DMZ

Two weekends ago Seth and I were able to go to the DMZ (de-militarized zone) that is the border between North and South Korea. It was something I had wanted to do since I came to Korea, so I'm glad I was able to go before I had to leave. I was worried that due to the latest political tensions between the North and South that we wouldn't be able to go or our tour would be limited, but luckily everything worked out.
The tour was led by the USO in Seoul. We took 2 buses with a bunch of other foreigners to the Camp Bonifas army base right outside of the DMZ. There we received a briefing by an army soldier and also met our army tour guide who happened to be from Pennsylvania like me. During our briefing we learned about the history of the DMZ and small scuffles between the North and South Korean army along the DMZ line.
The DMZ is a very interesting place and I think its unlike any other place in the world. There is an actual line that divides Korea, but there is also an area around the line that is off limits to people. Because this area has been basically untouched by people for years, the wildlife in the DMZ area is very unique. There is even a rumor that a tiger lives somewhere in the DMZ. Another interesting thing about the DMZ is that a town of South Korean people actually live in the DMZ. Their town is called Freedom Village in English and the people who live there are exempt from taxes and from the military service. The people in the village farm to make money. New people are not allowed to come to the village, and only women are allowed to marry into the village. The people in the village have a strict curfew and are not allowed out of their homes after a certain time at night. They also have to keep their windows and doors locked after that time as well. Another interesting thing about the DMZ is the fake city on the North Korean side that Kim Jong Il had built in order to make it seem that the North is more prosperous than it actually is. No one lives in this fake city, and rarely are people ever seen walking around there.
I'll explain the rest of my experience using some of the pictures I took.


DMZ briefing with Seth and 3 Fulbright friends


our army tour guides


South Korean soldier


on our bus with our tour guide


Seth and I in front of the DMZ. The blue buildings are halfway in the North and halfway in the South. The tall concrete building in the back is in North Korea.


The blue buildings are used for diplomatic talks between the North, South and other involved countries.


The horizontal cement line connecting the middle of the two blue buildings is the actual line that separates North and South Korea.


If you look closely you can see a North Korean soldier looking at us through his binoculars.





"The Bridge of No Return"
After the armistice was reached, POWs from the North and South were lined up on either side of this bridge and told they could cross to their respective sides but were never allowed to come back.


Inside the blue building. The microphones down the middle of the table mark the DMZ line and also record everything that goes on in the building 24 hrs a day.


We were told not to go too close to the guards because they were allowed to use their black belt skills on us if they felt threatened.


I'm in NORTH KOREA!!!


Tour guide explaining the uses for the blue building.


A bottle of North Korean soju I bought as a souvenir.


Dorasan station is the last station in South Korea on the railroad that connects the two Koreas.


You can see the blue sign says to "Pyeongyang". The railroad is used to transport cargo between North and South Korea.


DMZ


Holding my North Korean currency I bought at Camp Bonifas.