Når turen går til Nord Korea’s grænse, går det ikke stille for sig og det var med meget blandede følelser at jeg satte mig ind i tour bussen. Vi kørte til “DMZ” som er De-military zone i det nordlige Syd Korea/sydlige Nord Korea. Denne fungerer som en slags gråzone, inden man når grænsen mellem Nord og Syd Korea. Efter et kort ophold ved POW broen (Prisoner of War bridge i DMZ), hvor mange tusinde fanger blev overgivet, begav vi os ind på militær området. Her skulle vi vise pas og blev tjekket af Syd koreanske soldater.

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When the trip goes to the boarder of North Korea, it is not a small thing, and it was with mixed emotions when I got on the tour bus this morning. We first drove to the “DMZ” which is the De-military zone in the north of South Korea/south of North Korea. This is like a gray area between then boarders. After a short visit to the POW bridge (Prisoner of War bridge in DMZ), where many thousands of prisoners where delivered, we drove further north, to the military zone. We had to show our passports to a south korean soldier.

Hele turen op, var vejen indhegnet i pigtrådshegn med røde trekantede skilte, som indikerede potentielle landmine områder, og disse måtte derfor ikke betrædes. Meget speciel følelse at køre så tæt på.

I 1978 fandt Syd Korea den 3. udgravede tunnel som stammede fra Korea krigen, gravet af Nord Korea. Den var vinklet direkte mod Seoul som var Nord Korea’s mål for invasion. Tunnelen lå 73 meter under jordens overflade og målte over 1 km. i sydlig retning. Vi var nede i denne tunnel og kom så tæt på den nordkoreanske grænse at det var uhyggeligt. Vi stod kun 170m. derfra!! Kendetegnet for Nord Korea er deres bjerge, som næsten ingen træer bærer. De bliver fældet for at soldaterne bedre kan holde øje med ulovlig indtrængen! Ö Modsat i Syd Korea hvor de har bevaret den smukke natur over alt.

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All the way up, the road was surrounded with barbed wire fence, carrying red signs. These indicated areas for potential landmines, and therefor it was not allowed to walk there. A very special feeling to be so close.

In 1978 South Korea discovered the 3rd tunnel, dug by North Korea during the war. The angel was pointed directly towards Seoul, which was the target of the attacks. The tunnel lays 73m. under ground surface and is more than 1km pointed south. We were in the tunnel, standing only 170m. from the North Korean boarder! What marks North Korea, is their mountains which hardly has any trees on them. The trees are taken down so the north korean soldiers can have a clear sight, in case of illegal invasion. Oppose to South Korea, where nature so beautifully has been preserved!

Det har været en enormt spændende dag, med en masse ny viden om Korea’s historie. Det er forfærdeligt hvordan én mand i Nord Korea kan styre to landes skæbne!

BONUS INFO: I Syd Korea har mænd en toårig værnepligt, hvor man i Nord Korea skal udføre militærtjeneste i 7 år!! Nord Korea ser ud til at forblive et militær land, hvis der ikke snart er nogen der gør noget!

Ber’ en stille bøn for de mange tusinde splittede familier, om at de en dag må blive genforenet!

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It has been such an exciting day getting a lot of new knowledge on the history of Korea. It is absolutely horrible to know that one man in North Korea is controlling the destiny of two countries!

BONUS INFO: In South Korea, men serve military service for 2 years. In North Korea the military service lasts for 7! years. It looks like North Korea will remain a military country, unless someone does something.

Here is praying that one day, the many thousands of split families will be reunited.