The DMZ

 

The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a strip of land running along the border of North and South Korea. It is roughly 160 miles long and 2.5 miles wide and despite its name is the most heavily militarized border in the world. The MDL (Military Demarcation Line) goes down the center of the DMZ marking the exact border. (check out picture below)
Dad, Dakota, and I went to the DMZ back in January. It is only accessible by a special organized tour. It was so interesting and slightly nerve wracking as we walked in perfect single file into the JSA (Joint Security Area), stood and watched some North Koreans take our picture up close (a rare occurrence), standing at a watch post and being completely surrounded by North Korea on three sides,and actually being in North Korea at one point. It was a pretty tense and serious trip, but we had a fun time together.

We also visited tunnel 3, which is one of the tunnels the North Koreans were digging into South Korea.

Military personnel everywhere! :) It was a cold foggy day....as you can tell. 

 

The view from a watch post looking towards North Korea. Yes, I said it was foggy!!

The JSA. This is the area in which North and South Korea can meet to discuss political matters.

While being here we were constantly being monitored...as they do with everyone that visits. But, it is rare to actually have North Korean soldiers up this close.


That concrete line is the barrier between North and South. (Note: the gravel on one side and the sand on the other)

 A South Korean guard in his modified military stance, they are all professionally trained black belts.

 The line of separation.

 

The bridge of no return.....
Th story: The North and South Koreans each brought their POWs to this bridge a the end of the war. The prisoners were told that they could choose between the North or the South. But, once they made their choice they couldn't change their mind, they were stuck in that country. Hence the name "the bridge of no return."

 Pretty cool....not often your GPS on your phone says you're in North Korea. :)

 Stay on the beaten path!!! Live mine fields.... :)

 

 

A: Our house
B: The DMZ




K.K.M.D
Romans 8:35-37