A new bicycle tour along the heavily fortified Civilian Control Line near the Demilitarized Zone in Gyeonggi will be opened to both South Koreans and foreigners starting tomorrow.

The tour, organized by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, will take place every fourth Sunday of the month. The 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) bicycle course will start from Imjin Pavilion and pass the Unification Bridge in Paju and the Tongilchon Intersection before coming back to Imjin Pavilion.

This area along the Civilian Control Line, which runs five to 20 kilometers south of the DMZ, had been closed to the public, except farmers and residents of the area, since 1953, when the Korean War ended with an armistice, but is now being opened for this bicycle tour.

"The DMZ has been chosen as the No. 1 tourist destination [in Korea] for foreigners and is the leading tourist attraction of the northern Gyeonggi region with over 5 million people visiting Imjin Pavilion yearly," said the provincial tourism organization through an official release.

"We intend to make this DMZ bicycle tour a landmark program for the DMZ area," said an official at the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. The official added that because the tour course does not cross the DMZ line, the route poses no danger to tourists.

The Gyeonggi tourism office began pilot bicycle tours in the area in February. It said that in the future, if it receives the Defense Ministry¡？s approval, it plans to increase the frequency of the tours to twice a month and lengthen the bicycle course to up to 25 kilometers.

Those who wish to participate in the tours will need to submit applications online (http://ethankyou.co.kr). The site is available in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. The cost is 10,000 won ($8.80) per person and each tour will be able to accommodate up to 300 people. For more information, call 031-952-7805.

The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization said that all spots for the tour this Sunday have been filled.

By Cho Jae-eun [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2920501

 

Wishing for peace in the zone where the gunfire has

ceased

A walk along the iron railings in the DMZ
(Demilitarized Zone) with the Infantry Division “KEY” in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do

I arrived in the Infantry Division “KEY,” situated in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, at 12:05p.m., a little bit after lunchtime. As I arrived later than scheduled, I headed for the mess hall first to taste an army meal. This experience program was joined by more than 80 students from 4 middle schools in Yeoju. These days, most schools offer meal services, so the students didn’t feel awkward about eating food in a tray that was divided into different compartments. Well, the students were in for a surprise, because there was something strange about the way that the food was served that no one really noticed until they sat down.

Article and photos by Jeong Cheol-Hoon 

Chopsticks were nowhere to be found in the distribution area, nor on the tables. Nowhere. Only when they realized this did the students become interested in the spoons, which they had accepted before without any thought. The students had received these utensils, thinking that they were just spoons, but now realized that the utensil had a very peculiar form, which was like a combination of a spoon and a set of chopsticks. There was loud laughter everywhere, as the students became interested in this unique utensil. Their chatter over the multipurpose gadget that they could use to serve rice, eat soup and pick up Gimchi continued for a long time. Filled with the liveliness of teenagers, they also talked much about the army meal that they tasted for the first time. The general appreciation of the military meal, a Korean dish called “Zzambap,” was good. Of course, there were also those who gave low marks for the food. Maybe it was because the tastes of those students, used to instant foods, did not agree with the relatively rough taste of steamed rice. Anyway, they finished their meal all at once, and looked very cheerful. It seemed as though they were pleased to taste the “Zzambap,” about which they had heard people talking often. They washed their own food trays and spoons, and returned them before going out of the hall in groups.

The next place the students visited after gathering together again on the drill ground was the barracks of the private soldiers. To the adults present who had served in the military, there was nothing new about this, but to the third-year middle school students, it was all quite new and interesting. In particular, there were many questions about the bulletproof helmets. They wanted to know whether or not bullets really could not penetrate the helmet, and why it is called “Haiba.” Their questions continued. Soldiers explained that the new bulletproof helmet supplied to our Armed Forces can protect a soldier against 7.62 mm bullets, and is even better than the one used by American soldiers. They added that the word “Haiba” is not jargon, but originated from the word “fiber,” which is used for the production of bulletproof helmets.

All of this was interesting for the students, and at the same time, the soldiers looked pleased, as well. They kindly answered all questions, with each soldier surrounded by a small group of students. Students asked the soldiers if they could try on the bulletproof helmets, which the soldiers gave them a chance to do. They also showed the young visitors the proper way to give a formal salute. All of them looked very close to one another, as if they were speaking with their younger brothers. The students in full kit, somewhat awkward in their movements, attempted to make correct salutes with bulletproof helmets on their heads and cartridges around their waists. Behind them, the laughter of the soldiers resounded through the room.

At the same time, on the drill ground, other soldiers were busy preparing for the inspection visit of the students. The barracks experience program, which was planned together with the program “Walking along the iron railings in the DMZ,” was to include visits to a tank battalion, artillery battalion and infantry battalion of the 5th Infantry Division. The visit program was subject to change, depending on the situation of each unit.

Today, they visited an artillery battalion of the 5th Infantry Division. It was spectacular just to see all the weapons arranged in a row on the drill ground. There were some personal firearms like rifles K1, K2 and K3, the anti-aircraft firearm MG50, and even a 105 mm towed gun, showing the power of the artillery unit. In addition to the firearms, there were other pieces of equipment used in actual military units, such as gas masks and observation equipment. I felt like staying in the military equipment exhibition hall.

The interest of the students was overwhelmingly focused on the firearms. Among them, they best liked the bulky and heavy 105 mm towed gun. The students, seeing guns for the first time, were engrossed in looking at the gun barrel and turning the steering wheel, with great curiosity. The soldiers told us that the gun’s maximum rapidity of fire is 15 rounds per minute, and the shooting rage is 18 km. To this day, it is one of the main firearms of our artillery.

The anti-aircraft firearm MG50 was popular among the students as well. Invented in the 1930s, the MG50 is the most popular heavy machine gun in the world. During World War II, this firearm was famous for its strong firepower. With the exception of tanks, it could destroy all kinds of armored cars and vehicles. But now, the machine gun shown on the drill ground is just an object of the students’ curiosity. There were explanations on how to disassemble, assemble and operate the MG50. The students personally attempted to load the gun, but it was not as easy as they thought. A soldier showed us easily how to load the gun, but it wasn’t as easy for the students. In fact, they couldn’t move the charging handle at all, making some of them feel shamed.

After the visits, the students hurried to get on the car to go to the “Key Observatory.” They were continuing to the program “Walking along the iron railings in the DMZ.” Before the experience program in the DMZ, the group stayed at the Key Observatory, where they heard explanations on the DMZ and the topography of the northern regions that can be seen from the observatory for about 30 minutes. After the briefing, ribbons in all colors were distributed to the students, and they headed for the iron railings after writing their wishes on the ribbons. The moment the wooden gate between the Key Observatory and the GOP (General Outpost) was opened, the students, who had previously been laughing and noisy, became quiet and tense. The DMZ was overgrown with primeval forests, and the iron railings installed in front of the zone could be seen as the gate opened slowly. The thin ribbons hung by other students who had visited before them were fluttering in the wind. They could read the little wishes written on the ribbons of the previous visitors: “We want the reunification of our country,” “For the day we all become one,” and others. For more than half a century, the DMZ has been the symbol of division, but at this moment, it was being reborn as a PLZ (Peace & Life Zone). I was thinking that the way along the iron railings that separate North and South Korea, this unique place in the world, could be a way for peace.

The students walked about 1 km through the very steep stairs, the so-called “Stairway to Heaven,” and a meandering unpaved road. The walk was hard, and the students sweated a lot. But none of them complained that it was too difficult. Maybe it was because they well understood the historical significance of the place and the road on which they were walking.

Information

For the use of DMZ tourism products, reservations through DMZ Tour (www.dmztourkorea.com) and the tourism reservation site of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (www.ethankyou.co.kr) are requested. The fee for the one-day course that includes the visits to barrack rooms and the Key Observatory is as follows: Adults 37,000 won, Youth 35,000 won, Children 32,000 won.    Contact: 02-706-4851.     

Freedom Bridge • ‘The Freedom Bridge’ was named after the 12,773 prisoners of the Korean War returned to the land of Freedom over this bridge in 1953.

This bridge has the symbolic meaning of a return to freedom and a wall full of messages for unification can be found at the end of the bridge.

LOCATION Majeong-ri and Samok-ri, Munsan-eup, Paju

Hours 09:00~19:00 (Winter: until 18:00; closed on holidays and Mondays) Admission Free

Tel 82-31-953-4744(Imjingak Tourist Information) / 82-31-953-7455(Imjingak Souvenir Shop)

 

Third Infiltration Tunnel in DMZ • The 3rd infiltration tunnel discovered in 1978 is located 12km from Munsan and 52km from Seoul. Since 2002, this site welcomes tourists with a modern DMZ

Visual Hall,Symbolic Sculptures and Souvenir Shop.

Dora Observatory • The northernmost observatory in the South that allows tourists to get their closest glimpse of North Korea. From the Dora Observatory, visitors can view some city areas of

Gaeseong, Songhaksan(Mt.), a bronze statue of Kim Il-Seong and the Gaeseong Industrial Complex. In 2007, the German rock band Scorpions visited here to offer earnest wishes for peace and unification.

 

Doransan Station • The northernmost station in South Korea on the Gyeongui Line at which Dorasan (Mt.) and the barbed wire fence of the Southern Limit Line (SLL) can be viewed. In 2002,

President George W. Bush and President Kim Dae-Jung visited here together and sent a peace message to the North. Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, gave a peace lecture here.

 

DMZ Tour Bus

Visitors can tour the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dorasan Station and Dora Observatory to truly absorb the sad, painful reality of a divided nation.

Hours 2-hour 30-minute tour departs from Imjingak.

Tel 82-31-953-4744 (Imjingak Tourist Information)

URL http://tour.pajuro.net

 * A picture ID (passport) must be presented.

Gaeseong Tour

One of the top four tourist attractions in Korea chosen by the BBC. Gaeseong was a capital of the Goryeo Dynasty for 500 years. It is approximately 70km from Seoul (2 hours by car) and 8km from Panmunjeom. The Gaeseong Tour is popular as a day tour. The tour begins at the Customs Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) in the south of Dorasan.

Tel 82-2-3669-3000

URL http://www.ikaesong.com

 

Seonjukgyo (Bridge) • A stone bridge where the Goryeo Dynasty statesman Jeong Mong-Ju was murdered by agents of Yi Bang-Won. Both the remaining bloodstains and the fine bamboo that grew on the spot caused the bridge to be called ‘Seonjukgyo.’

Tongilgwan • A large restaurant in downtown Gaeseong where tradition and modernity shake hands Tourists lunch here.

 

Goryeo Museum (Seonggyungwan) • A Seonggyungwan building which was known by the name ‘Gukjagam’ (the highest educational institution) during the Goryeo period. Approximatety 1,000

Goryeo items are displayed in four exhibition halls.

North Korean national treasure items are also displayed here.

 

Bagyeon Waterfall • Natural Monument No.388 in North Korea. This is one of the top 3 waterfalls on the Korean peninsula along with Guryong Waterfall in Geumgangsan(Mt.) and Daeseung Waterfall in Seoraksan(Mt.).

the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/travel/destination/destinationList.jsp

Exchange status about reunion_Reunion of families separated

1) The 1st reunion of families separated

Status of the 1st visiting group  
 
The Korean Government & The Korean National Red Cross Society(KNRC) prepared for selecting of the visiting group since exchange of families separated was reached an agreement around 15 August through South & North Korea Joint Declaration executed on 15th June. First of all, the selected committee was composed of 12 persons who are chose from the experts of the body related with families separated, the government, the press, the academic world, the women world, and the legal world on 22 June, 2000. and the secretary general of KNRC was appointed as a chairman of a committee  




Since an exchange schedule of visiting group was confirmed through the 1st Red Cross Conference, The selection committee was composed and it selected the 1st candidates, 400 persons in public by a computer on the basis of age, family relationship, application in the past with the principle of justice, clearness, and trust. The dead or unhealthy of them were sorted out and finally 200 candidates were selected for the inquiry of living and dying or address to North Korea.
The list of 200 candidates was delivered through South and North Liaison on 16 July. South Korean opened to the public the list of 200 candidates given by North Korea and 198 persons of them were verified in a short period. Also, 138 out of 200 persons were confirmed in North Korea. The final visiting group of 100 was fixed on the basis of age and family relationship by the result from North Korea. After that, South and North Korea exchanged the list of visiting group on 8 Aug., 2000.

Item The 1st Visiting Group Period Aug., 2000 (3nights & 4days) Size 151 persons on each side (1 leader, 100 families separated, 30 supporters, 20 journalists) Leader South : Jang, Chung-Sik, the president (KNRCS) North : Ryu, MIi-Young, the chairman of a central committee of Cheongwoodang, Cheondokyo, Exchange Route An air route Visiting Place Exchange in Seoul & Pyeongyang simultaneously

2) The 2nd reunion of families separated

Status of the 2nd visiting group
 

Exchanging schedule of the 2nd visiting group was confirmed in the 2nd Red Cross Conference held during 2~4 Nov. 2000. A government opened the selection committee and decided the standard of selection for the 2nd visiting group exchange.The aged, who are more than 70 years, are prior to all others for selecting of 2nd visiting group.
South Korea confirmed 195 out of 200 persons who North Korea inquired and North Korea verified 162 out of 200 persons. After that, South and North Korea exchanged the list of the final visiting group, 100 persons on 18 Nov.

Item The 2nd Visiting Group Period 2 Dec.~30 Nov., 2000 (2nights & 3days) Size South : 151 persons (1 leader, 100 families separated, 30 supporters, 20 journalists) North : 136 persons (1 leader, 100 families separated, 20 supporters, 15 journalists) Leader South : Bong, Du-Wan, the president (KNRCS) North : Jang, Jae-Eon, the chairman of a central committee Exchange Route An air route Visiting Place Exchange in Seoul & Pyeongyang simultaneously

the source - http://www.dmz.ne.kr/

Outline of Exchange & cooperation

Exchange & cooperation between South and North Korea had started with Declaration on 7 July, 1988. It had made a great deal of efforts to settle down exchange & cooperation between South and North by government or non-government. Also, it has been a motive power in solving distrust and recovering the same nature, which have continued since division into two parts. As the tension between South and North was eased and peace atmosphere was built up through economy exchange and cooperation on the basis of the foundation of National economy joint body, the relationship between South and North has developed in a practical way.

Government of people embodied active steps of South and North Economy Cooperation in 30 April, 1998 as it is important to activate exchange & cooperation for peace/reconciliation/cooperation between South and North Korea.

Exchange of human and material resources has Increased in an alarming way thanks to reconciliation and cooperation policy to the north on the basis of exchange and cooperation, such as active measures of economic cooperation. Especially the exchange is going into the stage of stability in strengthening in terms of variety and depth since South and North summit conference held in June, 2000.
South government believes that exchange and cooperation should be conducted on the basis of the people's sympathy, so that it made an effort for reflection of the opinion
from the people. Also, it exerted itself to clear the policy for example, reporting in advance to the National Assembly about using of south and north cooperation fund.
Ceremony of connection between railroad and highway of the Gyeongui line and the Donghae line was held. 400,000 ton food was supported and confirmed its distribution. The foundation of economic cooperation was built with the beginning of effectuation of mutual agreement of economic cooperation. A groundbreaking ceremony of Gaeseong industrial complex was held and Mt. Geumgang sightseeing by land became possible.


ther source - http://www.dmz.ne.kr/

Status of exchange through the 3rd party_Reunion of families separated

Exchange of family separated by a private organization through the 3rd country has been proceeded little by little since the Declaration on 7 July, 1988. Government of people declared ‘Support plan for promoting of separated family’s reunion’ on 2 Mar., 2000 to solve the matter of family separated and to promote exchange of separated family by a private organization.

Exchange of family separated by a private organization has been on the increase in an exceeding way. As a result of such a government’s support. 1,6648 contact between separated family of South and North Korea was approved. 4672 persons, 28 percents of them, confirmed through the 3rd country and 974 families met in another country.

Exchange by a private organization has accomplished through the good offices of many bodies, such as brothers in foreign countries, domestic private group, the press. Although most of intermediation countries were U.S, Canada, or Japan in the early days, the exchange through China is the main current in these days.

Such an exchange through another country is accompanied with the problems; separated family’s relationship with foreign country, economic capability for expenses, or the safety of a concerned party.

Government has given recognition to contact with residents of North Korea to private or organization agency for the separated family’s exchange through other country since 1993. As a result, exchange between the separated family became easy and inexpensive. 120-exchange agencies for the family reunion have been active at the end of Dec.,

the source - http://www.dmz.ne.kr/

Efforts for reunion of separated family_Reunion of families separated


Separated family was generated by special circumstances between South and North Korea; 1945 liberation, the partition of the Korean Peninsula, followed by a cold war period. As separated family has got older and older with the passage of half of century since the division into the two, the matter of separated family must be settled without delay.

Government of people regards the solution of separated family between South and North Korea as the first subject to be solved and has kept making every efforts to accomplish it. Especially, government made an strong express of regulation and organization of separated family’s exchange in order to resolve in a radical way for example, confirmation of living, dying, or an address & correspondence & family reunion, etc.. It has consulted with North Korea about the matter through the South-North Authorities Meeting or Talks between the South and North Korean Red Cross Society and insisted on cooperation to North Korea.

6.15 South_North Joint Declaration in June, 2000 became the beginning of a solution for reunion between South and North Korea by exchanging family and relatives group who have separated. After that, confirmation of living, dying, or an address & correspondence were able to carry out through the South and North Minister-level Meeting or Talks between South and North Korean Red Cross Society. The actual results about exchanges are distinguished. Around 5,400 persons have met their family or relatives over 5 times of reunion of separated family and the question of living or dying for 11,8482 persons have been solved through 2 times of confirmation work. Also, each 300 persons of South and North Korea have exchanged letters. Exchange between separated families in another country, which is organized by a private agency, have been activated and expanded in terms of quality and quantity thanks to an administrative and financial support of government. As a result, the exchange has been increased.

The reunion of separated family carried out in Mt. Geumgang two times in 2002 and some advanced measures were decided by the presidents in the 4th Talks between the South and North Korean Red Cross Society, which are to establish a meeting place in Mt. Geumgang and to build another meeting place in the western area in case of connection of railroad and highway of the Gyeongui line. Therefore, it made a foundation to solve the problem of separated family in a systematic way including a regular visiting and reunion.

Government is planning to focus on solving systematic problems regarding a building and control of a meeting place, the confirmation of living and dying, and exchanging of letters on the basis of an exchanging project, which has been done. Government is expecting to plan and fulfill concrete practicable measures through the South and North Korean meeting, such as Talks between the South and North Korean Red Cross Society.


the source - http://www.dmz.ne.kr/