The DMZ
- Pat P
- Apr 5, 2024
- 1 min read
While I’d like to make light of The DMZ and include a reference to the Kdrama Crash Landing on You, there isn’t anything funny about it. The demilitarized zone was created in 1953 after an armistice agreement was hammered out by China, North Korea, and the United Nations. This was preceded by a war in which North Korea invaded South Korea to reunify the two countries under communist rule. Since then four secret tunnels constructed by The North Koreans have been found that go under the DMZ and extend into South Korea. Our group was lucky enough to walk through Tunnel #3, which was about 500 feet underground. We took a tram through a steep tunnel to get to it. It was not for anyone who didn’t like enclosed spaces, that’s for sure! It was a wet, soggy walk in a tiny, enclosed space. I was glad I had to wear a helmet as I hit my head several times on some interior scaffolding. Cameras were not allowed, and I don’t have any pictures that show what it was really like.
This day trip to the DMZ was especially poignant considering our world today. As much escape and pleasure Kdramas give us, it’s always good to remember what is REALLY happening in many parts of planet earth. ~ Pat
From studies I've seen it appears that younger folks in Korea are less interested in reunification than older folks. Naturally you should take this with a grain of salt but it makes sense that those who lived through the Korean war would be more sensitive to this issue than those who have not. The separation of families is certainly very sad.
Travel is truly the purist immersive experience to understand history. Did you get the sense that there is hope for reunification....ever?
So interesting, and of course, sobering.
Thanks for sharing. It must’ve been a sobering experience
It's strange, though, how they have those colorful block letters that say DMZ. Looks kind of playful!