“The Joint Security Area (JSA) or Panmunjeom, is the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized ZoneSouth and North Korean forces stand face-to-face. The section is reserved between the two
Koreas for diplomatic engagements, and until March 1991 was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC)” – Wikipedia
Recently I visited the South Korean Joint Security Area. It was a interesting trip discovering the last frontier of the cold war and my second experience with North Korea. Before being allowed to enter the JSA, I was given a briefing during which I signed a document which states, in part, “The
visit to the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom will entail entry into a hostile area and possibility of injury or death as a direct result of enemy action”.
JSA. In the back Panmungak which is the North Korean side.
This picture was taken from the pagoda in the South Korean side.
Once in the JSA, It was very interesting to be in the MAC Conference Room, the famous room where the peace negotiations took place. This room is the only place where you can be in South Korea and North Korea at the same time. The Military Demarcation Line runs underneath this room so technically you can cross over into North Korea!.
Inside the MAC Conference Room
I also have the opportunity to see the other notable landmarks within the JSA as the Bridge of No Return and the place where there was the tree where the Axe Murder Incident of 1976 took place. James Bond (aka Pierce Brosnan) crossed this bridge in a scene from Die Another Day. This bridge was used to exchange prisoners after the end of the Korean War in 1953.
Bridge of no return
I also saw from the distance the North Korean “Propaganda Village” and the world’s tallest flagpole. The flag must be taken down when it is raining as its immense weight cannot be supported by the tower.
In summary, this has been my more cultural and historic visit in South Korea. It was extremely interesting to see with my own eyes one of the world’s most heavily defended borders of the Cold War and the scenario where lots of recent historic events have took place is an unforgettable experience.
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