The 38th Parallel: A view from South Korea
21 Jun-11
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the line on the 38th parallel bisecting the North and South Korea. The line came about after the Korean War, when an armistice was signed to cease hostilities, in the process creating a 4km wide exclusion zone.
I visited the southern side of the DMZ, on a day tour. Imjingak is the visitor’s centre for tourists eager to experience a bit of the border.
This is the Memorial Altar. Every Chu’sok Day, north koreans in the south will visit the altar and pray for the reunification. The 7 granite screens represent the 5 northern provinces and 2 more in North Korea.
In Imjingak, there is also the remains of a locomotive train abandoned in the DMZ during the Korean war. Bulletholes and bent wheels can be seen on the train.
A view of the Bridge of Freedom which crosses the Imjin River and leads into Panmunjom. Special permission is required to head into Panmumjom. Wire fences line the grounds, with
Flags are put up by visitors wishing for unification, and a prayer for souls of ancestors to the North.
These curious little stone guards stand on either side of the bridge. A couple more stand outside the 3rd Aggression Tunnels.
Found on the South Korean side so far are entrances to 4 tunnels. These tunnel leads from North to South Korea. I went to the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. No photos allowed inside, but here is one of the tunnel plan. When found, the North said that these were coal mining tunnels, but no evidence of coal had been found. Instead the walls had been painted black and made to resemble coal.
Next up, we took the bus to Dorasan observatory. From here, you can look through binoculars to North Korea in the distance. No photos allowed beyond the yellow line. Try and the guards will tick you off, and were heard to even delete the offending shots.
The Dorasan station is the last station before you go into North Korea. The line currently stops at Dorasan, and perhaps in the future, will continue on to Kaesong, and then Pyongyang. Should the line open, the railway will stretch from South Korea all the way to Europe.
And out on the track. The sign says “Not the last station of the South, but the first station towards the North.”
A souvenir to bring home, stamped tickets.
For a even close-up view of North Korea, there are tours right up to Panmunjeom, right up on the demarcation line between North and South Korea. This is the JSA (joint security area) where you can see North Korean soldiers striking tough poses across the line.
