One of the World¡¯s
Few Divided Countries

The DMZ stands for ¡°Demilitarized Zone,¡± which means that all sorts of military installations and activities are prohibited. The DMZ was established under the Korean Armistice Agreement, signed in 1953. The DMZ runs for 2 km on both sides of the Military Demarcation Line. It was created ¡°in the interest of stopping the Korean Conflict, with its great toll of suffering and bloodshed on both sides, and with the objective of establishing an armistice that will insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved¡± (from the Korean War Armistice Agreement). The two Koreas demilitarize themselves across a 4-km DMZ, but stand on guard day and night along the Military Demarcation Line. Sadly, the DMZ does not mean an end to war, and Korea remains one of the few divided countries in the world.

Recalling the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Korea, one of the world¡¯s few divided countries, is home to the DMZ. The barbed-wire fences piercing into the DMZ remind us of the Berlin Wall in the days before it fell. The Berlin Wall was first erected to prevent defections to West Germany. However, the people¡¯s desire for freedom and reunification grew stronger by the day. As more and more people attempted to defect, the Berlin Wall was strengthened with more wire and concrete.

The Berlin Wall was reinforced with concrete to prevent escapees from driving through the barricades. The surrounding structures were removed, and the height of the wall was increased. These changes and modifications resulted in a high concrete wall standing in the middle of a city. On Nov. 10, 1989, the citizens themselves tore down the Berlin Wall. At the historic site, the famous cellist Rostropovich gave an impromptu performance of Bach cello suites. The songs of peace tugged at the heartstrings of people all around the world. A year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany was reunified.

It would be more logical for the Berlin Wall to fall after reunification, but this happened the other way around in Europe. Reunification came after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Regardless of the order in which events occurred, Germany was finally reunified.

DMZ, Near Yet Far

From the southern side of the DMZ, the North Korean guard post comes into view, along with a village in the distance. There are people working in the fields. If the Korean War had not happened, the village would have been a 30-minute walk away. The reality of a divided nation is reflected in the lyrics of a heart aching song: ¡°You can fly to the moon, so why not Pyeongyang, too? It¡¯s much closer than the city of Gwangju.¡±

Unlike the meaning behind its name, the DMZ is associated with threatening elements, such as snipers, mines and barbed-wire. The shortest distance between guard posts between the North and South is just 1.1 km. The perceived distance, however, seems to be much further due to heightened tensions. The North is a stone¡¯s throw away, but it feels like the furthest spot in the world. The wind, birds and insects are the only things that can freely pass over the barbed-wire fences.

Transitioning From Tension to Joy

Following the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit, the DMZ has come under the global spotlight, a first since the signing of the Armistice Agreement in 1953. The recent summit led to a threefold increase in the number of tourists signing up for DMZ tours. Non-Korean tourists visiting Korea have shown their support and encouragement for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Some hoped to be able to cross over to North Korea on their next trip to Seoul. Reunification seems to be just around the corner, and the celebratory atmosphere is similar to that of Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Before the DMZ was established, there was a small village in the area that naturally developed into a bustling hub of trade. The village served as a bridge between Gaegyeong and Namgyeong, also known today as Gaeseong and Seoul. If the DMZ were to be cleared of barbed-wire fences, it could be possible for the village to resume its former role. Its strategic location makes it essential to any exchanges between the North and the South.

The most memorable scene from the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit was the two leaders interacting with each other like old buddies. It was remarkable that the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit took place on the South Korean side of the border and that promises for peace were made, but most touching of all was that the two leaders took a walk together. This simple, everyday act helped to renew the citizens¡¯ hope for peace and reconciliation.

The DMZ, which is a symbol of a war-torn country, can be changed into a place of hope and healing. If the positive mood continues, there might come a day when separated families are reunited and children run about freely on vast plains, free of walls and barricades. Just as Berlin has established itself as a haven for young artists, the DMZ could make the transition to a more joyous chapter in history.

Countries around the world cheered fervently for the athletes at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The cheers that resonated were for the two Koreas marching under one flag and for the unified Korean women¡¯s ice hockey team. This positive energy might someday lead to a peaceful reunification of Korea, eventually paving the way toward world peace.