Preregistration for 10 themed routes of the DMZ Peace Trail is set to open on April 18, with the application period started on March 28. Shown is Ganghwado Jejeokbong Peace Observatory in the village of Cheolsan-ri in Yangsa-myeon Township of Incheon's Ganghwa-gun County. (Korea.net DB)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova 

Ten themed routes on the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Peace Trail around the inter-Korean border area will be opened on April 18.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said preregistration started on March 28 on the program's official website (www.dmzwalk.com) and Durunubi, the mobile app for Korea Dulle Trail walking tours.

The routes cover 10 regions: Ganghwa-gun County, Incheon; Gimpo, Goyang, Paju and Yeoncheon-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province; and the counties of Cheorwon-gun, Hwacheon-gun, Yanggu-gun, Inje-gun and Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do Province. The intent is to have people experience the value of peace and freedom by using the ecological, cultural and historical resources located north of the Civilian Control Line.

Participants will travel all routes by vehicle for their safety and to protect wild animals and plants. In major sections, however, they will walk along barbed-wire fences with the military's cooperation.

Each visitor must undergo identity verification and pay a participatory fee of KRW 10,000. The sum can be refunded with regional gift vouchers or specialty products.

aisylu@korea.kr