The 38th Parallel (DMZ, JSA, MDL)

Korea - chiamattt - Friday, June 29th, 2007 : goo

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For a good explanation of what the DMZ is and what has happened there over the years, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Demilitarized_Zone. It is a rather interesting read.

While tensions are much lower these days, the soldiers stationed along the DMZ and at the JSA are very serious and highly trained. This is not a place for conscripts. This is a place with rapid response teams that can be in full gear and ready in 90 seconds. Soldiers on both the South and North are skilled in judo, taekwondo, and ninja.

The following two pictures give you a bird's eye view of what the JSA looks like.

Unauthorized picture taking of this facility (equipment) is strictly forbidden

Apparently, the world's most dangerous golf course is now in Afghanistan.

This is a North Korean observation post. Most of the observations are done via CCTV these days, and let me tell you, there are some GIANT cctv cameras up there!

This is the "bridge of no return". The guide allowed us the chance to defect (im not sure he would have allowed it) but sadly, no one did. Right next to the bridge is the site of what once was a poplar tree.

Wiki says:
The Axe Murder Incident in August 1976 involved the attempted chopping down of a poplar tree which resulted in two deaths and Operation Paul Bunyan. Before this time, the soldiers of both sides were permitted to go back and forth across the MDL inside of the JSA, a privilege since revoked as a result of this incident.

Another incident occurred later when a Soviet dignitary, who was part of an official trip to the JSA (hosted by the North), ran across the MDL yelling that he wanted to defect. North Korean troops opened fire and chased him across the line. South Korean troops, protecting the defector, fired back and eventually surrounded the North Koreans. One South Korean soldier was killed in the incident. The defector expressed joy in his successful attempt, but was saddened by the loss of life. Since this incident, the North Korean soldiers face one another so defectors cannot come upon them from behind. They are ordered to shoot anyone who attempts to defect before they get to the line.

The following few photos were taking inside the room the armistice agreement was signed in 1953. A peace treaty never followed.

These are just outside the building. Check out how slack the North Korean soldiers are compared with the South.

That is North Korea, that city has a population of Zero and the flag was erected because the North and South were having a flag size competition at the time.

Various shots showing you what the coastline defenses are like. As tensions have lowered, the 'people' you see in a lot of the towers are simply cardboard cutouts which they probably rotate around. The rocks in the fence are to alert patrolling soldiers of fence 'meddling'.

Here are some shots from the tunnel that people can go down and see. I did not go into the tunnel this time around (this is my second trip there) as they force you to put your camera's into lockers.

The lasting legacy of the DMZ are mines. They are everywhere . Both sides kept sketchy location maps, so these signs are almost everywhere.

Planet B-BOY did a clever breakdance video set at the DMZ. Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmKHuq-IxjM

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Steven: I Really Liked this set,Pretty Nice Shots

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