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| Posts with the hashtag #survivalbackpack in Korean on Instagram / Screen capture from Instagram |
By Kim Bo-eun
International new media has portrayed Koreans as staying surprisingly calm despite heightened tension due to North Korea's nuclear and missile tests. But public interest in survival kits and preparation for the possibility of war seem to be picking up.
A shipping company based in southern Seoul handed out survival kits to its employees last week as gifts for the traditional thanksgiving holiday of Chuseok, according to Yonhap News Agency.
"We have created and are distributing a survival kit with emergency items in consideration of the current circumstances," the company was quoted as saying.
"There are 15 items including the backpack _ come and pick up your bags from the general affairs team."
A photo of the bag appeared on an online community forum.
The backpack contained field rations, a blanket, an ultra-light sleeping bag, a medical kit, gas mask, helmet, portable radio, lantern, compass, raincoat, hot pack and Swiss Army Knife.
Interest in survival kits and war preparation is also increasing among the general public.
If you search for "survival bag" on the largest portal site here, the search results yield lists of commodities at online retailers, and related posts on communities.
"I doubted a war would actually break out, but then after seeing people around me purchase kits I was reminded of my grandmother's words that the Korean War (1950-1953) suddenly broke out at dawn," a post said in a community forum.
"So I've ordered items and I am going to put the backpacks by the front door. Has everyone stocked up?"
Another comment said, "My husband is looking to purchase a scooter saying they are popular during times of war."
Another comment read, "My grandfather said we must write the names and personal details of our children on notes and put them on their clothes."
A search of the hashtag "survivalbackpack" in Korean on Instagram yields pictures of actual kits people have made as well as related information. These reappeared after Sept. 3, when Pyongyang conducted its sixth nuclear test. Before then, pictures of survival kits were posted when a record 5.8-magnitude quake occurred in the southeastern city of Gyeongju last year.
While some point to commercial marketing as inciting fear, many are opting to be on the safe side.
Yonhap named these people "neo-preppers," in reference to the general term "preppers," who are individuals or groups preparing for emergencies, including disruptions in social or political order.
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