Hwacheon's Peace Dam
Choe Sang-hun has written an interesting article today about the Peace Dam in Hwacheon:
For two decades now, the erratic fortunes of the massive Peace Dam here near the demilitarized zone have mirrored the tortuous relationship between North and South. As the two sides’ leaders prepare for their summit meeting in early October, a review of its curious history suggests the barriers they must overcome in the quest for reconciliation.
The story goes back to 1986, when, as South Korea was busy preparing for its biggest-ever international event, the 1988 Summer Olympics, North Korean soldiers broke ground on a gigantic dam project just above the DMZ.
As South Koreans wondered what their unpredictable Communist neighbor was up to this time, the military dictator of the South, Chun Doo Hwan, offered his own terrifying scenario: a killer flood. [International Herald Tribune]
You can read the rest here. I drove from Chuncheon to Paro Lake via the Peace Dam before and the scenery up north of the Samyeong mountains is quite beautiful. It is actually hard to believe you are in a possible war zone, but the occasional army outpost tends to remind you.
Interesting article, In 1966-67 I was stationed at Camp Kaiser, which is now a ROK facility and the town of Unchon-ni. I am wondering if the dam is close to there. I have heard the name of the town now is called Uncheon city. Thanks, Leland
Leland,
The dam is roughly about 50 kilometers east of Uncheon and actually feels farther due to the rugged terrain. It is now spell Uncheon and Camp Kaiser is still there used by the ROKs. The old USFK camps are easy to spot because of the style of buildings used. Next time I'm in Korea I might just have to go and take some pictures of the old camps.
How hard is it to travel in Korea now. I know they were working on building new roads when I was there. I have thought on going back but still haven't. Leland
The roads in Korea for the most part are outstanding. There are modern four lane interstates that travel throughout the country. The worst infrastructure however is up along the DMZ because the ROK government doesn't want multi-lane highways for the North Koreans to use, thus much of the roads are quite small in areas near the DMZ.
The biggest danger driving in Korea is not the roads but rather other crazy drivers that only sometimes follow traffic laws. Getting around by train is extremely easy if you don't speak Korean. The bus system is good as well but you need to have some basic Korean skills to use it.
If you haven't been back since your 66-67 tour you would be shocked by how different the country is today.
I wonder how hard it would be to find a person in Korea. She may not be living there or living. Would be interesting to know what happened to her. Her name , if I remember right was Yoon Kwang Soon. We wrote a few times and then lost contact. Leland
I was there in peace dam few months.. I really like the place but im just wondering if my friends and I can do camping there? If so, please let me know the location… im planning to go back there with friends.
Thank you.
Brenda B. Martin