I'm Safe

I have received a lot of e-mails and Facebook messages concerned about my safety.  I just received this e-mail from Reuben (one of the co-founders of Adventure Teaching who I know personally and who lives in the same building as many of my friends) and I also registered with the U.S. Embassy out here.  Pray that nothing more happens!

Greetings,

By now you are likely aware of the incident that happened off the West Coast of South Korea yesterday (http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/nkorea.skorea.military.fire/index.html?hpt=T1). ; We wanted to send out an update because your safety is always our #1 priority, and remember much of the AT team is living in Korea as well.

Many you have experienced several of North Korea's instigation acts over the past few months which are always unsettling while living abroad.  This last act is no exception.  At the current time, no official travel warnings or citizen alerts have been issued by the US or Canadian embassies.  We monitor the US and Canadian embassy simply because they have the most infrastructure in Korea. The embassies are the best barometer out there for assessing the severity of the act and the proposed danger of the current environment.  Here are links to the most recent US statements issued:  

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/p_nk_112310.html and http://seoul.usembassy.gov/p_emb_112310.html

The United Kingdom's Statement was the most specific:

On 23 November, the South Korean Ministry of National Defence reported that North Korea had fired a number of artillery shells across the western inter-Korean maritime border, with some landing on the island of Yeonpyeong, apparently causing casualties. We advise against travel to Yeonpyeong which can only be accessed by civilian ferry from Incheon. There is no substantially increased risk or danger to those living in or travelling to other areas of South Korea as a result of this incident. However, you are advised to continue monitoring news reports.

Currently, there doesn't appear to be a need for action, other than not visiting Yeonpyeong, but it is always wise to register with your embassy as they issue warnings to registered citizens and also make arrangements for evacuation if ever necessary.  We recommend familiarizing yourself with your embassy's system.

Here are some useful links:

American Embassy Watch: http://seoul.usembassy.gov/acs_american_citizen_services.html
Canadian Embassy Watch: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/EmergMsg%20KIMMR.aspx?lang=en

United Kingdom Embassy: http://ukinrok.fco.gov.uk/en/ 

We will of course be monitoring this situation very closely.  Like you, we hope that this event passes much like the last few, without any more escalation. 

Again, we highly recommend registering with your embassy if you haven't already done so.

Regards,

Reuben