Park Chum-se, pictured on the left, has lived in Jung Myeon for more than 40 years. He owns the only store in town. Jung Myeon, a township in northern South Korea, sits just a few kilometers from one of the world's most heavily fortified borders.
Park Chum-se, pictured on the left, has lived in Jung Myeon for more than 40 years. He owns the only store in town. Jung Myeon, a township in northern South Korea, sits just a few kilometers from one of the world's most heavily fortified borders.
KJ Kwon/CNN
A paddy field in Jung Myeon, just miles away from the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), is pictured. In mid-August, North Korea fired a projectile aimed at a South Korean military loudspeaker, which was blasting news about capitalism and K-pop. North Korea viewed the broadcast as provocation. South Korea responded to its northern neighbor by firing back a few dozen shells. Most people in Jung Myeon are farmers. When an evacuation order following the confrontation ratcheted up, most residents were worried about their crops -- not whether a war will break out or not.
A paddy field in Jung Myeon, just miles away from the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), is pictured. In mid-August, North Korea fired a projectile aimed at a South Korean military loudspeaker, which was blasting news about capitalism and K-pop. North Korea viewed the broadcast as provocation. South Korea responded to its northern neighbor by firing back a few dozen shells. Most people in Jung Myeon are farmers. When an evacuation order following the confrontation ratcheted up, most residents were worried about their crops -- not whether a war will break out or not.
KJ Kwon/CNN
Park Chum-se is pictured handling Soju, a popular Korean liquor, at his store. Business was good a few years back, when soldiers from a nearby base flocked to his store to use phones and buy goods such as cigarettes.
Park Chum-se is pictured handling Soju, a popular Korean liquor, at his store. Business was good a few years back, when soldiers from a nearby base flocked to his store to use phones and buy goods such as cigarettes.
KJ Kwon/CNN
Park's mother sits in his son's store. These days, Park only sells Soju, instant noodles and cigarettes after a Post Exchange -- a retail store for the U.S. Army -- opened up in the military base. Customers are infrequent. Park also grows crops, including rice and chilly, at his farm inside a restricted military area.
Park's mother sits in his son's store. These days, Park only sells Soju, instant noodles and cigarettes after a Post Exchange -- a retail store for the U.S. Army -- opened up in the military base. Customers are infrequent. Park also grows crops, including rice and chilly, at his farm inside a restricted military area.
KJ Kwon/CNN
Park's mother is pictured. Park is one of the 210 residents currently living in Jung Myeon. Its aging population has continued to decrease by about 80 people in less than 5 years, as the younger generation moves out to more populated cities for jobs and other opportunities.
Park's mother is pictured. Park is one of the 210 residents currently living in Jung Myeon. Its aging population has continued to decrease by about 80 people in less than 5 years, as the younger generation moves out to more populated cities for jobs and other opportunities.
KJ Kwon/CNN
Kim Shin-je, Park's wife of more than 40 years, said she is not worried about war.
Kim Shin-je, Park's wife of more than 40 years, said she is not worried about war.
KJ Kwon/CNN
Kim has become immune to North Korea's constant threat of war and the sounds of military drill. Kim and her family stayed in an underground bunker for nearly five days after the evacuation order was made.
Kim has become immune to North Korea's constant threat of war and the sounds of military drill. Kim and her family stayed in an underground bunker for nearly five days after the evacuation order was made.
KJ Kwon/CNN
The bunker lies about two dozen steps underground. It is designed to withstand North Korea's military attacks.
The bunker lies about two dozen steps underground. It is designed to withstand North Korea's military attacks.
KJ Kwon/CNN
The metal door that leads into the bunker is about a meter thick.
The metal door that leads into the bunker is about a meter thick.
KJ Kwon/CNN
The bunker is equipped with basic supplies, including water and food.
The bunker is equipped with basic supplies, including water and food.
KJ Kwon/CNN
The bunker also has television reception, a refrigerator, generators and bathrooms. It can hold up to 100 people.
The bunker also has television reception, a refrigerator, generators and bathrooms. It can hold up to 100 people.
KJ Kwon/CNN
As tensions between the Koreas heightened, residents stayed inside the bunker, anxiously watching the news. Most of them were more concerned about insects eating away their crops and the media, which were constantly trying to enter the bunker and take a peek, according to one resident who declined to be named.
As tensions between the Koreas heightened, residents stayed inside the bunker, anxiously watching the news. Most of them were more concerned about insects eating away their crops and the media, which were constantly trying to enter the bunker and take a peek, according to one resident who declined to be named.
KJ Kwon/CNN