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Operation Paul Bunyan | Front Line of the UNC, Camp Bonifas Repatriation of the Remains of the Dead | Visit Process 
Daeseong-dong VillageSouth Korea's Daeseong-dong (Freedom Village) can be seen on the way to Panmunjeom. The 230 resident farmers who live here descend from families who lived in the area before the Korean War. Residents receive preferential treatment (including exemption from military service), but must also abide by strict rules (including a nightly curfew). Gijeong-dong Village Gijeong-dong propaganda village, situated 1.8 km from Daeseong-dong Village, was built in the northern area of the DMZ for the purpose of propaganda. The village has no residents except soldiers. The world's highest flag tower flying the North Korean flag stands at the entrance of the village.
Ax Murder in Panmunjeom On the morning of August 18, 1976, a group of United Nations personnel attempted he to trim the branches of a poplar tree in the DMZ that was obstructing the view from a U.N. guard post. North Korean soldiers attempted to block the operation then attacked the U.N. personnel with axes. Capt. Arthur G. Bonifas (honored as Major postmortem), Lieutenant Mark T. Barrett, and 4 Korean soldiers were killed, and as many US soldiers were wounded.
Operation Paul BunyanThe UNC finally achieved 'Operation Paul Bunyan' and cut the offending poplar tree on August 21, 1976. Since that time, security guards of either side have been prohibited from crossing the Military Demarcation Line to the other side.
Front Line of the UNC, Camp BonifasThe United Nations Command forces have jurisdiction over Panmunjeom. The forces stay in Camp Bonifas (named in honor of the late Capt. Arthur G. Bonifas who was killed in the 'ax murder incident' in Panmunjeom on August 18, 1976). 
The U.N. Command guard forces were established with 5 officers and 10 soldiers in May 1952 and have conducted
their duty to support the Military Armistice Commission conferences. By the time the Korean War was over,
the number of soldiers numbered about 1,900. These days, about 400 soldiers, including ROK and U.S. soldiers,
conduct their duty to guard Panmunjeom. The UNC guard forces have four important duties: first, to guard the
Panmunjeom JSA; second, to guard and support the Military Armistice Commission; third, to conduct the
administration of Daeseong-dong (Freedom Village); fourth, to secure visitors of Panmunjeom and conduct tours.
Repatriation of the Remains of the Dead Several sets of remains of soldiers who were killed during the Korean War, as well as the body of a dead North Korean spy, have been repatriated through Panmunjeom.
Visit Process Those wishing to visit Panmunjeom or the DMZ must join an organized tour. Individual tourists are prohibited. Although many travel agencies offer tours to Panmunjeom and the DMZ, Life in Korea recommends Panmunjom Tour Center and Good Morning Tours. (See our full list of DMZ tours.)
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Register for a tour to Panmunjeom. Visit the historic spot on the DMZ where the Armistice talks were held and where ongoing negotiations take place between the North and South. |
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View pictures of the Korean War
(People). See historic pictures of the Korean War donated by Life in Korea readers. |
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