DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Peace Trail

By Park Hye Ri
Photos = Durunubi website

The just-completed 4,500 km-long Korea Dulle Trail connects the country's eastern, western and southern coasts.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Sept. 23 held a ceremony to mark the opening of the entire trail at Goseong Unification Observatory in Goseong-gun County, Gangwon-do Province.

Construction of the trail began in 2009, followed by the opening of Haeparang Trail along the eastern coast in 2016, Namparang Trail along the southern coast in 2020 and Seohaerang Trail along the western coast in 2022. The Sept. 23 opening of the final section, the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Peace Trail, marked the completion of the massive project.

The observatory where the ceremony was held is both the country's northernmost point and where the 4,500 km trail ends.

The expat group Global Expedition, members of walking tour clubs and Protectors of the Korea Dulle Trail, who manage the sections, attended the ceremony.

Haemaji Park on Busan's Oryukdo Islets is where the trails Haeparang and Namparang begin.

To mark the opening, the ministry plans to stimulate provincial tourism and link leading tourist content of each area near the trail.

Along with the Korea Tourism Organization, the ministry runs through Oct. 13 the event "Low Carbon Travel Week" to mark the opening of the entire Korea Dulle Trail and promote eco-friendly tourism such as walking, bicycling and camping.

The week features activities such as a national hiking relay on the trail, certification for completing 45 recommended courses, relay campaign for 60 bicycle courses, and walking and bicycling linked to a low-carbon (eco-rail) train.

"We will actively cooperate with relevant ministries and the 10 municipal and 78 basic local government units of provinces through which the Korea Dulle Trail crosses to develop the trail into a leading tourism resource that covers regions and all demographics," Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Hoseong said.

"We will also make the Korea Dulle Trail a globally renowned tourist attraction that can compete with famous hiking trails in other countries."

More information on tourism resources in regions near the trail is on the trail's official platform Durunubi (www.durunubi.kr).

hrhr@korea.kr