The DMZ, In Pictures

John and I visited the DMZ together. We took a tour that did not include the JSA, because those are primarily not on the weekends and don't allow you to see much of the DMZ itself. While the JSA would be cool to check out some time, I'm glad that I got to see so much of the DMZ because, well, it's actually a very beautiful area that has basically converted into a nature reserve, a pretty rare thing in the hustle and bustle of the South Korea.

The main thing is that the DMZ is not scary. Nobody in South Korea anticipates war or an escalation of conflict with the North. Nobody really anticipates reunification, either, and younger generations often don't want it due to the economic impacts it would have on the South. On several occasions I've heard from people in the West that things were happening in the North, because they aren't news here. My mother was visibly disappointed in me for going to the DMZ, but all it is, is another tourist destination here.

This bridge is sometimes used to exchange prisoners.

People left mementos at the bridge.

a train that was attacked

This picture shows the serenity of the non-civilian zone.

This picture shows the craziness right on the edge of the non-civilian zone.

memorial to US troops in the Korean War

buff statue

another memorial statue

a diorama of the DMZ in one of the visitor centers

DMZ tourist information center

We got to have a break from the busy day and relax in this beautiful park, which ended in barbed wire and signs warning of land mines.

North Korea in the distance

This train station was built during the warming of relations between the two Koreas in the late 90s. It's never been used, but is meticulously maintained.

planes on display

Some of the rhetoric we were exposed to was a bit bombastic.

North Korean products for sale (all black market, of course)

One of the infiltration tunnels that was discovered leading into South Korea. You can go down them; it's a tight fit.

the beautiful DMZ and North Korea behind that

John, me, and the DMZ

White Horse Ridge monument

This is Private Lee, who told us about the battle of White Horse Ridge. He studied abroad in Shippensburg.