The Korean peninsula is home to a single nation of people with the same language and ethnicity, divided into two countries. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone, which was established on July 27, 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed during the Korean War. The DMZ vividly captures the scars and wounds of the Korean War as well as the wishes and hopes for the future.
South and North Koreas drew a truce line across the Korean Peninsula, from the mouth of the Imjingang River in the east, to the town of Goseong in the west. On either side of the truce line is a 2km-wide stretch of land where military activity is forbidden. The zone has been protected from human disturbance for about 6 decades and has unintentionally become a haven for wildlife. The destinations in this ecological area have been regaining popularity among eco-driven tourists. The following information will introduce the major attractions along the DMZ and related package tours to the nearby regions.
This summit to be held at the Peace House in Panmunjeom is a product ofthe unyielding efforts made by President Moon and the South Korean government and the complete support of the international community, including the US and other neighboring countries, to encourage the North to enter into dialogue amidst the escalating security crisis on the Korean Peninsula. It is the first meeting of the leaders of the South and North in 11 years since the second summit in 2007 following the first in 2000, and the North’s leader will be stepping onto the South Korean side of Panmunjeom for the first time. This summit will be prepared with a focus on assisting the two leaders to better concentrate on their talks.
Panmunjeom
From an Icon of Division to an Icon of PeaceOriginally, guards of the South, North, and United Nations were guaranteed free movement and access as befits Panmunjeom’s status as the Joint Security Area, but, after the axe murder incident in 1976, they were separated. The Military Demarcation Line is a row of concrete blocks, each measuring 5cm in height and 50cm in width, between the Freedom House and Panmungak. The Line emerged as a symbol of the tragedy of national division.
The world is once again watching Panmunjeom to see if it will be able to produce a bud of peace from the soil of the pain of division as the venue of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit.
The 2018 Inter-Korean Summit will serve as an opportunity to lay stepping stones towards denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and the advancement of inter-Korean relations. The significance of the summit also lies in bringing the leaders of the two Koreas together and providing the forum to engage in candid talks and build trust after years of deteriorating inter-Korean relations.
In particular, this Inter-Korean Summit will be followed shortly by the US-North Korea summit. The two summits will provide a crucial opportunity to advance denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and promote the co-prosperity of the two Koreas. The successful staging of the two summits will be marked as a milestone for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the establishment of the permanent peace aspired and supported by the international community.
The South Korean government will keep this in mind and make thorough preparations to lay solid stepping stones for peace on the Korean Peninsula through the Inter-Korean Summit on April 27, 2018, in close collaboration with neighboring countries and the international community.
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) extends largely from Gyeonggi-do to Gangwon-do, including seven different cities and smaller counties of Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje and Goseong. Thus, to make the most out of your limited time, it is advised to make a plan in advance for which region you are most interested in visiting. After choosing one area, it will be much easier for you to look around the nearby attractions, centering on and around your choice of DMZ destination. Many regions have special Security Tourism programs available, which include admission to the DMZ attractions in the area.
More importantly, you are required to bring a legitimate form of identification and/or your passport when going to the DMZ. Tourists are additionally reminded that photography is highly restricted, so please check before taking photographs.
Established in 1972 immediately after the declaration of the joint South-North armistice, Imjingak Resort exhibits various relics and monuments related to the Korean War and subsequent South-North confrontations. Nuri Peace Park located nearby is a large park that can accommodate up to 25,000 tourists. The park is most widely known for the 3,000 pinwheels on display, but also features a variety of sculpted artworks. Visitors can enjoy performances on the hill.
Discovered in 1978, the Third Infiltration Tunnel was dug by the Northern army to spy on their Southern counterparts. The tunnel is 1,635 meters long, with a height and width of 2 meters. It is a prime example of the South-North confrontation and has become an all inclusive tourist attraction, with a DMZ video hall, representative sculptures, gift shops and more.
Dorasan Station is one of the northernmost railway stations on the Gyeongui Line, connecting Seoul to Sinuiju. The station was visited by previous Korean President Kim Daejung and pervious American President George H.W. Bush. From the station, visitors can view Dorasan Mountain and the barbed wire fences of the Southern Limit Line. However, the station is located in the zone that strictly restricts general civilian access, so visitors must register in advance at Imjingang Station.
Panmunjeom is located at the site of the former village of Neolmun-ri, near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Jinseo-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Panmunjeom. As the venue for the Military Armistice Conference held in October 1951, the name was changed to the current Panmunjeom. It is more widely known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), where blue and white huts are administrated by the United Nations Military and North Korean military respectively.
The observatory is situated in the northernmost ceasefire line of the western front where Hangang River, Seoul’s lifeline, and Imjingang River meet. It offers a wide view of Songaksan Mountain in Gaeseong to the north and 63 Building in Seoul to the south. Also, it is a valuable unification security tourist attraction related to Imjingak, the 3rd Tunnel, and Panmunjeom (Joint Security Area) stretching along Jayu-ro in the northeast.
This observatory was built for North Korean defectors and people who were forced to be separated from their families during the war. On exhibit inside of the observatory are daily household goods and military equipment from North Korea, allowing visitors to get an indirect experience of the North. The observatory building’s fence is dotted with notes from visitors wishing for the Koreas’ reunification. The observation deck provides glimpses into North Korean land, but visitors are reminded that photography is prohibited here.
