By Honorary Reporter Raimonda Kekyte from Lithuania

Photos= Raimonda Kekyte

Every time I visited Korea, I wanted to tour the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), but I got disappointed due to such tours never ceasing to be popular. There's a good reason you have to pre-book a tour.

I was an intern at a Seoul-based NGO in summer 2016, and after the internship ended, I really wanted to visit the DMZ. It took me two years and three visits to Korea, however, to finally grab a spot on a tour and be on the bus to it.

It was early morning when the bus picked us up, and as we neared the DMZ, I remember being told to look out through the window and see just how many markings there were for undiscovered landmines. Most of the areas we visited were unreachable by solo tourists and reserving a tour was a must. 

We arrived at the DMZ and it took my breath away. Standing on the South Korean side of the border was a beautiful shrine decorated with the usually bright Korean colors. There was so much movement from tourists flocking out of tourist buses and wandering around the limited access zone. There was also a beautifully decorated coffee shop, an exhibition room and so many people taking pictures of North Korea right across the river and the bridge.

We also visited the No. 3 Tunnel, the closest I've been to North Korea. We were later taken to
Dorasan Station, the sight of which took me aback. The station still has signs saying "Train to Pyeongyang," though the tracks cannot be used, though I could sense a spark of hope on the South Korean side. I also remembered all the families separated during the Korean War.

A trip to DMZ isn't for sightseeing. It's a place to go with an open mind and learn about inter-Korean issues. Being extremely guarded on both sides and with landmines scattered all around, the conflict remains in place along with the hope of Korean reunification.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.