Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Tours to the 'DMZ Peace Trail' opened to the public

While listening to the guide’s explanation, the visitors walked along the 2.7㎞-long barbed-wire coastal fences trail 

On April 27th, the DMZ Peace Trail in Goseong-gun County, Gangwon Province was opened to the public. It has just been one year since the leaders of the two Koreas agreed to make a substantive peace zone in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in the Panmunjom Declaration. One day earlier, President Moon Jae-in visited this trail, and his visit added significance. On the first day the trail was open, I joined the DMZ Peace Trail with the first visitors.   

The ‘DMZ Peace Trail’ delivers a symbolic message of wishing that the DMZ, which bears the scars of the war and is fraught with sorrow over national division, will be changed into a zone of peace. The iron gates to the fortified coastal road to the Unification Observatory in Goseong-gun opened at 10:30 a.m.,, at which point some 20 visitors took their first steps along the ‘DMZ Peace Trail.’ 

Walking along the 2.7㎞-long barbed-wire coastal fenced trail, the visitors listened to the guide who provided an explanation of its history, environment and geography. Visitors eyed the surrounding scenery with looks of excitement. Green forests and rosa rugosa spread out on the left side of the trail and a picturesque blue sea could be seen on the right. 

Civilian access to this area has been restricted for about 66 years, since the armistice signed at the end of the Korean War. Warning signposts all over the area reminded visitors of the fact that over two million landmines still exist in the DMZ. This also explains why a safety measure for visitors was suggested as an important precondition to the opening of the trail, in the planning stage of the DMZ Peace Trail program. 

Military coordinated closely with the United Nations Command to install safety structures

Prior to opening to the public, the military worked with the relevant organizations to take safety measures, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and local governments. 

Significantly, the military coordinated closely with the United National Command to open the barbed- wire coastal fences. The military conducted road maintenance and installed safety structures, including fences and decks. As well, special attention was paid to the preservation of the DMZ ecosystem by doing an environmental survey in advance and minimizing artificial development through the use of existing roads. Despite all of this, none of the visitors appeared to be inconvenienced.

The military also deployed three soldiers belonging to the commando regiment of the 8th Corps to guide the visitors at the front and the rear as they joined the DMZ Peace Trail tour. The soldiers kept their eyes on the visitors, keeping them from heading into areas with potential danger and guarding the surroundings throughout the tour.

Unlike the visitors, who were looking around with excitement, it was easy to see the tension on the faces of the soldiers. Kim Hyeon-hwan, chief of Tourism Policy Bureau of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism who was visiting that day, also expressed his appreciation for the military’s efforts to make full preparations for the safety of visitors.

After the walking course ended, the visitors boarded a bus to go to the Mount Kumgang Observatory. The Mount Kumgang Observatory has previously been opened to only a small number of people since it was first built in May 1992 as a DMZ security tour spot. 

At the Mount Kumgang Observatory, the visitors heard information about the wonderful natural views, including Chaeha Peak and Guseon Peak of Mount Kumgang, Haegeumgang River and Gamho, that were spread out before their eyes. When they came to the top of the observatory, a Republic of Korean guard post (GP) was the first thing that met the visitors’ eyes. Of the eleven GPs that were withdrawn from the DMZ on a trial basis in accordance with the Sept. 19 inter-Korean military agreement last year, this particular GP was selected for preservation due to its historic and symbolic value. Looking further, the visitors could see Mount Kumgang, whose peak was covered with white snow.

‘DMZ Peace Trail’ has two courses;

Course A starts from the Unification Observatory, on foot to the
Mount Kumgang Observatory and returns to the starting point by car. 
Course B is a car-based trail.

‘DMZ Peace Trail’ has two courses. In Course A, visitors begin their tour from the Unification Observatory, walk along the 2.7 kilometer long barbed-wire coastal fences before arriving at the Mount Kumgang Observatory by car, and return to the Unification Observatory. Course B is a car-based trail with the same route as Course A. Course B was designed for visitors who would have difficulty walking that distance.

The DMZ Peace Trail tour is offered twice daily - once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for each course - a total of four times, except on Mondays. The tour can accommodate up to 200 visitors a day. Anyone who wants to take the tour should apply in advance via Korea Tourism Organization’s mobility service website (www.durunubi.kr). Due to the high level of interest, visitors are being chosen by lottery. On the opening day, only about one out of every thirty-four applicants for the Course A trail was selected.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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