 | North Korea Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 56 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (56) Inside the main armistice hall, we, the visitors, could see the main table sitting the middle of the hall where the ceasefire was signed.
The table literally was the dividing line between North Korea and South Korea. When we the tourist group from south are visiting, the door into the hall from the north is locked from inside. Only the United Nations Command personnel were inside the hall while the North Korean security personnel were outside the hall but "symbolically" peering into the hall through the glass windows at us inside.
We were all allowed to go round the table and hence stepping into DPRK (North Korea) and back into ROK (South Korea). So this is a moment to cherish and many photographs to be taken. Address: Armistice Hall, Pakmujon DMZ
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Yes, the one true "must see" place in South Korea is North Korea, and there are two places (that I know of) where you can see the Communist state from the South..
First, is Panmunjom, which is a small village right in the middle of the DMZ about 30 KM's north of Seoul. The second is a Reunification Observatory located on the East coast, also right on the border.
At the Reunification Observatory you can look across with binoculars at the many large propoganda signs that are point south, saying things like: "Come to North Korea, Land of No Taxes !!!!" and "North Korea: The Workers Paradise" and the like..
Its even better in Panmunjom, as you can see the North Korean solders just right across the line. You can even go into one of the conference rooms where they hold periodic peace talks, cross the line over to the North side of the room.... I defect, I defect !!! (Not likely...)
So that is the extent of my North Korea experience so far... (Five steps across the line...)
Some day I would like to see more of the "Workers Paradise", tho'... Leave a Comment
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Upon arrival at the border or JSA (Joint Security Area), everyone will be escorted to the Ballinger Hall for a 30 minutes briefing on the tour and what to do and not to do.
Each of us were given a guest laminated badge as authorized guest of the UN command. To be worn at all time at the top left side. Unfortunately, we have to surrender the badge prior to departure from Camp Bonifas.
Interestingly, we were told not to make any erratic arm gestures that may provoke an international incident. Not to gesture or try to fraternize with the North Korean personnel. Address: Ballinger Hall at DMZ, 38th Parallel
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At the DMZ hall where the Korean Armistice Agreement signed July 27, 1953 for a "ceasefire" ending the Korean wall, you can see the most bizarre faceoff between the North and the South Korean army.
The famous sight of South Korean soldiers showing half their body, the other half hidden by the the building to their North Korean counterpart. The South Korean in the taekwando stance of ready for aggressive action.
While the North Korean soldiers were said to facing each other in case one of them tried to escape to the south while others look towards the north in case of anyone trying to flee. They were to shoot anyone trying to escape, civilian or soldier.
Of course, above is only hearsay but sounds appetizing. Address: Pakmujon DMZ
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We made reservation a week earlier through USO for a day tour to Pakmujon DMZ.
USO is open to civilian but you must bring your passport or relevant document.
On that day, we arrive at Camp Kim, USO at 7am as the bus depart at 7:30am. Need to dress appropriately and so check the dress code when booking.
The bus ride was a smooth ride. Looking out the window, you could see heavily military presence towards approaching the border.
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Using binoculars, we peered into North Korea.
The "Propaganda Village" , we were told by the South, is an empty "showcase" village. Loud speakers from there constantly broadcasted praises of the Supreme Leader and castigation of the "evil" south. Again this is hearsay as I cannot understand Korean.
This lookout reminded me of the first time when I saw Shenzen of mainland China from Hong Kong's Lowu lookout point and Zhuhai of Mainland China across the bay from Macau. It was during the time when China was not open to foreign tourists.
Perhaps, one day, the same will happen to DPRK. Address: Propaganda Village, North Korea
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Before the tour began, everyone visitor after briefing was completed, had to sign a declaration form.
One of the statement is "... Although incidents are not anticipated, the United Nations command, the United States of America, and the Republic of Korea cannot guarantee the safety of visitors and may not be held accountable in the event of a hostile enemy act..."
At this juncture, one remembers that North Korea and the USA and South Korea have not sign a peace treaty after the end of the Korean War and so technically speaking.... well, it was too late to turn back as there was no refund. One of the famous landmarks here, anyway, is the "Bridge of No Return" besides the "Freedom Hall". Address: Ballinger Hall, DMZ 38th Parallel
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Next everyone in the group took turns to take photograph of the landmark observation tower across the DMZ border.
The few buildings here in this Pakmujon village were rebuilt as the original village was razed and destroyed during the Korean war.
This was the first glimsp into North Korea and so everyone was well behaved but excited. Address: Pakmujon
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The North Korean soldiers at the border seemed a lot more relaxed than the American puppets (just joking guys) on the other side. If you get the chance I recommend asking if you can take a photo with them. They have no problems with that at all. Leave a Comment Directions: In the middle of North and South Korea
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This is probably the most photographed building in North Korea side by the thousands of tourists who visit Pakmujon daily.
Although the buildings on the South Korean side have since been added or changed, the Pakmungan Hall retains its original eternal features.
For tourists of North Korea, they will be walking down the stairs of Pakmungan in their traditional Korean dress. Unfortunately we could only see soldiers as the tourist groups from the North and the South are scheduled apart so that we would not never see each other.
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on August 8, 2007
on December 3, 2003
on January 10, 2004
