 
Panmunjeom was a small village 48 km northwest of Seoul and 10 km
east of Kaesong, located in the middle of what is now the
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
It was the venue of the Korean War armistice talks between the U.N. Forces and the Communists that
lasted from October 1951 until July 1953. The 155-mile long DMZ established in
Panmunjeom in 1953 at the time of the signing of the Armistice extends from
Gyodong, Ganghwado Island (in the West Sea) to Myongho-ri, Gosong (in the East Sea). After the signing
of the Armistice Agreement that ended the open hostilities on July 27, 1953,
Panmunjeom was designated the headquarters of the Military Armistice
Commission (MAC).Four levels of meetings are conducted between the two Koreas, and it has since
been the guardian of the longest truce in modern times.
Freedom House, originally built in 1965, was rebuilt in 1998. Panmun-gak, the administrative
headquarters of the North Korean Security Force within the Joint Security
Area (JSA), was built in 1968. Other buildings for inter-Korean dialogue were established
in the 1980. In addition to serving as the stage for the MAC, it also acts as a meeting area for
the conciliation, interaction, and cooperation between the two Koreas, with the cooperation part
beginning to assume more importance. Panmunjeom also provides the
only road connecting the two countries.
Liaison offices for both Koreas were established in Panmunjeom with
23 hotlines for inter-Korean dialogue and also a hotline at the MAC linking both Koreas. Panmunjeom
is unique in that it is under the joint management of the United Nations Command (UNC) and North
Korea. However, since the 1976 ax murder incident (in which North Korean guards
attacked a UNC work party and killed two American officers), the sentries have been separated and
the Joint Security Area split in half.
Two villages, one on each side of the DMZ, were authorized in a
subsequent agreement to the Armistice. No other inhabited areas are allowed within the DMZ.
Taesong-dong ("Great Success Village"), located approximately one-half kilometer
southwest of the JSA, is in the UNC portion of the
DMZ. The residents of Taesong-dong are required to be either original
inhabitants or direct descendants of the villagers who were residing there when the Armistice was
signed in 1953. Among other perks, male villagers are exempt from military service. However,
villagers must also abide by strict rules, including a nightly curfew.
Directly across from Taesong-dong is the North Korean village of Kichong-dong or
"Peace Village." U.N. troops call it
"Propaganda Village" because of the propaganda often
blasted from loud speakers located near the village. Although North Koreans work the fields by
day, they are all removed from the area before dark and only a small custodial staff actually
lives in Kichong-dong.
Also located in the JSA is the "Bridge of
No Return." In 1953, this bridge was used to return prisoners of war of both sides, who
were allowed to make a free irreversible choice on whether to return to their place of origin. For
the North Korean and Chinese prisoners of war held by the UNC, this meant choosing between living
in the South or Nationalist China (Taiwan), or being repatriated to North Korea or the People's
Republic of China. Thousands chose not to return to their communist homelands.
The area has also been the site of a few high publicity crossings, including the 1968 repatriation of
the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo (captured in international waters 11 months earlier by the North
Korean Navy), several defections on both sides, and the homecoming (and immediate arrest) of several
South Koreans who visited North Korea without prior permission from the South Korean government.
Recently, Panmunjeom has attracted more interest as a stage for peaceful
unification. In June 1998, Chung Ju-yung (honorary chairman of the Hyundai Group) became the first
businessman to cross Panmunjeom to North Korea to deliver cows.
Third Tunnel of Aggression
Most tours to the JSA also include a stop to visit one of the tunnels
under the DMZ. Four major tunnels were found in the 1970s, all allegedly
built by the North Koreans (which the North vehemently denies). The tunnels are wide enough for
several soldiers to walk abreast, and some are wide enough for tanks and armored troop carriers.
Military analysts speculated that the tunnels were intended for a second sneak attack by the North
Koreans, allowing them to move large numbers of tanks, troops, and support vehicles and supplies
under the DMZ completely undetected.
The third tunnel was discovered in October 1978, based on information provided by an engineer who
defected from the North. This has been opened to public tours, although you are not allowed to go past
a certain point of the tunnel, which is heavily fortified with machine gun nests and concrete barriers.
Officials explain that visitors cannot go past that point because of a risk posed by the North. (So
there is no way to prove that the whole issue is not just a big propaganda ploy by the South's
government to maintain anti-Communist fear in the populace.)
Taking a Tour
Individuals may not visit Panmunjeom by themselves. All visitors must
belong to an organized tour. Many tour
companies offer tours, but not all include visits to the JSA or the
Third Tunnel of Aggression. The longer tours also include lunch at the JSA. (Note that during scheduled or
emergency meetings between the North and South at the JSA, tourists are not
allowed in the area, so that that part of the tour will be cancelled.) South Korean citizens may not usually
visit Panmunjeom without special permission from the government. All visitors
must observe the rules against photographing certain places, refrain from any gestures or actions that
might antagonize the North Korean guards, and follow a strict dress code. Blue jeans, shorts, or any other
provocative clothes are not allowed, and visitors must bring their passport.
Admission: Free
Directions: Imjingak -> Bridge of Freedom -> Panmunjeom
(See more information about the DMZ.)
(See more pictures about the DMZ.)
See related tour(s). |
