Sunday, April 5, 2009

DMZ TOUR

Thursday I called in sick to school , so that Lauren and I could go on our DMZ tour. We were up at 4:15 a.m. because we had to be to the USO office in Yongsan by 7:00 a.m. The bus left at 7:30 a.m. and we headed on our journey to the DMZ, which I was really anxious for, but a bit scared for at the same time.
Since there are loads of pictures I took. I will just post some pictures with descriptions about each one below for you to enjoy.
The countries involved in the United Nations Command.
The scariest and most surreal part of the tour. We went to the Freedom House and before we went in we were briefed on just how close NK was and how one false move and...BANG we were dead. The blue buildings belong to ROK and the building across the way is NK. The Korean People's Army (KPA) soldier on duty. It was crazy to think that we were being watched on three sides by NK soldiers who could attack at any moment. It was time for a picture of me at the JSA and so close to NK. I believe I may have been shaking at this point from the cold and the intensity of the situation. Our tour guide, positioned next to a ROK soldier who guards this room 24/7, told us a brief overview of Panmunjeom and how these buildings are reserved strictly for political engagements. "It is here where the historical signing of the Armistice Agreement took place between Communist forces and the United Nations Command (UNC) in 1953 after a succession of peace talks that lasted more than two years." We were told we could take pictures with the ROK soldiers, but if we touched them they would basically kick our asses. They stand in taekwondo ready position, so they can attack/be ready for an attack at any time. I was extremely scared of tripping and falling into him, so I stood a ways back for the picture. I'm also standing on the North Korea side of the room... *P.S. The door behind this ROK soldier leads right into North Korea.*
It's hard to believe that this small piece of wood divides the North from the South. Inside the blue building I was on the NK side of the piece of wood...Intense?? I think so.
This is the tallest flagpole in the world, in Kijong-dong. "During the 1980s, the South Korean government built a 98.4 metre (328 ft) tall flagpole in Daeseong-dong. The North Korean government responded by building a taller one...the tallest in the world at 160 metres (525 ft) in Kijong-dong.
The spot where the famous 'Tree Killing Event' took place. It caused tensions to resurface once again in 1976 when North Korean guards killed two American soldiers a short distance away from Panmunjeom. One of those soldiers was Arthur Bonifas. Himself, Captain Kim and 11 personnel went into the JSA to trim the poplar tree that blocked CP #3's view of NK. After trimming began, 15 to 16 KPA soldiers appeared demanding the trimming stop. Cpt. Bonifas ignored the orders. Using axes dropped by the tree-trimmers, the KPA forces attacked the two U.S. soldiers, Capt. Bonifas and Lt. Barrett, and wounded all but one of the UNC guards.We were mere meters away from the Bridge Of No Return.
"It was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953. The name originates from the fact that prisoners were given the choice to remain in the country of their captivity or cross over to the other country. But if they chose to cross the bridge, they would never be allowed to return." The last stop on the tour was, The Third Tunnel of Aggression. We were not allowed to take pictures while inside the tunnel.
Instead we enjoyed taking pictures outside. "Victory" for South Korea...one day...maybe. Lauren gives kisses to the ROK soldier standing guard. Lauren and I pushing the world together...however, I don't think it worked. Description of The Third Tunnel: It is located only 44 km (27 mi) from Seoul and was discovered in October 1978. "It is apparently designed for a surprise attack on Seoul from North Korea, and can easily accommodate a full division per hour along with their weaponry." It was discovered by a South Korean soldier in the 1970's. "The South Koreans have blocked the actual Military Demarcation Line in the tunnel with three concrete barricades."
When we finished at the DMZ I decided to take Lauren to Insa-dong since we were already in Seoul and close enough to that area. It is the best place to buy souvenirs and it's one of the oldest areas of Seoul, so it was important that I took her to see it. After, Insa-dong we headed to Dongdaemun market for a few hours, but we weren't overly impressed and a lot of the shops were closing, so we decided to call it a night and make the long train trek home.

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