July 22, 2009 - Seoul, South Korea

"Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
..., mountain momma
Take me home, country roads"
~John Denver

Although this trip was short, I'm ready to go home to see my new roof, completed bathroom remodel, and cuddle with Jackson.

As we drive to the airport, reflections on Korea's education, modernization, and current military conflicts float through my mind.

Education
Korea has a national curriculum, resulting in grade-level teachers teaching the exact same lesson across the country, on the same day. Teachers change positions every 2-3 years in order to not become stagnant.
+ Almost 100% enrollment of children in elementary school
+ Most Special Education students don't receive an education
+ 15% high school drop-out rate

And, there are 222 required school days per school year (includes Saturday). Korea has no natural resources, only human resources - this is where the national budget is channeled.

Modernization
Korea has experienced the quickest Industrial Revolution in the world - from a developing society to a technologically advanced power in less than 20 years. 50 years ago the streets were congested with oxen and wheeled carts. Now at the center of Seoul, massive digitized TV screen advertisements hypnotize the eye.

Military Conflicts
Today Hillary Clinton condemned Burma for their involvement in arms trading with North Korea. I'm reminded of the U.S. refusal to sign the United Nations Ottawa Treaty banning the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of landmines. With persisting military defenses along the 38th parallel, the U.S. continues to employ self-detonating landmine devices throughout the DMZ, in case of a North Korea invasion.

Ironically, due to limited human access in the DMZ, the natural area has become a relatively undisturbed ecological anomaly, since it's creation in 1953. Paradise resulting from military and political chaos.