{"id":15353,"date":"2023-08-25T16:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T20:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agaaga.khoolbrew.ca\/?p=15353"},"modified":"2023-12-24T08:40:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T13:40:45","slug":"demilitarized-zone-dmz-from-the-south-korean-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agaaga.khoolbrew.ca\/index.php\/2023\/08\/25\/demilitarized-zone-dmz-from-the-south-korean-side\/","title":{"rendered":"DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ) from the South Korean side"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While in Seoul, we took a tour to visit the DMZ – an eye-opening and sobering experience. On the drive, our tour guide educated us about the DMZ and some of the history of Korea. He pointed out that South Koreans are educated in school about their history; and again during their mandatory time in the army (for males). These are the highlights of Korean history from his (and South Korea’s) perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~late 1300s to 1910: Joseon Dynasty. One Korea, called Goryeo, based on Confucius ideology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1910: Japan annexed Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1945: Soviets enter northern Korea, and with the surrender of Japan and collapse of Nazi Germany, Korea is divided into two occupation zones: the south, administered by the United States and north of the 38th parallel by Soviet Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1948: two governments are established, one for South Korea, the other for North Korea. The guide stressed numerous times during the tour that they were all Koreans, and many, himself included, had family members split between the north and the south. In 1948, North Korea is significantly stronger than South Korea as it was closer to its allies (Russia and China), and was by the sea; also, industry and resources were more prevalent in North Korea. One example he cited was that North Korea had 242 tanks while South Korea had none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1950: June 25, North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) invades South Korea (supported by the United States and United Nations), and takes Seoul in 3 days. The North Koreans committed genocide on the South Koreans. For example, 2000 people in a hospital were killed because if they were in a big hospital, they were wealthy and all rich people were to be killed. By August, refugees have fled to Busan; and the UN forces are pushed to the southeast corner of the peninsula. In September, UN forces launch a surprise attack on Incheon (on the west coast, close to Seoul), and push north, causing China to enter the war with over a million soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1953: Armistice Agreement is signed by North Korea, South Korea, China, and the United Nations (represented by the United States) and the DMZ is established. The guide emphasized that the Agreement did not signify the end of the war – the war continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our tour bus at our first stop – Gamaksan Suspension Bridge. Our guide explained that the South Korean government has a Remains Recovery project for those Killed-In-Action during the war. As of 2018, 10,000 remains have been recovered. Immediate family members up to third cousins can provide DNA for identification. Photo by Nolan B.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Also known as Gloucester Heroes Bridge, this site is a memorial to the British soldiers who fought and died during the Korean War.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge is 220 m long and 10 m high with excellent views of Majanghosu Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking back at the bridge after crossing to a wooded area with a boardwalk for a short walk back to the bus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The kids said the views along the walk reminded them of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arrival at Imjin \/ Imjingak River – on the left is Freedom Bridge over the Imjin River, which starts in North Korea and runs through South Korea. The Imjin River is also called the \u201cRiver of the Dead\u201d due to the numbers of dead bodies that have floated by from North Korea. There are also nets with sensors in the river to catch mines that are floated down from the north (the mines are made of plastic). The guide mentioned that during the famine of the 1990s, millions of North Koreans starved to death; South Korea donated food to the North Koreans during this time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A sign further along explained:<\/p>\nFreedom Bridge takes its name from the return of 12,773 prisoners of war in 1953 in the first exchange of prisoners after the signing of the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War.

Two railroad bridges on the Gyeongui Line originally spanned the Imjingang River side-by-side. Both were destroyed by bombing; only the piers remained. To enable exchange of prisoners of war, the west bridge was rebuilt as a temporary structure over the original piers. The repatriates were take to Freedom Bridge by trucks and they crossed the bridge on foot.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Continuing the drive, we started seeing these little red triangles on both sides of the road. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The guide explained that there are over a million mines in the DMZ area, and removal has been done only in specific areas. No wandering!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Toll highway between North and South Korea. When our tour guide started working 8 years ago,
there was traffic using this toll gate. A year later, it was shut down and there’s been no traffic since.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On the walk towards Dora Observatory for the DMZ and North Korea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Mangbaedan altar was built to enable those who fled North Korea to honour their ancestors and relatives that have been left behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This steam locomotive contains more than 1,020 bullet holes. It was travelling from Seoul to Pyeongyang when it attacked by Chinese troops. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The train derailed in in the DMZ area; and amazingly, the train driver survived. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The “blue line” means you’re entering the DeMilitarized Zone. The DMZ, which roughly follows the 38th parallel, is 4 km wide (opposing forces pulled back 2 km from this line) and 245 km long, and splits the Korean peninsula roughly in half. Its area is about the size of Hong Kong. Photo by Nolan B.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We are now entering the DMZ.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This sign says 30 m to the no-fly zone – not sure who’s going to be able to read it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Called the “Iron Horse”, this train used to traverse the whole peninsula between Busan and Shineuiju. It is now a monument for reunification. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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1,180 km from Japan, 10, 034 km to New Zealand!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seen from the bridge, this commemorates Hyndai’s owner’s contribution of 1,001 pregnant cows to North Korea during the famine. Chung Ju-yung was born in North Korea and attempted multiple escapes from a life of farming. After many different types of jobs to make a living (labourer, construction worker, handyman, deliveryman, accountant), he eventually made enough money to start Hyundai. I knew it for cars, but apparently, it’s better known for being the largest shipbuilding company in the world!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n