American Spring Break Horror Book

Chapter sixteen

The group of twelve friends has the best times in South Korea. With the remaining two days to leave for Ohio, they can’t stop talking about the experience. On the other end, their parents are waiting anxiously to receive them. It has been a memorable experience for them. Staying away from their homes has helped them relax. They have learned much about Korean folklore, culture, history, and traditions. They were looking forward to a new academic year after refreshing their minds while visiting South Korea. The other reason for visiting South Korea was for educational purposes. They were shocked to realize that Koreans were taught about good morals during ancient times. They challenged themselves to have good character but felt guilty for lying to their parents. It was a great moment for them. The previous day, Uncle Chan Yeol took the troop to experience the culture of Koreans in a village not far away from Seoul city. In the evening, he informed them that he would take them to an exciting island separating North and South Korea the following day. Although he mentions that it had a b****y past, it is a place that most tourists love visiting.

South and North Korean War

One of the largest islands in the Yellow Sea, South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island or Yeonpyeongdo, is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Incheon and 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of the shore of Hwanghae Province, North Korea. More often referred to as Yeonpyeong Island, the largest of the group's seven islands is 7.01 square kilometers (2.71 square miles) and has a population of about 1,300 people. Yeonpyeong is only 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the North Korean shoreline along the Northern Limit Line (NLL). Five island groups, including Yeonpyeong, were included in the 1953 Armistice Agreement that concluded the Korean War. For many years, up until the mid-1990s, North Korea observed the internationally recognized western maritime border. Artillery fire from the North Korean army hit Yeonpyeong-RI and the surrounding area on November 23rd, 2010. Following a Southern military drill in the vicinity, this bombardment occurred. The South used K-9 self-propelled howitzers in response. Some houses and Southern military facilities were damaged, and several structures were set on fire by the bombardment. At least ten people were injured in the attack, including two Marines and two civilians. The attack was confirmed by thick columns of black smoke from the island. Reports of the billowing smoke appeared in both Korean and international media. Smoke could be seen billowing from the island after the earthquake damaged it. Korea has suffered significant losses from earthquakes over many years. Many locals sheltered in a dugout during the bombing and eventually escaped to Incheon by ferry and fishing boat. Before the attack, the population was usually around 1400; at one point, it fell to below 100. Considering that the surviving people were also preparing to depart, it was expected that the population would continue to decline. It was also predicted that the island's population would be dangerously low. Nevertheless, in March 2011, five months after the bombardment, more than 80% of the island's people returned home.

In addition, new weapons have been deployed following the attack to increase security. People assumed the island would wind up as a military base because citizens were prevented from entering there for some time. Shelters and dugouts were built to ensure that the entire population could be evacuated during a natural disaster. The locals' numbers grew, and they are now known to work steadily and joyfully in their fields (such as crab fishing) despite the unfortunate event. To date, the public has avoided inhabiting the island for fear of existing ghosts.

Yeongpyeong Island has suitable historical lessons on the various Korean wars. They feel enthusiastic about learning it. Traveling to the island is another exciting adventure for them. After breakfast, they leave to visit the island in the morning. They can’t stop telling their parents about what they see. On their way, they watch the high mountains and hills slopes that make South Korea admirable. The Korean War was the most recent in a long line of wars that have afflicted Korea. Many families were permanently separated by a 38th parallel that directly resulted from the Korean War's heavy casualties on both sides (North and South). Yeonpyeong Island lies close to the border dividing the two Koreas, and it has been the site of numerous bombings and military standoffs since the Korean War began in 1950. The occurrence in Yeongpyeong Island is more or less like terrorism. (Terrorism is an illegal act that tries to instill fear in the hearts and minds of the general public). The wars between North and South Korea did not justify the bombings that killed innocent Chinese, Japanese, and civilians. What seemed like an ordinary fight between the two states resulted in the destruction of property, disintegration of families, and loss of lives. To date, the Koreans remember the injustices their rivals subjected them to. North Korea’s perpetration of acts of violence against South Korea, including arson, robbery, r**e, k********g, combat, and bombing, affected civilians. The world condemned the terrorist act terming it as a cowardly act. As a result, Korean inhabitants had to leave the island sometime in 2010. Locals believe that many vengeful spirits reside in this area, despite the lack of evidence to back it up. It's not surprising, given the number of soldiers and civilians who have perished on the island over the years.

YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea, has an exciting story that shocked the troop. One evening, a man enjoyed walking around his farm in the company of his young sons. It was a routine, and the neighbors loved him as his farm produced excellent products. Later, he would enjoy the evening breeze while sitting in front of his home as he listened to the radio. Sometimes, his entire family would join him other times; he was alone. They would have fun, play indoor games together and discuss various things.

The house was close to the road where passers-by said hello to the man. They would chat with him for a moment and leave. However, something strange happened on a typical day. Chang Woon-il looked almost out of place, a lonely human figure on a street where stray dogs wandered among the abandoned and broken houses. The lonely human figure with a scary look started moving towards Chang Woon’s place. Immediately he called out to his sons, begging for help; he screamed in fear as the human figure kept changing its appearance from a fox-like to human-like. It was scary. “I am not intending to stay very long.” A voice said from the neighborhood. Chang Woon started trembling after hearing the voice. The boys ran from the house with a sharp knife and handed it over to their father. He was ready for a fight with the creature. “No, I am not here to harm you.” The creature begged. “Put the knife down.” The animal ordered Chang. He had no choice but to obey the orders.

Severally, Chang had tried to fish, but he was never lucky. Although his farm had giant produce, he still yearned to be a great fisherman. “Here!” the creature stretched its hands to give Chang a treasure. At first, Chang wasn’t sure whether it was a trap or not. Deep inside his heart, he knew that ghosts existed and were never friendly to humans. He feared for his life and that of his children. “May you have peace, my sons,” Chang said his last prayer and moved forward to grab the treasure from the creature. Chong prayed and held the catch. Immediately the beast placed the gem in Chong’s hand it vanished. A big sound scared neighbors who came out to check on Chong and his children.Chong was mesmerized that he was still alive. He embraced his two sons and wife. When Chong opened his hand, there was golden stuff with the shape of an oyster. He didn’t know what to do with it either. However, he promised to protect it from any harm. That evening the mood in the house was quite different. Chong informed his family of the impact of the golden oyster. The following morning, they carried the golden oyster and went fishing. Surprisingly, they had a great catch. They believed the visitation of the creature wasn’t in vain. Over the weekend, they all gathered all the extra fish and offered sacrifice to Shaman at the temple. They provided the rest to the less fortunate, widows, orphans, and the poor on their way back.

Several years later, Chong visited the Yellow Sea after North Korean perpetrators poorly hit it. He was surprised by the less number of people he met. The area had been beaten severely during bombings causing fatalities on the land. Most surviving Koreans fled to South Korea because it had fewer effects.Since the creature visited Chong, great things kept happening to him and his family. He also continued to worship the goddess by providing a token from his land, a gesture that impressed the ghosts. Many people were shocked how Chong and his family managed to live longer despite the majority's challenges. The secret remained with Chong’s family and his demise. His eldest son continued with the great deeds that his father used to do. The trend continued, and most visiting the island usually yearned to see the historic house where Chong and his family dwelt. They believe that by visiting the place, they may attract good fortune. However, some claim that the creature's spirit keeps hovering around the house.