American Spring Break Horror Book

Chapter nine

South Korea, an East Asian country on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world's most heavily militarized borders with North Korea. It is renowned for its lush, mountainous countryside filled with cherry trees and ancient Buddhist temples, its coastal fishing communities, subtropical islands, and high-tech cities like the capital, Seoul. It is the fourth-largest economy in Asia and the tenth-largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP. In just a few generations, South Korea went from being an underprivileged nation to a developed, high-income one, which is remarkable.

History of South Korea

The formal beginning of South Korea's history was the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. Despite being the same people and located on the same peninsula, South Korea and North Korea are distinct countries. In 1945, with the close of World War II, Korea was administratively divided. As Japan ruled Korea during World War II, Korea was officially belligerent against the Allies because it was Japanese territory. Japan's unconditional surrender resulted in Korea's division into two occupation zones (similar to Germany's four zones), with the United States administering the territory south of the 38th parallel and the Soviet Union controlling the area north of the 38th parallel. This division was intended to be temporary (as it was in Germany), and the original intention was to return a unified Korea to its people once the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and China had established a single government for the peninsula.

Due to their differing perspectives, the two sides could not agree on establishing a joint trusteeship over Korea. In 1948, this resulted in the formation of two governments with opposing ideologies: the Communist-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the West-aligned First Republic of Korea – each claiming to be the legitimate government of the entire Korean peninsula. On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began. The Korean Demilitarized Zone separated the two arms, and the two different administrations stabilized into the current North and South Korean governmental entities. The conflict concluded on July 27, 1953, with the status quo of 1948 reinstated, as neither the DPRK nor the First Republic had been able to take the other's side of the split Korean peninsula.

The ensuing history of South Korea is characterized by periods of democratic and autocratic government. Conventionally, civilian governments are numbered from the First Republic of Syngman Rhee to the current Sixth Republic. Before its demise in 1960, the First Republic, which was undoubtedly democratic at its founding (albeit preceded by severe anti-communist and anti-socialist purges), became increasingly dictatorial. Strongly democratic, the Second Republic was ousted in less than a year and replaced by an autocratic military administration. Although officially democratic, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics are usually seen as continuations of military government. With the advent of the Sixth Republic, the country has become a liberal democracy.

South Korea has experienced tremendous educational, business, and cultural growth. Since the 1960s, the country has transformed from one poorest in Asia to one of the world's wealthiest. The expansion of education, especially at the tertiary level, has been phenomenal. Along with Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, it is considered one of the "Four Tigers" of growing Asian states. The Republic of Korea was formally created on August 15, 1948, with Syngman Rhee as its first president. With Rhee’s government's foundation, legal sovereignty was transferred. On September 9, 1948, Kim Il-sung announced a communist government, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). However, on December 12, 1948, the Third General Assembly of the United Nations recognized the Republic of Korea as the sole legitimate government of Korea by resolution 195. In 1946, the North implemented land reforms by seizing private property, Japanese and pro-Japanese infrastructure, and factories and transferring them to state hands. In June 1949, land reform was finally enacted in the South after a growing demand for it. Large landholding Koreans were required to sell the majority of their land. Approximately 40% of all agricultural households became small proprietors. Due to the granting of preemptive rights to those who had relations with landowners before independence, however, several pro-Japanese parties secured or held property.

The relationship between the two Koreas grew increasingly adversarial as the country became more divided. As a result of the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1948, North Korea exerted pressure on the South to expel U.S. forces, but Rhee sought to align his government with the United States and against both North Korea and Japan. There were discussions regarding normalizing relations with Japan, but little was accomplished. In the meantime, the government received massive aid from the United States, in amounts that sometimes approached the national budget. The nationalist government also maintained numerous practices of the U.S. military government. In 1948, the Rhee government suppressed military uprisings on the islands of Jeju, Suncheon, and Yeosu. Approximately 14,000 to 60,000 individuals were murdered in all combat during the revolt and its repression. Notable was the intolerance of opposition by President Rhee's regime. In 1948, the arrest and conviction for communist plotting of the future president of South Korea, Park Chung-hee, was a well-known example of this. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, the Korean wave has become an influential global phenomenon, significantly impacting modern cultures, the music business, the film industry, the television industry, and numerous behavioral elements of people worldwide. It is among the reasons the twelve friends decide to visit the country. Many consider South Korea a significant economic and industrial country with products traded worldwide. For instance, in 1988, South Korea hosted the Olympics, and in 2002, it co-hosted the World Cup with Japan, making it attractive to tourists.

Searching for an apartment for the twelve friends has been an uphill task for Uncle Chan Yeol. Amber Ray’s mother, Nina, introduced him to the troop. Everyone loved him despite having never met him before. Uncle Chan Yeol was very kind to the twelve friends and was looking forward to meeting them. The previous days had been tiresome. He was moving up and down in search of a suitable apartment for them. They were pretty demanding and strict. He couldn’t abandon the responsibility because he wanted to please his niece, Amber Ray. He felt it for them as in the previous decades, they had been handling their ailing father, who had been in a severe accident, rendering him motionless. He was obliged to do it like no one’s business. Sometimes, he would miss spending time with his family just to run errands the twelve friends wanted. The kind of specific description they wanted wasn’t an easy one to find.

The latest picture caught everyone's attention. The troops loved the ambiance of the surrounding compound. Every day, they would come up with something different, making it hard for him to settle on one. The apartment’s name was Gangseo- GU, and it is located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea. The modern apartment looked cozy and warm. The compound was spacious enough with a swimming pool, an operational football pitch, the availability of WI-FI, and large rooms to accommodate the twelve friends. There was a refreshing balcony, two bathrooms, four bedrooms, and a great dining area. It was proof that they would be enjoying their vacation in South Korea. However, Mr. Khan wasn’t pleased with the arrangement. He complained that the apartment looked very expensive. Mr. Khan began to suspect the kind of life their children had chosen to live in South Korea. For a moment, he felt there was something up their sleeve. He was equally moved by how the majority managed to convince their parents because there were so many red flags about their stay in Seoul city. He promised to investigate without raising eyebrows with the rest of the parents.

Uncle Chan Yeol confirmed that the neighboring estate was civil and tranquil, and they had nothing to worry about. Their parents wanted a neat and private environment in South Korea for fear of their children indulging in unlawful activities. They were impressed by the photos. To some, they envied their children. Luckily, the apartment was close to the train station, where they sometimes used public transportation to various destinations within the city. It was also close to the parks that they were planning to visit. It was within reach of a supermarket, restaurants, and hotels.

Additionally, the apartment’s management allowed tourists to come along with their pets. Unfortunately, none of them had one. They loved everything about the apartment. The majority of their parents had great faith in the presence of Uncle Chan Yeol in South Korea. After confirming with Uncle Chan Yeol, their parents contacted him to book the apartment as they traveled the following morning. The proximity of the condo mattered a lot to them. They were pleased to have found one that suited their demands. They could not wait to share a glimpse of the photos with their parents. They weren’t sure and comfortable but had to bury their worries at some point. The twelve friends had already created a bucket list. It included the following haunted sites; the Gonjam Psychiatric Hospital, Yeongdoek Haunted House, Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park, The Independence Gate, The Han River, Yongin Village, and Jeju Island.

Planning the vacation to South Korea required much time, something the troop was unaware of. It was impossible to organize without the help of their parents. They played a significant role in helping them purchase items to be used while in South Korea. On a material day, some of them still had not parked everything. They had no one to blame for that mess. Time was running fast; they had to depart within one hour to the airport. They all admitted that the whole process was time-consuming and involved numerous preparations. Numerous telephone calls were made, and money was expended. The vacation to South Korea was longer, and so was the planning. They anticipated having a great holiday ahead. It was no doubt they would enjoy it. Numerous questions arose when the idea to travel to South Korea arose. “Where do we begin?” they wondered in fear. “What is our initial step? “They questioned themselves, and sometimes they would go to the extent of using Google Search. Strangely, Google Search provided a lot of insightful information.

They proceeded with the travel plans when their parents gave them the okay. The process was indeed overwhelming in appearance. The most challenging part was determining how to put everything together. Luckily, it became easier as time passed. Another hurdle was choosing the trip’s location and deciding who would accompany us. Then select the length of your stay in South Korea and the amount of money to be used. We agreed to use the funds in our kitty for any emergency while in South Korea. Most of our needs were catered for by our parents. John Paul raised the idea claiming that we never know what could occur, and it's safer to have additional cash on hand in case you need it. We gladly bought John Paul’s because he is always sensible.

Coming from different places, we all meet at the Ohio International airport. Some arrived earlier for fear of being left behind by the plane. The anxiety was high, and our parents helped us during the anticipation. We laughed, cried, and hugged our parents as they went back. The feeling was different. A good number of us had never had such an opportunity. It was an outstanding achievement for us. We had already seen the kind of country we were to visit on the internet. It was just a matter of confirmation. Our parents begged us to be good children. We were guilty but had to quench the desire to visit those sites. We hoped that we would be safer in South Korea.

After fourteen hours on board, we safely touched down at Incheon international airport. We were told that landing at night was dangerous. We were scared but had to trust the pilot for a safe flight. In the beginning, we chatted a lot among oats adjacent. However, we fell asleep mid-way and were awoken by the noise at the airport. “Alas! Don’t tell me we are in South Korea. “Sandra Roberts sitting next to her brother Della Roberts lamented. “Sure, we have touched down.” A stranger’s voice in the back seat responded. We had to take a picture of the twelve of us in the place before alighting. “Memories are made of such. “Bridget Vergara said as she posed for several more photos. The airplane cabin was patient enough with us. We appreciated him as we left. He squeezed himself to be in a number among the images we had. He cracked our ribs with his funny comments before posing for the pictures. “Uncle Chan Yeol, Uncle Chan!” Amber Ray shouted as we moved closer to the exit way. “Excuse me, young girl,” a middle-aged lady spoke to Amber Ray. She pointed at some warnings in the opposite direction.“OBSERVE SILENCE.” We all looked lost. “Are you looking for someone?” another guide inquired. “Oh, yeah.” Jun Suravi replied excitedly. Suddenly, a slim man moves closer to the troop. He looked awkward in his appearance. He smiled away, and Katrina smiled at him, making Damian Pena feel jealous. “Whom are you smiling to?” Damian questioned authoritatively. “Nothing, no one,” Katrina responds suspiciously. “How long are we going to wait for Uncle Chan Yeol?” John Paul questions impatiently. “I have to confess, guys.” Amber Rays interjects. “And what could that be?” Henry Sayo asks fearfully. “It’s nothing serious.” Amber Ray excuses herself. Della Robert, Hailey Beryl, and Laura Martins are glued to admiring the city. The flashlights from far make it look beautiful. They were not worried about the absence of Uncle Chan Yeol. Parents began calling to find out how they were fairing. It was almost three hours later, yet Uncle Chan Yeol had not arrived.

“Bring it on,” Damian tells her. “Honestly, I can’t remember how my uncle looks.” She said suggestively. Worry fills their eyes. They can’t imagine being lost in a new country with all the anticipation they had planned for. “I hope we haven’t been duped.” Sandra Roberts says. As soon as Amber Ray grabs her phone to inform her mother, Nina, of the absence of Uncle Chan Yeol, a voice rusty voice greets them. They almost took to their heels. “Uncle Chan is here!” the spokesperson said. The troop couldn’t hide their joy. They screamed in awe as they jumped to hug him. He apologized for coming late. They were happy to meet Uncle Chan Yeol in person. There was a slight variance between the person they chatted with a while back and the one they met. Uncle Chan was more lively and charming. News reached each of the parents of their safe arrival. At least they could catch some sleep. They promised to speak the next day because it was late at night—a thirty-minute drive from the airport to Seoul city, where an apartment had been booked. Despite having jet lag, they talked the whole night, happy about their vacation in South Korea. Still, they discussed the folklore they learned a few days before traveling. On arrival at Gangseo – GU, the apartment’s appearance blew them away. It was massive and so picturesque. The apartment was fully furnished, not more or less than what Uncle Chan Yeol had shared. They were impressed by what they saw. Let us catch some sleep. "Tomorrow is another day,” Sandra begs her friends as Katrina switches off the light.