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A Comprehensive Journey To Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

According to Wikipedia, The Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula. It is established by the provisions of the Korean Armistice Agreement to serve as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a border barrier that divides the Korean Peninsula roughly in half. It was created by agreement between North Korea, China and the United Nations in 1953


DMZ is a result of a truce or armistice between two opposing parties, in this case North and South Korea. In this area, the line is drawn at military installations or activities as well as military personnel.

Renowned as top places to visit in Seoul, the DMZ is a buffer zone of 250 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in width which is centered by the MDL – Military Demarcation Line – the actual border between the two countries.What to know before visiting the DMZ?

WHAT NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISIT DMZ

1. What to bring with you

A trip to DMZ embodies strict regulatory requirements every visitor must accordingly conform to Keep in mind that you are about entering the most dangerous place on the world.

It cannot be stressed enough that you need to bring your passport with you at all time. As most locations residing in the DMZ require proper identification prior to admission, you must be able to present your passport should needed. Besides passport, other means of identification, such as ID card or ARC – Application Registration Card, are highly recommended to accompany you throughout your visit to the DMZ.


2. What to watch out for

The fact that the DMZ is the most fortified zone in the world and that there are more than one million mines littered across the whole area. A United Nation Command report has also revealed the placement of mines underneath the Panmunjom or the "Truce Village". Knowing these facts, it is probably best if you do not wander off.


3. How to visit DMZ?

Everyone access to the DMZ is strictly controlled, it means all visitors only can go to the designated tourist sites in the area. Even private cars and taxis are not allowed
 

The only way visit the DMZ is through tours offered by selected travel agencies and booking a best DMZ tour in advance is highly recommended.

As most tours require you to send official documents beforehand, all you need to bring is your currently valid passport.



4. Taking photo

Before permission into the DMZ is granted, visitors must sign a waiver. To reiterate that DMZ is a potentially perilous experience, the waiver explicitly states that visitors’ safety is not guaranteed in the event of unanticipated complications.

This agreement form also clarifies about photos privileges, specifically when and where to take pictures. With all said, you should comply to all the instructions mentioned and of your guide.

WHAT TO SEE INSIDE DMZ?

1. Imjingak Resort

Established in 1972 after the North – South Armistice was meant to accommodate and console refugees who could not return to their homeland.
Instagram: @scottieglot
A trip to the DMZ never fails to astound visiors
You will find various monuments, statues related to the Korean War inside the resort. Outside, you can also find tanks and relics used in the Korean War.

Not only is this a popular attraction in the DMZ, it also serves to symbolize the importance of peace and unification.

2. Mangdaebbang Alter

Mangdaebbang Alter is a place of cultural significance, a place for the displaced to mourn their families, friends and loved ones who was lost due to the war and the separation that entailed.

 3. The Bridge of Freedom

Behind the Mangdaebbang Alter is the Bridge of Freedom. This is a small bridge where Prisoners of War (POWs) were exchanged after the war.

Once they chose to cross over the road, they could not make a turning back, hence the name “Bridge of No Return”.

About thirteen thousand UNC prisoners returned to their countries, and about eighty-nine thousand KPA and Chinese prisoners returned to their communist nations.


4. Head to the scary Third Tunnel

The tunnel is 1.64 kilometers long, 2 meters high, 2 meters wide and is about 73 m below ground. It is said that approximately 30,000 soldiers can move per hour through this tunnel.
third-tunnel-in-jsa
Explore scary Third Tunnel


Only 44 km (27 miles) from Seoul, the incomplete tunnel was discovered in October 1978 following the detection of an underground explosion in June 1978, under the south side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

5. Dora Observatory

The observatory was first opened to the public in January 1987. It is the closest part of the South to the North, on which tourists can glimpse a rare view of North Korea.

dora-observatory
Dora Observatory
You can use telescopes to look over the border and see the propaganda village

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