Pictures from South Korea then North Korea then South Korea

Melissa thought going to the DMZ was going to be interesting.  When I thought DMZ, I thought of some sort of fence so I personally wasn’t very keen. 

I was wrong. 

There is a lot of history (albeit short and sad) around the DMZ and the area itself is very beautiful. We joined a tour sponsored by the USO.  The most interesting part of the tour for me was the area where the North and the South gathers on occasion to meet.

The picture here is from the South Korea side looking into the North.  The blue buildings are where the meetings take place and straddles the North / South border.  If you look carefully, you’ll see this cement bump between the buildings demarcating the border.

The South Korean guards have this strange posture (I think it is some sort of martial arts stance) and stare into the North.  Very intimidating.

A single North Korean guard appeared on the North side and looked down on us with his binoculars. 

The USO mentioned that at times, the North Korean side sends guards down to the border to talk to the tour group.  We were not to speak to them should they say hello.  This white tower on the hill keeps an eye on things and is responsible in ensuring there is no comms between the North and the South.

 

The most interesting part of this tour was going inside the central blue building that straddles the North / South border.  The building hosts dignitaries.  You can see the super nice tour guide rushing us out.  We have to keep to the military’s schedule.  The picture is from the South side looking into the North side.  That rear door leads into the North.  The guards lock that door when we are in the building. 

The microphones demarcate the border.  Here, I’m in the democratic South side.

Here, I’m in the communist North side.

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