Two days after the 2 American journalists returned home with Clinton, we road tripped 2 hours up to the DMZ. It was a pretty weird experience because after 2 hours of very windy mountain roads, we finally arrived at a South Korean military base only to find out that we only had only 10 minutes to look around. The guy in the picture below gave us a short briefing, though it seemed like a lot got lost in translation, and then we squeezed onto a really small balcony that peered over the DMZ and into North Korea.
S. Korean soldier posted at the DMZ
It was eerily silent and though we couldn’t tell where the DMZ ended and where North Korea began, we could see some buildings and what seemed to be little villages in the distance. Pictures of North Korea (or in the direction of the DPRK) were strictly prohibited, but Jenny and I did get to pose with this sweet soldier. Since 2 years of service is required for all Korean men, it was interesting to hear his perspective on his posting. I suppose if I had to serve in the army, the DMZ would definitely be on the top of my list of best places to be posted. 
The military base was also really into camouflage – everything was camouflage, but what’s better is that most of the buildings are cars were a cartoonish camouflage, like this SUV. Pretty awesome.
Then we headed over to the World Peace Bell Park in Hwacheongun to grab some bibimbap for lunch.
Carolyn & I at the peace museum
The park had a really pretty garden and waterfall area and the area around the park was very serene. Next to the park is the Peace Dam, which was built on the Bukhan River for the sole purpose of protecting the ROK from the possibility of an intential flood attack from North Korea, which has a dam built on the same river. The river leads to Seoul, so it’s a pretty critical security point.
The provincial government gave us permission to ring the World Peace Bell
Also at the park is the World Peace Bell, which also has an interesting background – it was cast from metal from empty cartridges used in the Korean War and in other conflicts throughout the world (e.g. Palestine and Colombia).
Jenny, serving up some dongdongju
Pajeon (eggs, veggies & squid!)
We also made another delicious discovery the other night – dongdongju (a rice wine), which is served with pajeon (“Korean pizza”). Yum!
Very interesting. It is fun to read it even though you have told us everything. I think looking at the pictures with the narration makes it all the more interesting. Makes my imagination go to S. Korea with you. Love reading it. Keep on it.
Love,
Mom