New tourist activity: Hiking the DMZ in a bullet-proof vest
A new hiking trail is about to open offering a unique perspective of inter-Korean ‘peace.’
This month hikers can ramble along no man’s land – the notorious demilitarized zone separating North and South for more than 65 years.
The South Korean government agreed a budget to create a number of walking trails within the 2.5 mile wide DMZ buffer zone, and the US military-led United Nations Command (UNC) has now approved it after a safety analysis.
The first hiking trail could open as early as this weekend in the east coast border town of Goseong, one of three ‘DMZ Peace Trail’ sites proposed by the government.
Two other sites being looked at are Cheorwon county in Gangwon Province and a trail near the western city of Paju.
UNC said the Korean military has worked hard ‘to ensure the success… while assuring visitors their safety remains paramount,’ on the Goseong trail.
Hikers will don bullet-proof vests and helmets and will be escorted by military personnel, presumably to ensure they don’t become target practice for any bored North Korean border guards.
There is a maximum limit of 20 hikers per trip and up to 80 on DMZ trail tours by vehicle.
Tours will be operated twice a day, and six days a week, except Monday.
Like other initiatives in and around the DMZ the ultimate aim is to foster understanding between the two nations.
"(The peace trail) will join the other 13 existing UNC-approved DMZ educational sites as a location for inter-Korean exchanges and learning opportunities," the UNC said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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