Demilitarized Zone or DMZ

On Tuesday we got a chance to visit the DMZ or Demilitarized zone separating North from South Korea. Our tour guide U.S. military officers led us through a building called Freedom House. Freedom house was originally built so that South Korean and North Korean families could reunite for a short amount of time. However, it was never used for it's intended purpose because the North Korean government does not let it's citizens leave North Korea. I find this to be rather disturbing, just imagine if in the United States the government prevented persons from traveling not only out of the country but outside of their city or state. As someone who loves to travel, I could not imagine being restricted from doing so or even punished for something so simple. It made me think about all of the freedoms that I and I know many other Americans take for granted. Past the Freedom House, we were then escorted to the back of the building and into one of the barracks were the actual peace talks or cease fire between NK and SK occurred which eventually ended the Korean War. We took pictures with the South Korean soldiers who looked rather intimidating with their dark glasses and balled up fists. We were told that most of the soldiers are trained black belts in Tai Kwan Doe and were the glasses so that they do not have to make eye contact with North Korean soldiers. I stood on the wrong side of the room and was told I was now in North Korea (don't tell my mom! lol).

Next we visited the 3rd Tunnel which was discovered in 1978, only 52 KM from Seoul. The North Koreans claimed that they did not construct the tunnel, and claim South Koreans built the tunnel to invade NK. However, the tunnel flows the wrong way and could not possibly have been built by the South. After, they did admit that they in fact built the tunnel but not to invade SK but to mine coal, there is no coal in that area of Korea lol. I found that pretty interesting. We climbed down the tunnel which was wet, uncomfortable and the air was really tight. I was only in the tunnel for 30 -40 mins at the most but i could only imagine the people who had to build the tunnel and how uncomfortable and dangerous it was to be in this tunnel for hours and hours on end. The climb back up from the tunnel was most unbearable and i felt myself become short of breath. The walk up was worst than climbing the Great Wall lol, Professor Bowman had to wait with me while i sat for a minute or two lol.

Overall, the tour of the DMZ was an interesting experience. Being in South Korea, I have learned more than I ever knew about the Korean War. This war really is one of the most overlooked wars in American and World History. It's touching to see how the division of one nation even years after the seperation is still a painful topic for many Koreans, who wish to be reunited with the North. Just think what if the Northern and Southern states had never reunited in the US, we would be in a similary situation as what is the case in Korea.




Cecilia A. Ndounda