On May 18th, 1980 a city called Gwangju revolted against the dictatorship of the "president." The military swept in and slaughtered many, eventually regaining control. It was only twenty four years ago.... Much has changed in Korea since then but possible instability haunts the nation.

Last night, artillery shells boomed over the university campus, helicopters flew somewhere in the night and men in camouflage materialized on the roadside for a moment before melting off into the darkness once again. A mock battle was being fought and the Korean countryside was the appropriate battle ground. Today military cargo planes were making runs dropping paratroopers who floated like weird green mushrooms through the grey skies. Groups of military men were guarding the country roads, saluting the passing military jeeps carrying their superior officers.

It has become rather normal, this frequent military presence. Tanks rumble by my apartment at five in the morning sounding like an airplane, engines at full throttle inching down the runway. Teaching PE and having twenty men appear out of the forest, faces painted, guns held ready. Being trapped behind a slow moving long military convoy on a highway, just wanting to pass them all and be done with it.

But I forget why they are there. Their presence begins to seem excessive and their constant preparation like a case of paranoia. Life seems stable, we all live like it is. Koreans and I alike live in happy oblivion of our precarious position. In an instant the political atmosphere could change, riots could turn violent, the military could sweep in to regain control. In a blink, all security would be stripped away. Truthfully, I would not be surprised. Unaware we live our lives yet we sense some vague instability that alerts us to what could take place. The military with their drills, tanks and troops does not allow us to completely forget.