A Tour of the DMZ

I finally have some time to write about my tour of the Demilitary Zone (DMZ). Lauren and I had booked a trip through USO about a month ago to go up North and visit the DMZ, along with the Joint-Security Area (JSA). The DMZ is one of the most recommended places to visit in Korea and is the only place where North and South Korea can hold talks. The weather was cold and dreary, but made the experience THAT much better.

        

To begin I met Lauren in Seoul around 8am to cab it over to the military base where the USO office is found. We departed Seoul around 9am and made the 1.5 hour drive up North to our first stop which was The Third Infiltration Tunnel. This tunnel was the third tunnel found in 1978 and was built by the North Koreans for a surprise attack on Seoul. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside due to the extremely tight space. This was nothing more than an extremely long hike down to a cave that was almost impossible to hike up. 

Next, we made it over to the Dora Observatory. On a clear day you are able to see many parts of North Korea because this is the closest part of North Korea that you can see. Of course, as I stated, the weather was awful and extremely foggy. So instead of scoping out the North, we watched a movie. HA!

After our movie, we headed to Dorasan Station. This station once connected the North to the South to allow the shipping of cargo. They restored the station a few years ago to later close it due to political reasons from the North. We stayed for about 20 minutes and were able to get a ticket and tour the station, inside and out. 

By this time it was time for lunch. Our tour took us to a cafeteria where we had a Korean lunch and were able to purchase bottles of North Korean beer. I heard beer and HAD to jump on the chance to try it. I mean who ever gets to say, "Oh yeah! North Korean beer is so amazing or so disgusting?" Our tour guide told us we were not allowed to drink the beer on the tour so I brought it home to try with my friends. I'm still waiting for the right moment to open that bottle of mystery. To be honest, I'm a little scared.

After filling our bellies with kimchi and bibimbap, we headed to the absolute BEST part of the tour, the JSA. Our group was taken into a room on Camp Bonifas to be briefed on the history of the North and South. Before our history lesson, we were asked to basically sign our own death wish. The document below was just a little reminder that we were about to enter an area where we could be attacked at any time. This is when things really started to get real.

We were asked to leave everything on our tour bus except for our camera and umbrella. We then transferred to a military bus that took us in the JSA. Our tour guide for this part of the trip was a US soldier. He explained to us that the roads we were traveling on had minefields and explosive-laden cement walls that are designed to pretty much collapse where you are in the event of an invasion. He then proceeded to inform us that every bridge and highway in Seoul is built the same. At this point, I was beginning to think I was absolutely crazy for going on this tour.

The next part of the tour was probably the eeriest part for me. We arrived at a building where we were separated into two lines and reminded of our rules. Our rules were basically to make no contact with the North Korean soldiers. As we walked through the doors to the backside of the building, I felt my body become stiff with fear. I was looking at a North Korean soldier literally less than 50 yards away. 

At one point I remember asking Lauren for a reminder as to where I was not allowed to take pictures. Naturally, Lauren began to point. I quickly slapped her finger down as I was afraid of being shot or something. 

Our group was next directed into a building that had many tables and chairs, along with two South Korean soldiers. We all gathered around a table in the center of the room. Our guide then informed us that some of us were in South Korea and some were in North Korea. After finding out that I was in North Korea, I became a scared little baby and was ready to run for the hills. The flagpole and microphone on the table in the picture below shows the line that seperates the Korea's. This is the only place where the North and South can be in the same room.

I took pictures with these two soldiers below. We were instructed not to stand too close, for they may break us into pieces. Each South Korean soldier has a master in taekwondo (hence is why they are standing in these stances) and another form of martial arts. 

We then hopped back on to our bus and went to another over look. Here we were able to see many parts of the North. First is North Korea's fake village. This was a village built specifically for show. Not one person lives in this village and every building is empty inside with no floors. 

The flagpole below is the largest flagpole in the world. It weighs close to 600lbs. and takes about 30 people to put up and take down.

Next is the propaganda tower. This tower was used to send propaganda to Camp Bonifas to try and lure the American and South Korea soldiers.

As we departed the JSA, we drove past The Bridge of No Return. This bridge was used for prisoner exchanges after the Korean War.  

This was such an amazing trip to experience. I'm so happy that I was gutsy enough to go and visit an almost war zone. This really put things into perspective for me in knowing that the war between North and South is very real. After going on this tour, I definitely feel as though I'm always being watched though. I do strongly recommend this trip to any and all people who visit Korea.