DMZ

The DMZ (demilitarized zone) divides the korean peninsula along the 38th parallel north, the North and the South of Korea in half. It was created by agreement between North Korea, China and the United Nations in 1953 at the end of the korean war. Ironically the DMZ is the most heavily armed border in the world. It attracts a great deal of public interest and for this reason many agencies offers tours to the border. The DMZ and its viewpoints which reveal a glance into the Northern part of Korea is an ambivalent place. On the one hand the visitors long for peace since traveling to the border makes them realize the pain of separation more deeply and increases their wish for reunification and peace. On the other hand the border is exploited to remind them of the permanent threat from North Korea.