S Korea’s answer: Sex

South Koreans are used to living in the shadow of war, and life has continued as normal across the country in the wake of the October 9 test. But statistics on the number of condoms sold in recent weeks suggest despite their blase reaction to the North’s nuclear bluster, many South Koreans may be seeking solace in sex.

A leading chain of convenience stores reported on Thursday that their condom sales rose to an average of 1,930 a day in the week after October 9, compared to 1,508 a day for the year to Septermber 30.

It was impossible to know whether the increase in sales was directly linked to a heightened sense of vulnerability or stress among South Koreans. However, the head of the Korea Institute for Sex Education, Seong Gyeong-won, said “People tend to have urges to procreate in times of extreme situations.”