On Tuesday, we took a tour of the DMZ. This was our itinerary:
Hotel -> Imjingak Park -> Freedom Bridge -> ID Check Point -> Pass by Unification Village -> The 3rd Tunnel (DMZ Theater, Exhibition Hall) -> Dora Observatory -> Dorasan Station -> Join JSA Tour Team at Imjingak Park -> Lunch -> Check Passport at Unification Bridge -> United Nation Command Security Battalion "Camp Bonifas" -> Slide Briefing -> Take Military Bus to Joint Security Area -> Freedom House -> Military Armistice Commission Building -> Bridge of No Return -> Hotel
There was a lot to see and a lot to take in during the trip. I hope that everything I write is accurate.
The DMZ is about one hour north of Seoul. While on the bus, the tour guide talked a little about the sites and monuments of Seoul. She also pointed out the military posts and barbed wire along the river. The Han River runs from North Korea into South Korea. The military posts are there to prevent North Koreans from taking the river south. Not long after leaving Seoul, the guide pointed out the first glimpses of North Korea.
The mountains are in North Korea.
Our first stop was at Imjingak. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Korea and was built right after the South-North Joint Statement in 1972. Imjingak holds many relics and monuments from the Korean War.
Monument at Imjingak.
The Peace Bell
The bell represents the peace of mankind and unification of the Korean nation for the new millennium.
Steam Locomotive at Jangdan Station of the Gyeongui Line
This locomotive is a symbol of the tragic history of the division into North and South Korea, having been left in the DMZ since it was derailed by bombs during the Korean War.
Next, we were taken to Dorasan Station. Dorasan Sation is the northernmost international station located over 700 meters from the Southern Boundary Line of the DMZ.
We then made our way to the Dora Observatory. Dora Observatory is located within the DMZ and is the northernmost observatory of the South. By looking through binoculars, we could see North Korean farmland. It was kind of a cloudy day, so it was hard to see.
This soldier from South Korea attends university in New York.
Do you see the yellow line at the bottom of the picture?! You cannot step over that line to take a picture. North Korea is just beyond those binoculars.
The next stop was the 3rd Tunnel. Driving up the mountain, we were told that on either side of the road were landmines. We were also told not to worry because our driver was experienced. Oh yay!
We weren't allowed to take pictures in the Tunnel. However, the 3rd Tunnel was discovered in 1978, just 52 km away from Seoul. It is 1,635 meters in length, 2 meters wide, and 2 meters tall. It is the longest one discovered to date. Zach had to walk pretty much the entire way bent over as he was too tall. Good thing they gave us hard hats to wear! The North Koreans tried to blame the South Koreans for the tunnels. However, the blasting clearly came from the North. The North Koreans also tried to claim that it was for coal. The Tunnel was painted black to look like coal.... Haha. Though we weren't able to take pictures in the Tunnel, we found some fun things outside.
About the 3rd Tunnel
The tour included lunch which was delicious! After lunch we started the Panmunjeom/JSA tour. This part of the tour was a lot more strict. We were warned several times not to take pictures unless we were told we could. It was pretty intense!
We drove to the United Nation Command Security Battalion "Camp Bonifas". There, our passports were checked and we were checked to make sure our clothing was appropriate. We drove to a place where we had a Slide Briefing. We also had to sign the Visitor Declaration (UNC REG 551-1) which basically said we were guests of the United Nations Command, we would wear our badges, we wouldn't speak to anyone not in our group, and that we would not point or make gestures. Pretty intimidating!
Once that was finished, we took a military bus to the Joint Security Area (JSA). The building is split right down the middle - North and South). We could only take pictures pointing to the North. There are seven building on the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Three are under control of the United Nations Command. The other four are under the control of the Korean People's Army. The main conference building is opened to visitors from both North and South Korea.
Military Demarcation Line (MDL)
The left side is the North; the right side is the South.
Facing North Korea.
We were only allowed to be in the building for a few short minutes. We were then taken outside where we had to stand in two lines facing North Korea. We were then allowed to only take pictures to the front. NO pointing or making gestures. The North Koreans were watching us from the big white building, Panmugak.
South Korean soldiers face North only when there are visitors (from both sides). North Korea soldiers only face South when visitors from the North come.
Panmugak of North Korea
North Korean soldier watching us.
Military Demarcation Line
The military bus then took us past the Bridge of No Return. The bridge got its name from the prisoner repatriation operations. The prisoners were exchanged on this bridge. However, once they crossed the bridge, they were not allowed to cross back to the other side.
We also drove past the memorial plaque of the Axe Murder Incident or the Tree Trimming Incident. You can read more of this incident here:
Axe Murder Incident.
Doing this tour was one of the best things we've ever done. It was such a neat experience! It also reminded us just how divided North Korea and South Korea really are. One ironic thing is that we found out about the North Korean nuclear test that happened that day while we were on the tour. We won't be forgetting that day anytime soon!
