|
|
|
2nd Infiltration Tunnel | 3rd Infiltration Tunnel | 4th Infiltration Tunnel Reconciliatory and Cooperative Exchanges | Meaning of Mt. Geumgang Tour The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) 
According to the Armistice Agreement, the Military Demarcation Line
divides North and South Korea. The Demilitarized Zone surrounds the Armistice
Line. The Armistice Line stretches 248 km (155 miles) across the Korea Peninsula from the Yeseong River and
Gyodongdo of the Han River in the west to Myeongho-ri in Goseong-gun in the east. It winds through
Panmunjeom, Cheorwon, and Geumhwa. The DMZ extends 2 km north and south
on each side of the Armistice Line, covering a vast region of 64 million sq. ft. About one million armed
soldiers of North and South Korea face each other each day along the Military
Demarcation Line.
Historic Sites of Tension and Confrontation 
North Korea began digging tunnels under the DMZ at the same time that the South and the North first launched
peace talks in 1974. According to intelligence analysis, it is believed that North Korea began digging the
tunnels after Kim Il-sung (North Korea's President) issued the September 25
Combat Readiness Order in 1971. In this order, he stressed the need to dig tunnels under the Demilitarized
Zone, saying that one tunnel would be more effective than 10 atomic bombs and would thus be the best means
to overwhelm the heavily fortified front.
1st Infiltration Tunnel 
The first tunnel was discovered in November 1974, in the Western Sector of the DMZ near Gorang-po. With an
estimated total length of 3.5 kilometers, it extends one kilometer south of the Military Demarcation Line that
divides the DMZ. The walls and ceiling of the tunnel, 1.2 meters high and 0.9 meters wide, are reinforced with
concrete slabs. It has the capacity to move an entire regiment per hour through it. The tunnel was lit with
lamps connected to 220-volt power lines. Equipped with a narrow-gauge railway, rail cars and drainage devices
were also found inside. This tunnel is located only 65 kilometers north of Seoul.2nd Infiltration Tunnel 
Twice as wide as the first tunnel, the second tunnel was discovered in March 1975 in the Central Sector of
the DMZ, about 13 kilometers north of Cheorwon. Measuring two meters high and 2.1-2.2 meters wide, the
arch-shaped tunnel is large enough to move heavy weapons as tanks, field artillery, and armored personnel
carriers. More than 30,000 troops could move, three to four abreast (a division in strength), per hour.
Bored through 3.5 kilometers of bedrock at a depth of 50-160 meters below ground, the 2nd tunnel extends
1.1 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line to a point 101 kilometers from Seoul. A spacious troop
assembly area was carved out inside the tunnel, which has three exits.The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel 
Only 44 kilometers from Seoul (less than an hour's drive), the third tunnel was discovered in October
1978. Almost identical in structure to Tunnel 2, the 1.635 kilometer-long tunnel is 1.95 meters high and 2.1
meters wide. It penetrates 435 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line at a point 4 kilometers south
of Panmunjeom, running through bedrock at a depth of about 73 meters below ground. Capable of moving a full
division (plus their weapons) per hour, it was evidently designed for a surprise attack on Seoul. This tunnel
is only 2 kilometers from a key outpost defending the Munsan corridor leading to Seoul.The 4th Infiltration Tunnel 
The fourth tunnel, which is located along one of the most strategic routes in the Eastern Sector, was
discovered in March 1990 only 26 kilometers northeast of Yanggu. This tunnel is buried at a depth of 145
meters below ground and measures two meters high and two meters wide. Almost identical with Tunnel 2 and
Tunnel 3 in size and structure, the fourth tunnel intrudes 1.03 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation
Line and is designed to infiltrate massive forces into the Sohwa-Wontong corridor, the major access route to
the Yeongdong (Seoul- Gangneung) Expressway.Reconciliatory and Cooperative Exchanges between North and South Korea 
East and West Germany re-unified on July 1, 1990. Germany's re-unification ended all restrictions on travel and
trade between the formerly divided Germanys. The separating Berlin Wall was destroyed, remaining only as an
historic symbol. The re-unification of Germany ended one of the major divisions of the Cold War, gave hope to
the Korean people that they could follow Germany's example.
More than ten years later, North and South Korea have had a few gestures towards reconciliation. On June 17,
1998, Hyundai Business Group founder Chung, Ju-Yung traveled through the truce village of Panmunjeom to North
Korea leading a convoy of 50 trucks carrying 500 heads of cattle.
The governments of North and South Korea have recently held several short reunions of family members separated
by the Korean War. Although the dozens who have been able to reunite briefly with family members from the other
side of the DMZ are only a very small portion of the millions still separated, they may represent the trickle
of water before the flood that will crash through once the dividing dam finally bursts.The meaning of Mt.Geumgang Tour The Hyundai Group has established a sightseeing cruise line to visit Mt. Geumgang in North Korea, marking the first time that ordinary South Korean citizens could visit the North. The meaning of this tour is very significant. Since the end of the Korean War, it has been almost impossible for ordinary citizens of South Korea to visit the North, and certainly not as tourists. The tours mark a slight lowering of the partition between North and South Korea.
|
 |
|
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. |
 |
|
View pictures of the Korean War
(Planes). See historic pictures of the Korean War donated by Life in Korea readers. |
Return to Cultural Spotlight |
