Explore the DMZ!

Friday, June 25th was the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. This weekend we went on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone between the North and South. The DMZ is 4 kilometers in width. The area is a no civilian zone. Civilians are only allowed in this area on tours. Both borders are heavily armed. Our tour guide explained that the US army dropped landmines in the DMZ in order to prevent land attacks from North Korea that regularly happened after the Korean War "ended" and sometimes even happen today. We were able to see areas fenced off with red flags warning that the area was covered in landmines. We were strongly cautioned to always stay with our guide. Despite being a demilitarized, no civilian, zone the area is also a "nature reserve." Because human habitation is prohibited, unique and endangered plants and animals exist here.

Freedom Bridge - This bridge was built to commemorate the location where North and South Korea exchanged 12,773 prisoners of war after the ceasefire in 1953. The two Koreas are technically still at war.

This is the final and north most railroad station in South Korea. It was built in the hopes that one day it will connect the North and the South. Pyeongyang is the capital city of North Korea. After the Korean peninsula is united, this railroad will connect Korea, China, Russia, and Europe.

President George W. Bush visited this railroad station after it was built in 2002. He gave a speech recognizing South Korea's strength and achievements. He also encouraged South Koreans to continue to hope for and strive for the unification of Korea.

There is one road that leads to North Korea. South Korea is only allowed to use this road 12 times a day total. Those who do travel on it must have special permission and must have gone through an application process.


We were able to look at Gaesong city, the third largest city in North Korea. You cannot see it in this picture, but we were able to clearly see a propaganda village, Gaesong industrial complex, a statue of Kim Il Sung, and the tallest flagpole in the world displaying the North Korean flag.

At this location, we were only allowed to take pictures outside (I was disappointed because the inside of this area was my favorite part of the tour)! After taking pictures, we entered a building, locked up our belongings, threw on hard hats, and headed down a narrow tunnel. The tunnel we explored is called The 3rd Tunnel. It was discovered in 1978. This tunnel was dug by North Koreans. It starts in North Korea and goes under the DMZ. The intent was for North Korea to use this tunnel and others to once again attack the South; however, their progress was stopped when the tunnel was discovered. After the tunnel had been discovered, the North Koreans quickly spread coal along the roof and sides of the tunnel. They told the South that the purpose of the tunnel was for mining coal, but the tunnel is all granite. There is no coal in the area, except for what they smeared on the tunnel walls. Four of these tunnels have been discovered. They all point in the direction of Seoul. South Korea believes that there are still many tunnels to be discovered. It is estimated that 10,000 soldiers could move through one tunnel in one hour. Exploring the tunnel was very intriguing. Dynamite holes covered the walls, yellow powder still lingered around the holes, and coal was smeared in random spots.

Although their hope for this has dwindled by the recent rising tensions, South Koreans are very eager to unite the Korean peninsula. This statue represents the unification of Korea.

All in all, it was very intriguing to learn about and see the most isolated country in the world.

-Anna