Visiting the DMZ ilicited a mix of emotions. Everything seemed eerie, and even a bit unsettling. This was for several reasons. For one, in this place that represented the terrible, ongoing Korean War, there was an amusement park. Yes, an amusement park.
The DMZ – demilitarized zone – is the physical divide between North and South Korea, but other than this constructed division is an intangible division built from years of tensions. Learning more about the history about the fighting between the two made me really feel even more uneasy at the DMZ. One of the things that stands out in my mind is the Axe Murder Incident, where on the South Korean side, a man chopped down a tree in order to see North Korea better. In return he was killed by the North Koreans, inciting this event. I think this violence is a frightening show of how ready North Korea is to jump on anything that doesn’t suit them.
The DMZ Tour consisted of seeing Imjingak Park, the 3rd Tunnel, Dorasan Station, and the Observatory.
Walking through the 3rd Tunnel was an experience I really enjoyed and will remember. The tunnels were small, steep, and a bit of a climb. Thanks to my short stature I didn’t have to keep ducking like everyone else, which made the experience enjoyable. At the end of the tunnel, there was an opening that allowed us to peek into North Korea territory. I thought these tunnels were really horrifically fascinating, because it revealed the sheer desperation and determination of North Korea to penetrate the South and take control.
One thing I noted about the DMZ is how they they really emphasized their diverse ecosystem of animals, as well as how they really twisted the place into a tourist attraction, which is another thing that made me uncomfortable.
I think they did all this in order to distract Koreans and others from the dark history as well as the constantly looming threat of the North. The juxtaposition of the beauty of the nature of the DMZ and its brutal past is just too contrasting. In my opinion, everything, like the colorful DMZ sign to the amusement park full of laughing kids to the souvenir shop with DMZ T-shirts, is just a diversion from the fact that just across the border is a hostile government that rules over their people with a tight fist.
On the ride to the Han River, we learned that Rob, our tour guide, actually was tour guide in North Korea. His openminded attitude towards North Korea and lifestyle of living in the present and grabbing opportunities was very admirable, and I have much respect for him.
The Han River cruise was really refreshing. I fed a seagull with a dried piece of fish, which was a first for me, and we were able to see the gorgeous city. The fresh air was really purifying, and I had a lot of fun talking with the people in my study abroad group.
Then, Dr. Yun had an idea: we were to find our way back to the hotel without using Google Maps. It was a competition, and first place would get Korean BBQ, which is expensive.
My group had a rough start, but with the help of locals, we made it to the subway then got off a stop for a straight shot down to our hotel.
We got second place! I was pretty proud of us. Although we didn’t win, I felt accomplished and the day still ended with some savory Korean BBQ.