FFF (9)- DMZ Facts

Amid the visit of Brandon's parents (엄마 and 아빠) came the ever so "dangerous" and much anticipated visit to the DMZ.  Although the DMZ is located only 44 kilometers north of Seoul, a visit to the DMZ is actually quite pricey, as you must be on an organized tour to view the sought after land. 

With mentioning the DMZ, it would be shameful if I failed to mention the history behind the 38^th parallel, especially as most Americans are ignorant to the rich history behind this precious land.

In 1911, with Japan lurching over Korea by means of a small ocean way, the undersized, military occupied Korea was forced to submit to the ever growing, economically thriving Japanese government.  Although treacherous, the strong-willed Koreans survived through the Japanese occupation, which lasted until 1945.

There is no irony between the end of World War II, with America’s domination of Japan by means of the one and only Atomic Bomb, and the end of the Japanese occupation in Korea.  Following the war, the victorious Allies, Russia and the U.S., rewarded themselves with taking a piece of “Japan”- Korea.  Split at the 38^th parallel, Russia received the north and the U.S. the south. 

But let’s not forget the tantalizing Cold War.  Beginning in 1948, as tensions between the once allies grew, Korea was officially split into North and South Korea.  As the Soviets became greedy, the USSR and North Korea attacked the South on June 25, 1950.  With American forces behind them the South was able to rally and eventually push the North back to its current position, at the 38^th parallel.

Beginning on July 27^th, 1953 an armistice was signed between the North and the South.  The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was formed, with 2 kilometers on either side of the border forbidding weapons.  This “no man's land” is a well protected area, in which nearly no Koreans live.  South Korea actually rewards its citizens, such as no taxes, if they chose to inhabit this region, although only 250 residents have taken their country up on this ever so inviting enticement.

Progression of the Korean War. (Wikipedia)

Alright, enough with the history lesson.  Throughout the morning, our lovely tour guide shared a wealth of Korean fun facts, which I immediately made mental notes of, just to share with my faithful readers!

Fact:  Korea is the only divided nation in the world today.

Fact: The DMZ is a natural reserve, particularly for many endangered species, such as the Red-crowned Crane, White-naped crane, Korean Tiger, Amur leopard and Asiatic black bear.

Fact:  A railway was built between North Korea and South Korea to unify the two countries.  However, come opening day, after hours of labor and millions of dollars spent, the North changed their minds- one of many teases that has floated south over the past 57 years.

Fact- Cheonggyecheon, small stream that intersects a portion of Seoul, was once a trashcan for its residents.  So the president decided to place a concert slab over the stream in an attempt to prevent littering.  However, when the current Korean president, Lee Myung Bak, was the mayor of Seoul, he decided to unveil the stream, to, ironically, make the city more appealing to the eyes.  This stream was the center of the Lantern Festival that we attended with Brandon’s 엄마 and  아빠.

Fact:  South Korea really wants unification; however, the north is too stubborn and needs to get their heads out of their bootays to realize that without South Korea and the rest of the world, they will all probably die of starvation (there may be some opinion in that fact… you decide).