Thursday, September 06, 2007

Outbreak of Crime Strikes Village

The small village of Hudong-ri, partway between the friary and Gangchon station was a haven of peace until recently. It boasted a sign advertising that it had been a "crime-less village" since a particular date - I think in 1991. That sign has now been removed. What ghastly infamy has been committed? Perhaps the crime was nothing other than the illegal removal of the sign? But what if it was more? The village is inhabited by a few dozen very old farmers.

Or what if the sign merely meant that no crime had been reported - and that in reality, behind the doors of the farmers' rude dwellings, were daily committed scenes of wild depravity?

Will it be safe to pass through the mean street (there's only one) of Hudong-ri again?