They have sooooooo many foot soldiers they could fight us indefinitely.