Imjingak's Peace Bell rings hope for further improvement in inter-Korean relations(1)
- 5 years ago
Now we go to Imjingak,... the place in South Korea closest to the North,... and that's where our Kan Hyeong-woo joins us on this New Year's Eve.
And welcoming in the New Year,... so close to the border between the Koreas,... who've seen such incredible developments in their relations his year surely must feel different.
Hyeong-woo, how close are you to the border?
Hey guys. So the Imjingak Resort is only about 7 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line and some 15 kilometers away from the North Korean city of Gaeseong.
I'm standing in front of the Imjingak Pavilion's Peace Bell, where the lights are turned on to welcome 2019. But behind the main event here, it's really dark so it's hard to see anything. But that's the Northern side of the border where North Koreans will also be celebrating the start of a new year.
Although there's no way to say for sure what kind of celebrations are taking place in the North tonight, South Korean visitors here at the Imjingak Resort are hoping for further improvements in inter-Korean relations.
"This year saw a lot of improvement in relations between the two Koreas, with a number of inter-Korean summits taking place"
"I hope the road to peace will open up next year. They say North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will visit Seoul, so hopefully the road to peace does open."
Built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible, the Imjingak Resort has over 400 photos and documents showing the reality of North Korea.
As one of the most visited sites for families separated by the Korean War , the Mangbaedan Altar is a place for them to perform the ancestral rites they would have traditionally done in their hometowns in the North.
Every New Year's Day and Chuseok -- the Korean Thanksgiving -- they bow facing home.
After a series of inter-Korean summits this year, the Imjingak Resort has seen a dramatic increase in visitors who come to see the Northern side of the border with their own eyes.
As we get closer to midnight, more and more people are showing up to hear the bell ring and see the fireworks lighting up the sky to welcome 2019.
I'll be back in a bit with some more images of the excitement here at the Imjingak Resort.
Back to you guys.
And welcoming in the New Year,... so close to the border between the Koreas,... who've seen such incredible developments in their relations his year surely must feel different.
Hyeong-woo, how close are you to the border?
Hey guys. So the Imjingak Resort is only about 7 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line and some 15 kilometers away from the North Korean city of Gaeseong.
I'm standing in front of the Imjingak Pavilion's Peace Bell, where the lights are turned on to welcome 2019. But behind the main event here, it's really dark so it's hard to see anything. But that's the Northern side of the border where North Koreans will also be celebrating the start of a new year.
Although there's no way to say for sure what kind of celebrations are taking place in the North tonight, South Korean visitors here at the Imjingak Resort are hoping for further improvements in inter-Korean relations.
"This year saw a lot of improvement in relations between the two Koreas, with a number of inter-Korean summits taking place"
"I hope the road to peace will open up next year. They say North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will visit Seoul, so hopefully the road to peace does open."
Built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible, the Imjingak Resort has over 400 photos and documents showing the reality of North Korea.
As one of the most visited sites for families separated by the Korean War , the Mangbaedan Altar is a place for them to perform the ancestral rites they would have traditionally done in their hometowns in the North.
Every New Year's Day and Chuseok -- the Korean Thanksgiving -- they bow facing home.
After a series of inter-Korean summits this year, the Imjingak Resort has seen a dramatic increase in visitors who come to see the Northern side of the border with their own eyes.
As we get closer to midnight, more and more people are showing up to hear the bell ring and see the fireworks lighting up the sky to welcome 2019.
I'll be back in a bit with some more images of the excitement here at the Imjingak Resort.
Back to you guys.