Sunday, March 11, 2007

Korea - The World's Only Divided Country

The demilitarized zone (DMZ), designated in 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed, marks the site of the division.
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The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone - to give more distance away between North and South Korea. The Military Demarcation Line (MDL) goes right down the center of the DMZ (the border).
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From the Dorasan Unification Observatory Platform, North Korea appears very extremely close.
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A glimpse of the North. Photography is prohibited in most of the area, therefore no good view shots.
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The highlight of the DMZ Tour was visit to one of the tunnels - there are four of them. The 3rd Tunnel (Third North Korea Infiltration Tunnel) was discovered on October 17, 1978. It is located 52km from Seoul. When this tunnel (150 metres underground) was discovered, North Koreans insisted steadfastly that it was made by South Koreans to invade North Korea, but this proved to be false.
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The South hopes for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The resumption of the railroad link has made Dorasan Station not the last station from the South but the first station toward the North - linking North and South and beyond.
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Dorasan is only 56 kilometers north of Seoul and 205 kilometers south of Pyongyang.
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The Freedom Bridge which was used by refugees from the North.
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Will North Korea freezes its nuclear weapon program ? And will unification still feasible in coming years ? Let's hope for the best as Korea is the only divide country in the world.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Patrick!

How are you my friend?One week ago we had Easter in Hellas which is the biggest celebration for all the Orthodox.I've just read about Korea that is the only divided country in the world and i would like to inform you that there is also another country that is divided: Cyprus.And Cyprus is the only country in the world with a divided capital.How is work going?Do they still put pressure on you?I hope not.

See you!

Patrick Leong said...

makish, work is ok. i have just come back from a short break. and how is your work ? any plans coming to malaysia ? did you go for the panning course ?

Unknown said...

worlds ONLY divided country??? What about Ireland?