Honoring the DMZ - Imjingak

Osan Air Base offers a weekly tour of the DMZ.   From Wikipedia (link),

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ; Hangul: 한반도 비무장지대) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea which runs along the 38th parallel north. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half.  It was created as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement between North Korea, the People's Republic of China, and the United Nations Command forces in 1953.

We first stopped at Imjingak.  From Visit Korea (link),

Imjingak (임진각), located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, is now at the forefront of tourism related to the Korean Conflict.   It was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. 

Above is the Peace Bell.

Sections of the bridge over the Imjin River were destroyed to prevent an invasion.  

After the armistice was signed, POWs from both sides crossed this bridge to return home.

Imjingak displays several vehicles used in the Korea conflict, including military tanks and the burned out rail enginge.

The razor wire reminds us of that Korea remains divided.

The art space gives a nation to reflect on its past and future. 

Next stop - Tunnel No. 3.

Mahalo,

Kim  in Korea