S. Korea to open 3 trails leading to DMZ for civilians
- 5 years ago
South Korea is planning to build hiking trails leading up the Demilitarized Zone and allow civilian access to them.
The government hopes to turn what was once viewed as a painful scar from the Korean War... into a symbolic area for peace.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
South Korea is opening up three hiking trails leading up the DMZ... to allow civilian access to the area for the first time since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953.
"The government will do all it can to transform the DMZ, a scar from the war that separated the two Koreas,... into the frontline of peace and prosperity. We will eventually make it a symbolic place for world peace and nature."
Tentatively called the "DMZ Peace Trails," they involve the three South Korean border towns of Paju, Cheorwon and Goseong -- one each in the west, the center and the east.
In late April, the government first plans to start a pilot program at the Goseong trail where visitors will be able to go either on foot or by vehicle and get as close as possible to the DMZ.
The opening dates for the Paju and Cheorwon trails have not been set.
Some are concerned about safety... since the trails go through certain areas where the military is active.
But civilians will be escorted by heavily-armed soliders and will carry bullet-proof vests and helmets.
Seoul's Defense Ministry is in discussions with UN Command to get approval for civilians to go into the DMZ and to ensure their safety.
For the peace trail project, the Unification Ministry's Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council has approved 3.9 million U.S. dollars.
Those hoping to walk along the Goseong trail can apply for a lottery on the websites of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Tourism Organization starting April 11th.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News
The government hopes to turn what was once viewed as a painful scar from the Korean War... into a symbolic area for peace.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
South Korea is opening up three hiking trails leading up the DMZ... to allow civilian access to the area for the first time since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953.
"The government will do all it can to transform the DMZ, a scar from the war that separated the two Koreas,... into the frontline of peace and prosperity. We will eventually make it a symbolic place for world peace and nature."
Tentatively called the "DMZ Peace Trails," they involve the three South Korean border towns of Paju, Cheorwon and Goseong -- one each in the west, the center and the east.
In late April, the government first plans to start a pilot program at the Goseong trail where visitors will be able to go either on foot or by vehicle and get as close as possible to the DMZ.
The opening dates for the Paju and Cheorwon trails have not been set.
Some are concerned about safety... since the trails go through certain areas where the military is active.
But civilians will be escorted by heavily-armed soliders and will carry bullet-proof vests and helmets.
Seoul's Defense Ministry is in discussions with UN Command to get approval for civilians to go into the DMZ and to ensure their safety.
For the peace trail project, the Unification Ministry's Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council has approved 3.9 million U.S. dollars.
Those hoping to walk along the Goseong trail can apply for a lottery on the websites of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Tourism Organization starting April 11th.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News