[April Wallace]

Jane, I'm in the same boat. I hadn't realized the sheer numbers in terms of the devestation. It's also no wonder that North Korea could spread such anti-American sentiment and distrust after America leveled its cities. And the long term human consequences that are attached to these numbers are so critical in understanding. 

I also hadn't realized that North Korea bounced back quicker than South Korea. And maybe this is because of only studying the Korean War through the lens of US History, as you stated. I have always just had in my mind South Korea being the much more technologically and economically advanced of the two countries. But that obviously hadn't always been the case. 

[April Wallace]

These are all great points. Certainly, creating a cult of personality for Kim II Sung starts early and in a child's education. There is a National Geographic documentary out there that follows an Nepalese eye doctor that is allowed to enter the country and perform cataract surgery for over a thousand North Koreans. I remember by the end of the film, some had gone almost blind or had their eyesight seriously imparied, and now they could see again. Rather than praising the doctor, they repeatedly praised the leader (I believe it was Kim-Jong-il at the time) for restoring their eyesight. One eldery man even claimed he would take up arms and kill every American that he could. The reporter made a point that after generations of indoctrination and authoritation rule - that there might not be a difference between true belief and fear. 

[April Wallace]

Great introduction into this region. Like some of my other peers, I hadn't realized the substantial role of women in Korean culture. In Minnesota, we have a standard regarding the status of women around the world. This would be interesting to compare the Korean woman's experience to that of women in the United States or in other cultures around the world. 

[April Wallace]

Hello, my name is April Wallace. I am located in Luverne, Minnesota. I have taught 8th grade Geography and High School Human Geography at Luverne for the last six years. I am looking forward to taking this course to expand my knowledge on this region of the world and to incorporate the information into my classes.

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