The DMZ

Or staring into the face of fanaticism.

First stop today was the War Memorial of Korea. It is a moving spot dedicated to all of those who gave their lives for Korea between 1950 and 1953. Every country that participated is represented either in the monument or the museum. It is interesting and incomprehensible that neither Korea participated in the talks that brokered the end of the hostilities and created the DMZ.

The War Memorial of Korea

Another view, from the bottom of the basin.

Inside the museum, a very peaceful room.

The DMZ Tour was a day well spent. Of twelve tunnels supposedly dug by the North Koreans to facilitate an invasion, four have been found and sealed. We walked down into Tunnel #3 and up to get out. 300 meters down an incline, 600 meters toward North Korea and then the 300 meters back up. NO problem for anyone! (No pictures were allowed in the tunnel - I guess my iPod went off on its own. Hmmmm.)

Tunnel #3

Legal picture, halfway back.

A tradition.

The DMZ itself is scary, yet peaceful and offers hope for reunification. The train tracks and roads are ready but apparently the hardliners need to die off first. Probably won't happen as the north spends billions on weapons, has 650,000 armed troops poised on the border, and a populace that is slowly starving to death all while believing the current dictator is a god.

Fall near the DMZ.

There is a line on the observation platform that cameras can not cross. I complied.

North Korea from behind the line.

Pretend city in North Korea. Propagandaville

Our guide was a U. S. soldier, all of nineteen and full of piss and vinegar who trusted his sidearm. We were within 75 feet of North Korea. The entire area is heavily mined and stepping off of any path could be the last step one ever takes. We behaved. No gestures. No peace signs. No fingers. Just looked.

















We also were taken to the Bridge of No Return, the spot where prisoners of war were repatriated and Koreans were forced to choose, north or south, with no hope of ever coming back.

The Bridge of No Return

We were fed Bibimbap for dinner. Meagan would be proud. Meagan's Blog
Back in Seoul, we walked the market one last time after dinner and bought Korean Oreos to celebrate Brian's birthday. Happy Birthday, Brian!