DMZ

On November 1st I took a trip to the DMZ.  This is probably the closest I'll ever get to North Korea, that's if I'll ever have the guts to take a trip over there.

 

ImjinGak

ImjinGak is as far as civilians can go to the North by themselves without permission.  Imjingak was built to console those who had to leave their homes in the North. 

The 3rd Tunnel

This was first discovered in 1978, was dug by North Korea to infiltrate into the south.  It is 2m in width, 2 m in height, 1,635m in length, and 435 m from MDL.  The floor of the tennel is covered with rubger mats and the wall with charcoal which was applied to give some possibility to the North Korean claim that the tunnel was part of an abandoned mine.  The tunnel would allow about 10,000 armed or 30,000 unarmed soldiers to invade Seoul within one hour.

 

Dora Observatory

This allows visitors to get a view of both the DMZ and the Kesung city (the second largest city of North Korea).  You can also see a "Propaganda village" Kijongdong designed to give visitors the impression the North Korea is a prosperous nation.

 

If you want to take pictures, you can only take pictures at a certain distance, I guess they don't want tourists taking pictures of the village. 

I'd have to say, I was a bit disappointed about the DMZ trip.  I guess I thought it would have been more intense, maybe seeing more soldiers with guns walking around or something.  My favourite part about the trip was walking through the 3rd tunnel, it's so interesting to see it and experience it in person.