Korean Demilitarized Zone - DMZ
It is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsular that serves as a buffer zone between the North and South Korea
I've learnt more about North Korea from this trip
The first Stop: The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
As pictures are not allowed in the tunnel hence i will have to describe it here
The tunnel was built by the North Koreans in order for them to launch an attack on South Korea
The infiltration tunnel we visited was discovered by SK in 1978 & is one of the 5 tunnels built
This tunnel is the most dangerous among the 5 as it is the nearest to Seoul
How did SK find out about the tunnel?
A guy (forgot who and what) realised that NK is digging this 3rd tunnel and informed SK
However, the exact location of the tunnel was unknown so SK govt inserted water pipes into the ground.
One day, one of the water pipes showed water movements (due to the dynamites in the tunnel)
and... the thus the tunnel was discovered. SK immediately dug towards it to stop NK from building it further.
However, NK denied that they were the ones who dug the tunnel
But apparently, evidences showed that they were the culprits
1) the holes used to hold the dynamites were facing SK
2) the tunnel slopes upward as it progresses towards SK
- this is to allow water to flow out into NK
In the end, the NK said that the tunnel was for coal mining
They painted the tunnel black but what we saw was granite. They painted the granite black.
The tunnel is about 1635m long and about 150m underground
Engteck has problems entering and leaving the tunnel as he was too tall
haha... as for me, i can run in it... and thus they concluded that the soldiers in NK are as short as me coz they had to run in the tunnel in full kit when they attach SK.
It was really a great experience but we can feel the tense situation when we were in the tunnel
The tour guide warned us not to jump in the tunnel as we might 'activate' the mines
And i concluded that if NK really attack SK using the 3rd tunnel, visitors will be the first to die
This tunnel is also known as a gift from NK coz SK is now using it as a tourist attraction
2nd Stop: Dora Observatory
Village of Freedom (SK) and Propaganda Village (NK)
1) SK still live at the village of freedom altho it's dangerous coz it's their hometown so they are given privileges.
It is a Free Tax and Free Military zone which means they dun pay tax, they dun have to serve the army.
2) Propaganda Village is said to be a ghost village as no one lives there. it is built to give SK an impression that they are living well
See the two flags and their villages below
3rd Stop: Dorasan Station
It is the last train station in South Korea
Soon, it'll be the first train station to North Korea
when? *shrugs*
They planned to build a railway that runs from SK to NK to China to Europe
Heez.... we got ourselves nice Dorasan stamps on our passports
The only bus we can take to visit the places
and Amy, from Holland but residing in Singapore and having holiday in Seoul
I wanna join another tour to be closer to North Korea before i leave.
Yuexin and Yuehui, let's go together?
Btw yuehui, it's the Hi Seoul Festival now and we saw Lee Min Woo from Shinhwa
nah... for u...
and yuehui... i can bring u to the chicken shop owned by shinhwa
