Seoul Travel Guide

Korean DMZ

For those with even a passing interest in historical affairs, the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) - a 4km-wide strip of land that divides the Korean peninsula in two - is an absolute must-see. The DMZ was established in 1953, at the end of the Korean War, and remains not only the most heavily-armed and guarded territory on the planet, but also the last surviving relic of the Cold War. Day-trips, which include guided tours of North Korean infiltration tunnels and the Joint Security Area ( ), the site of negotiations between the warring nations, cost around USD 40 and leave from downtown Seoul. Upon entry into the DMZ, visitors are required to put their signature on an indemnity form, acknowledging that they are entering a "hostile area", where they face "the possibility of injury or death as a direct result of enemy action" - this, however, is all part of the quiddity of the experience, and should be appreciated as such. Another interesting aspect of the DMZ is that - due to the tot
Website: www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_4_1.jsp
Transportation: Since tours of the DMZ are strictly by reservation only, visitors will need to engage the services of a tour company to visit the site. The leading DMZ tour operators are: the USO (02-795-3028), the Korean Travel Bureau (02-778-0150), Chung Ang Express (0
Opening Time: Tour times vary
Admission: Tour costs are as follows: USD 42 (USO); KRW 77,000 (Korean Travel Bureau and Chung Ang Express); KRW 78,000 (International Cultural Service Club)