Day trip to the DMZ: facts and impressions on the most militarized border in the world

Despite its name, the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) is one of the most militarized borders in the world. For tourists it might seem like an exciting place to visit, but for Koreans it might be the nearest place where they can take a look at North Korean territory. I was surprised to find that the general Korean population knows little about the DMZ. When I attended a short course, the professor asked: How was the Korean peninsula divided? After 3 minutes a shy voice gave an answer. In 1945 both the Soviet Union and the United States commanders decided to divide Korea along the 38th parallel, 150 miles-long, for a short period of time in order to receive the surrendering Japanese soldiers.  

Photo source: http://www.earthnutshell.com/the-worlds-most-dangerous-border-a-tour-of-north-koreas-dmz/

At the time, neither the Soviet Union nor the United States had plans for the Korean peninsula as it was a small and poor country; their attention was on Europe. Korean leaders were divided in their aspirations for their country`s future. On one hand, the future North-Korean leader, Kim Il sung, was inspired by communist views. On the other hand, the future South-Korean leader, Lee Seung man, was anticommunist.

The soviet leader, Stalin, saw in Korea and Kim Il sung a potential ally. That was when he started to support Kim Il Sung’s regime and the construction of a new country, North Korea. Though the DMZ was an aleatory demarcation line, it bore great significance to the history of the Korean peninsula. In 1948, a new country was born under the name of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea in the north, while in the south, the Republic of Korea was built. The 38^th parallel became the official boundary between the two countries. As time passed both Koreas developed in different directions that made the unification process harder and harder

Photo source: http://www.pocketfives.com/f13/north-korea-south-korea-exchange-fire-over-demilitarized-zone-706405/

After the Korean War, the DMZ remained the same. Even though in 1953 both Koreas signed only an armistice, there was no peace treaty, indicating that both Koreas are still at war. Both in North and South Korea, the DMZ is heavily fortified with big contingents of North Korean troops on one side, and South Korean and UN troops on the other. From 1953 to present day there have been more than 50 serious incidents, and more than 500 South Korean soldiers, 50 US soldiers, and more than 400 North Koreans have lost their lives.

Photo source: http://domandhyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/koreandmz-infographic-copy2.jpg

These incidents include the ax murder incident at Panmunjom in 1976. Two US officers were killed by a North Korean soldier because they cut a poplar tree near the JSA in order to make that part clearer for the UN soldiers. The border became tenser. In 1974, North Korean tunnels were discovered along the DMZ; their construction suspected to be intended for an invasion of South Korea. However, North Korean authorities denied suspicions and said they were made for coal mining.

Photo source: http://jeffreymillerwrites.com/25th-anniversary-of-the-panmunjom-ax-murder-incident-part-1/#!lightbox/0/

This year in August, I had the chance to visit the DMZ while on a tour offered by the Korean Ministry of Unification. I had always wanted to visit, and was very excited. However, the moment I arrived at Panmunjom I became sad. I could see soldiers from two countries with a shared history and ancestry facing each other, ready to fight. The atmosphere was solemn. While tourists were excited to be in the most heavily militarized border in the world, the soldiers watched their counterparts intently. North Korea seemed to be so close and yet so far. We could see Chinese tourists that were waving at us from the North Korean side. After taking some photos we left Panmunjom and I am wondering if one day I could freely walk to North Korea from there… 

Even though I have lived in Korea for 2 years, I could tell that I have never really felt that Korea is a divided country that is still at war. With the exception of compulsory military service in South Korea, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed and each citizen carries on with their daily life.

However, Panmunjom reminded me that the Koreas are still at war. This visit made me think that the Korean peninsula`s issues such as North Korea`s nuclear program, military threats, et cetera are real problems that not only the government should pay attention to, but also us, the international community. After this visit I really think that this situation should come to its end and a new era of a reunified Korea should begin.

Photo source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/95/2c/17/952c17590b5d9da287d41cb72047f5d7.jpg

Supa de pui in stil coreean intr-o zi torida de vara 닭한마리

Vara aceasta in Coreea nu este deloc crutatoare. Pe langa caldurile toride, umiditatea este la cote alarmante...cel putin pentru mine :(. De aceea, astazi am fost sa manac supa de pui in stil coreean, care desi este fierbinte, este extrem de hranitoare si racoritoare.

Coreenii sunt un popor iubitor de mancare, iar acest lucru se reflecta in diversitatea mancarurilor pe care le prepara. Supa de pui in stil coreean este destul de simpla, ingredientele de baza fiind: pui, ceapa, usturoi, prajitura din orez (nu este dulce), insotita, desigur, de garnitura lor preferata si anume kimchi (varza chinezeasca murata in stil coreean).

De ce consider ca daca aveti drum in Coreea nu este bine sa ratati aceasta supa?

in primul rand, unii straini nu pot manca mancarea coreeana deoarece de cele mai multe ori fie este prea picanta, fie are un miros ciudat. Insa, aceasta supa poate fi pe gustul fiecaruia.

Restaurantul la care am fost este unul dintre cele mai populare restaurante care vand aceasta supa 닭한마리 iar pozitionarea sa fiind una centrala, ii ofera un avantaj in plus. Dongdaemun este unul dintre locurile impanzite de strainii dornici sa guste din cultura coreeana.

Iar pentru mine, a devenit unul dintre cele mai frecventate locuri.

Recomand cu caldura acest fel de mancare ^^

밖에서 더워도 닭한마리를 먹는거 아주 좋다고 생각하다. 시원하고 건강에 좋아서 추천함.

역시 한식은 짱이다 ㅋㅋ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IohoPAaxONs