INFORMATION ARCHIVES: Journey Towards North Korea !!!

Journey Towards North Korea !!!

When I was preparing to come to Korea, one of my uncle told me to visit Korean Demilitarized Zone if possible. After coming to Korea It was my plan to visit DMZ but I never thought that I will get this chance so early and so easily. I applied to participate in the 1st training course on Korean National Health Insurance for International Students via Korea International Student Association (KINSA) and luckily got accepted for that event. The main attraction of this event was not the presentation on Health Tourism in Korea that was even conducted in Korean Language. The main attraction of this event was DMZ tour.

I started my journey towards National Health Insurance Co. from my University at 5:30 in the morning. It was Friday and I was having the last class of the week. But who cares about the class when you are going to DMZ, a place near to North Korea!!

I reached at the venue before starting the event. At the reception we were welcomed by the organizers and they gave us some gifts including 20000won!! A perfect starting, isn't it ???

The program started with self introduction of the participants. We introduced ourself in Korean Language. After that there were 2 presentation before the lunch on Korean Health Insurance and Health Tourism. Both of the presentations were in Korean so we barely understood the presentation. I was trying to understand something from some brochures and from the hard copy of the presentation which was in English.

During the lunch break everyone went to cafeteria to have lunch. Only 5-6 of us who were fasting were chatting outside the cafeteria. Some people were asking us that why we were not eating and we were explaining to them that we were fasting and we could not eat till before sun set. After hearing this the expression that they were giving was "OO!! Ramdan!." I think most of the Koreans know what Ramdan is, even though they don't know what does it really means.

Anyway, after the lunch we took a group photo in front of the office and started our journey towards North Korea.

Everyone of us was so excited as it was our first experience to go so near to North Korea. After 1 hour we reached infront of a bridge that was built by Hyundai Co to send relief to North Korea. One of my Korean friend was explaining to me that the founder of Hyundai Co has some relatives in North Korea and he has a good feelings for North Korean People. That's why he made this bridge to send some assistance to them. This bridge is called Unification Bridge.

This is the Unification Bridge that we crossed

Our bus stopped in front of that bridge and one of the soldiers came to check our bus and also see our passport before entering to DMZ area. After few minutes he allowed us to go forward without checking anything as we were the guest of Ministry :)
Actually Korean Governments want to make DMZ as a tourist attraction. That's why they are making a lot of things there to attract foreign tourists. At present they are doing their activities in a limited number. For those who want to visit DMZ have to apply via some selected tour agencies and after reviewing your documents they may allow you to visit this area. And of course you have to have a big amount of money for DMZ tour. We didn't need anything as we were invited by the Ministry. The only thing that we did was to submit a copy of our passport while applying for this event.

After crossing that bridge we went to a place where the 3rd Tunnel is situated. This tunnel was made by North Korea to attack South Korea. When the tunnel was discovered by South Korean Soldiers, the North Korean authority was claiming that they dug this tunnel for searching coals. To prove their claim true they polished the wall of the tunnel with coal in some places. We enter into the tunnel with an roller coaster type elevator. It took nearly 15minutes to reach at the stoppage of that elevator. The stoppage was little different than Korean Subway Stoppage. It was like something that we usually see in the movie. I was planning to take some photos but due to restriction I couldn't capture photos. Just to inform you that these places are the most secured areas of South Korea and it is not allowed for the traveler to take photos. You are only allowed to capture photos in some specific areas. But I tried my best to captured photos specially when their were no guards around !!! :P

Passing through The 3rd Tunnel made by North Korea

I also tried to capture the photos of North Korean border side from the observation place near to DMZ. From this place you can see North Korea very clearly with the help of Coin Operated Binoculars. I tried to captured the photos of North Korean Flag situated in North Korea. The pictures were not that good as I was using my phone to capture photos because my Korean friend who has DSLR camera already put it in her bag because of not being allowed to capture photos.

After visiting the Tunnel area we went to the Dora Observatory from where North Korea is visible. It is the northernmost observatory of South Korea from which visitors can view a part of North Korean life through coin opetated Binoculars. From Dora Observatory tourist can view the North Korean propaganda village in DMZ and as far North Korea as the city of Gaeseong.

People were observing North Korea through Coin Operated Binoculars when we arrived there. There were some multi storied buildings in the North Korean side which were visible. My Korean friend was telling me that North Korea built this village to show that they are rich. Actually no people live there and there are a team of soldiers who guard propaganda village 24 hours. I was also getting some new information from a South Korean Soldier who were explaining about DMZ in English.

He was telling that there are a lot of mines in DMZ area and the only way to go to North Korea is a road in the middle of DMZ area. When I was seeing that some trucks were coming from North Korea through that road I was asking that soldier what they were bringing from North Korea. He told me that they are bringing some products made by North Korea. Actually we supply them electricity as they don't have enough electricity. In returns they produce some products and sell them to us. Interesting, isn't it ?
My friend was also telling me that those workers working in those industries near the border have to pay 50% tax to North Korean Govt.

A South Korean Soldier was Explaining about DMZ

After visiting Dora Observatory we went to Dorasan Train Station, the north most station in South Korea. It is the last station of South Korea before starting the North Korean border. 52 years of anticipation' waiting for the day when the two countries will be united once again. Dorasan station' the northernmost station in South Korea' has planned to connect the Gyongueisun(Line) and it will be linked to the European continent via the Siberian Railway.

After visiting Dorasan Train Station we went to Imjingak Tourist spot. Imjingak , located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, is now at the forefront of tourism related to the Korean Conflict.

It was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. Three-storied Imjingak is surrounded by several Monuments, Unification Park and North Korea Center.

400 kinds of photos and documents showing the stark reality of North Korea are displayed in the North Korea Center of Unification Board. Outside Imjingak, there are 12 kinds of tanks and crafts on display that were used during the Korean Conflict.

Mangbaedan, which stands opposite to Imjingak, is famous for being the place where people from North Korea visit and perform ancestral rites by bowing toward their hometown every New Years Day and Chuseok. The Bridge of the Freedom, South Koreans crossed when they came back to their mother country from North Korea, stands behind Mangbaedan.

In front of Imjingak, there is the Gyeongui Train Line which was destroyed during the Korean Conflict in 1950. It has been under construction since 2000. Every year many events for unification are held at Imjingak.

Imjingak is now one of the famous tourist spots for foreigners in Gyeonggi-do Province because it is possible to visit without going through any security check points.

Finally our DMZ tour came to an end and our bus started to head towards Seoul. It took one more hour to reach in Seoul and finally they day long event was finished with a Buffet Dinner at Bono Seafood Buffet restaurants, one of the most famous and expensive Seafood Buffet restaurant in Seoul.