DMZ Tourism
Tourism to the DMZ is growing in popularity:
Recently, the DMZ has taken on an added cachet as “gateway to the North,” reflecting a recent thaw in relations between the two sides.
Local officials are promoting the zone as a tourist destination that offers both former battlefields and a pristine natural environment.
Some nearby areas are already well-established tourist spots. In North Korea, Mount Kumgang began welcoming outside visitors in 1998. While their activities are restricted, tourists are attracted to the site because it gives them a chance to talk to North Korean guides and glimpse life in the North. They can also spend money at a circus and stopover at a spa.
More than 1 million people have visited Mount Kumgang since it was opened to foreign tourists.
South of the border, nearby rural villages and islands are eager to be included on DMZ tour itineraries.
Kudos to anyone who knows where this village is located. I have driven past quite a few times and it is amazing how much the village has expanded.
The development of tourism along the DMZ is very evident. During my recent visit to Imjimgak which is located near the DMZ, there is a carnival and a festival going on. Just go to the USO at Camp Casey and you can see all the new DMZ tour options available. Plus the name DMZ is becoming almost like a brand name. All kinds of shops selling souvenirs and clothing are sporting the DMZ logo now.
I have mixed feeling about this because the commercialization of the DMZ is causing people to not appreciate the seriousness of the threat facing South Korea. A carnival is not going to teach people about the 1 million North Korean soldiers deployed along the DMZ or the thousands of artillery pieces pointed at Seoul.
I even see it in American soldiers now, that they don’t appreciate the seriousness of the threat literally just down the road. I guess the North Korean threat is not as great a concern as human trafficking, prostitution, and traffic accidents.
(Hat Tip: Budaechigae II)
Off topic, but here is a news article about the McArthur stature issue. It is an interesting read:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9108628/site/newsweek/
I think they potray the current attitude pretty well.
Well lets see, I remember the DMZ, as a freezing hell hole in the winter. Floods in the summer, using telephone poles to guide my jeep along flooded roads. Whoever their marketing director is the world could learn a lot from them….