DMZ/JSA

Saturday August 4

Well today is my sister's birthday. Unfortunately neither myself or my dad were there to celebrate as he was still here with me in South Korea. Today was our last little venture before he had to fly on home, the DMZ/JSA. DMZ stands for The Demilitarized Zone, "a symbol of ideological dispute between North and South Korea". There is the Military Demarcation Line, which according to the Armistice Agreement, divides North and South Korea. Close to one million armed soldiers face each other along the line from both North and South Korea.

After making sure we were adhering to the dress code, we headed off with our bus load of other foreigners. Our first stop on the tour was the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. This tunnel was discovered in October 1978 when military soldiers came across an air pocket above ground. It penetrates 435 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line. They believe it's purpose was for a surprise attack into Seoul. No pictures were allowed inside the tunnel.

The next stop on our tour was the Dora Observatory where we could see both Daeseong-dong Village (South Korea's Freedom Village) and the Gijeong-dong Village (North Korea's propaganda village). The Freedom Village is home to the farmers who descended from the families that resided there before the Korean war. They get special treatment such as being exempt from military duty and they pay no taxes. But they also live by strict rules such as having a 11:00 nightly curfew. The counter part of this is the propaganda village. The village has only soldiers in residence and houses the world's largest flag tower flying the North Korean flag. That was an issue of some dispute as there is also one next to it from South Korea. North had to have the largest one however.

Our third stop was the JSA, or Joint Security Area for the U.N and North Korea. It is outside administrative control of South and North Korea. Both sides have 6 guard posts and 35 security guards reside inside. It is also known as Panmunjeom and it represents the partition of Korea. The guards stand with half of their bodies hidden behind the buildings to minimize the target if they are shot at.Since the ax murder incident soldiers are forbidden to cross to opposing sides. On August 18, 1976, a group of United Nations personnel were in the process of trimming a poplar tree in the DMZ. The tree was obstructing the view from a U.N. guard post. North Korean soldiers tried to stop the operation, and then proceeded to attack the U.N. personnel with axes. A captain, a lieutenant, and 4 Korean soldiers were killed. Just as many US Soldiers were wounded. A week later the offending poplar tree was cut and is now known as "Operation Paul Bunyan".

Our US military tour guide was awesome. He was energetic and very knowledgeable. In addition, he was also humorous. As we drove into North Korea his comment was, "You can update your location on Facebook now." Anyways...he told us about what became known as the bladder wars. The U.N. and North Korea were trying to decide how tall to make their flag poles so they could stop trying to beat each other and keep making larger poles. It took so long that they all had to pee but both sided refused to be the first ones to get up. Thinking if they did so they would lose. In the end they finally came to an agreement.



The soldiers are taught to stand this way; hands fisted at their sides, sunglasses on, and no expression. This is because they have learned to show no emotion. We are able to take pictures with them but we are not able to get closer than three feet.

 These flags were framed and put behind class because the originals were destroyed by the North Korean soldiers.

Dorasan Station is located in the Demilitarized Zone. It is not a working station but it serves as a beacon of hope for reunification on the Korean peninsula.A sign in the lobby reads, “Not the last station from the South, But the first station toward the North.” The station’s roof features clasped hands in a traditional pattern. It was built that way as an offering of hope for peace and eventual reconciliation between the two foes.

After leaving the JSA area we drove past the Bridge of No Return. We were not able to get out of the bus but I did manage to snag a pretty good image from the window. Prisoners of war were exchanged on this bridge after the Armistice Agreement in 1953. The name came from the fact that the prisoners that voluntarily chose to go back to North Korea could never return to South Korea.

This was what we had to drive through to get in and out. Many road blocks that requires the driver to zig - zag around the obstacles. Prevents a quick get-a-way.

On Sunday we wanted to check one of the most poplular tourist destintion in Seoul...Seoul Tower. Dad and I met up with couple of friends to experience the tower and then grab a bite to eat. It is located on Mt. Namsan. It offers a 360 degree view of the city and it first opened to the public in 1980.

On our way out of our hostel I decided to snap a couple of pictures of the hostel. Guest House 2. We ended up with two rooms because the first one smelled funny but they were nice enough to exchange them and it was a really nice place to stay.

Monday morning came and I had to say good bye to my dad and send him on his way. :'( And I had to head on back home to work. My second semester is almost over!



Mausoleum, Forbidden City, Flight‏

On our last day we had a little time in the morning before our flight that afternoon. Throughout our many trip through Tienanmen Square we pass the Mao Mausoleum numerous times. However, we were never able to go in because it is only open a couple of hours a day and the line becomes extremely long. We decided to get up early and see what it was about. As we were unable to take anything in with us (water bottle, bags, camera) dad and I each went in by turn. Mao Zedong was the founding leader of the People's Republic of China. Following his death, Mao's corpse was preserved for posterity and that is what is now shown to the public. As a sign of respect there is no speaking as they herd you in through the entrance, past the body, and out of the exit. "Chairman Mao goes to work everyday traveling from the nether world by elevator to be on display for tourist and faithful alike. At night his body retires after the last visitors have left to lie in an earthquake-proof chamber deep in the bowels of Tiananmen Square."

Next, we traveled into the Forbidden City. As this was the main residence and imperial palace for 24 emperors, do not ask us why we waited until the last day before our flight to hurry through it. We basically only had time to run from front to back snapping pictures. It was forbidden to enter without special permission from the Emperor. It is now known as the Palace Museum and is the largest palace complex.

It is surrounded by a 52-meter moat and a 10-meter-high wall. It is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. "It was said that a million workers including one hundred thousand artisans were driven into the  long-term hard labor. Stone needed was quarried from Fangshan District. It was said a well was dug every fifty meters along the road in order to pour water onto the road in winter to slide huge stones on ice into the city. Huge amounts of timber and other materials were freighted from faraway provinces."

Upon leaving the palace a very obnoxious man on a moped rickshaw followed us a block trying to get us to go for a ride with him. After a long debate my dad and I decided to take him up on his offer. Although we said back and forth that it was only going to 3yen, he refused the money before we got in. As we were in a hurry to get back so that we could catch our flight he was supposed to drop us off near the square so we could walk back to our hotel. That is NOT what happened however. When he finally did stop it was in some isolated ally and he demanded 300yen. After a slight altercation, that I wasn't sure if it would turn into blows or not, we managed to talk him down to 150yen and got the 'hell out of dodge.' As it turns out we were just as far away as when we got into the rickshaw. But we were safe and made it to the airport on time. And ate at one more western resteraunt before flying out of China.

 Here is another newbie for me. We checked in and arrived at the gate. At which point they hearded us into a van. After a 1/2 wait there, they drove us onto the tarmack. I have never boarded a plane outside of the airport before so that was really neat. Got back to Seoul quickly and easily. Back to speedy internet and easy transportation!!! An easy relaxing bus ride from the airport and we arrived at our hostel.