Can you take pictures in the DMZ? No photos of military Much like in many other countries, photos of the military and military checkpoints are strictly prohibited. Only on a trip to the DMZ can you grab a picture with one of the soldiers – if you ask nicely enough.
Can you take photos at the DMZ in Korea?
Due to safety policies, you need to be mindful of where you can and can not take photos at the DMZ in Korea. For the most part, the DMZ is safe for photos while the JSA has some strict rules to follow. If visiting the JSA, you will be given a waiver to sign upon entering the DMZ which will include instructions on photography.
Is it safe to visit the DMZ?
Although still considered an active war zone, it is now a place of sustainable peace and therefore the DMZ is safe to visit. The only aspect that may still appear dangerous is the fact that there are numerous troops, both from the north, south, and the United States who protect the territory and can be seen actively patrolling the region.
How many tourists visit the DMZ each year?
The DMZ welcomes more than 1.2 million foreign travelers each year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The DMZ is an interesting place to visit and a perfect way to learn more about Korean history and the current situation of separation between North and South Korea.
What to do at the DMZ?
Due to an outbreak of swine flu this DMZ tour follows a slightly different itinerary. You will visit Ganghwa Peace Observatory from where you can see North Korea, you will visit the Veterans Memorial Park, Imjingak Park and the Bridge of Freedom.
Is the DMZ in Korea considered a combat zone?
Why do South Korean soldiers wear sunglasses?
How many US troops are stationed in the Korean DMZ?
What is the DMZ?
Can you visit the DMZ in Korea?
Why is it called DMZ?
How far is the DMZ from Seoul?
See 2 more
Are you allowed to take photos in North Korea?
Can you take photos and videos in North Korea? Unlike what many people believe, or what the media may suggest, it is perfectly fine to take pictures and videos in North Korea.
What happens if you take photos in North Korea?
Contrary to popular belief, taking photos in North Korea is allowed and you'll have plenty of opportunities during your tour with us. Photography freedom is less restrictive than most travellers expect.
Is it illegal to take photos in South Korea?
South Korea For example, in South Korea, photographing people, even in public, without their consent is considered a criminal offence.
Can you go to the DMZ without a tour?
The Basics The DMZ can only be visited as part of an organized, guided tour, during which travelers get the chance to see the Joint Security Area (JSA), also known as Panmunjom, where the North and South met for peace talks during the war.
What is forbidden in North Korea?
The government does not tolerate pluralism, bans independent media, civil society organizations, and trade unions, and systematically denies all basic liberties, including freedom of expression, public assembly, association, and religion. Fear of collective punishment is used to silence dissent.
Why is wearing jeans not allowed in North Korea?
North Korea has banned piercings, skinny jeans, and hairstyles, including mullets, since last May, in a bid to keep the country free from "decadent" Western fashion trends. It came after the country's leader Kim Jong Un described foreign speech, hairstyles, and clothes as "dangerous poisons," per BBC.
What you Cannot do in South Korea?
0:000:488 Things You CAN'T do in South Korea - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere are eight things you can't do in south korea. Number one stick chopsticks in your rice bowlMoreHere are eight things you can't do in south korea. Number one stick chopsticks in your rice bowl because it signifies. Death number two throw toilet paper in the toilet.
Is street photography legal in South Korea?
Illegal Photo Taking. In most countries, photographers can take pictures in public and use them as they would like. Not so in Korea. While our photo-taking comrades abroad can enjoy ownership of the pictures they take, our photographer friends residing in Korea are subject to the Korean “Right to Face,” or “초상권.”
What things are illegal in South Korea?
Tattooing. 문신 [moon-sin] Tattoos aren't completely illegal in Korea, but you may be banned from entering some 찜질방 [jjim-jil-bang] public bathhouse. ... Gambling. 도박 [do-bak] Gambling is basically illegal in Korea. ... Smoking in Public. ... Dog Meat. ... Pornography. ... Online Gaming. ... Street Vendors. ... Lobbying.More items...•
Is visiting the DMZ worth it?
Not only can you visit the DMZ in Korea, but this is, in fact, a must! An estimated 1.2 million visitors come to this historic area each year. You will only be allowed to go on one of the official DMZ tours led by a licensed tour guide.
How much does it cost to visit DMZ?
PriceOptionPriceDMZ Morning TourAdult (11 yrs~)US$ 59.7 Child (2~10yrs)US$ 41.8DMZ Afternoon TourAdult (11 yrs~)US$ 59.7 Child (2~10yrs)US$ 41.8
Are weapons allowed in DMZ?
According to UNC Regulation 551-4, which outlines and implements responsibilities required to comply with the armistice, the U.S.-led UNC approved the deployment of heavy weapons at the buffer area, including medium and heavy machine guns, recoilless rifles, mortars and automatic grenade launchers.
Why are there no pictures of North Korea?
For years, the country barred foreigners from bringing in cellphones, and images of North Korea were rare. While the rest of the world descended into selfies, Instagram and Snapchat, the flow of photographs from North Korea remained tightly controlled by the government, which produced most images seen in the West.
What happens if you have a phone in North Korea?
Your phone will not be able to access any roaming network during your stay in North Korea. There is one telecommunication company in North Korea called Koryolink that offer foreigners working or living in North Korea access to 3G but do not have any roaming agreements with any other international operators.
Is it illegal to have a phone in North Korea?
Smartphones have proliferated in North Korea, but very few people are allowed to access the global internet. Devices in the country are required to have government apps and other controls that monitor use and restrict access.
What things are not allowed in Korea?
Guns, narcotics, pornography, subversive material, treasonous material, and counterfeit goods are prohibited from entering Korea.
How to visit the DMZ on the Korean Peninsula | CNN Travel
Dividing the Korean Peninsula since 1953, the Demilitarized Zone isn't just a political meeting place. It's also a genuine gathering spot for travelers. Here's what to know about the DMZ before ...
Why do people use the DMZ?
Both sides go to great lengths to talk about the monstrous atrocities that the other side committed,” Guttenfelder says. “People use the DMZ to broadcast propaganda, but I think you can easily say the opposite. A lot of people use the DMZ as a positive place, where families go and visit memorials and tie ribbons.
What is the DMZ train?
Pictures of the DMZ in South Korea and North Korea. The DMZ Peace Train carries South Korean soldiers and tourists from Seoul to train terminals closest to the DMZ. Each cabin has a different theme—peace, love, and harmony—which were designed to inspire feelings of hope and reconciliation. Please be respectful of copyright.
What is the DMZ?
The DMZ is a living vestige of the Cold War era —it’s also a tourist attraction. An army of ossifying bodies rests unseen beneath the soil that divides two Koreas. Unwittingly entombed by the tides of war, flesh and bone have faded into the earth and mingled with the roots—their nationalities rendered unrecognizable by the passage of time.
What do tourists do in the DMZ?
Tourists who visit the DMZ from the south are taken to a briefing room and given a presentation prior to the tour. In the hallway, they can take photos with a soldier cutout.
How many species are in the DMZ?
Some 3,500 plants, mammals, birds, and fish have been identified in the DMZ and Civilian Control Zone (CCZ), including more than 80 endangered and protected species.
Which country has the JSA?
The JSA as seen from South Korea (Left) and North Korea (Right) "The North Korean side has this big, classic Soviet-style building, and the South has this futuristic, bright, shiny silver building—I think they're both kind of projecting their own image," Guttenfelder says of the Joint Security Area.
How does tourism help peace?
Tourism can act as a force of peace: a mechanism that promotes empathy and supports reconciliation processes between nations. In addition to fostering cultural exchange, research suggests that countries with open and sustainable tourism industries enjoy higher levels of peace, economic prosperity, and resilience.
Can I take photos in North Korea?
One of the most asked questions for tourists travelling into North Korea is if they will be allowed to document their visit. After all, pictures of you with North Korean soldiers and at the world’s most heavily guarded border, the DMZ, make for a great Instagram post.
What is the significance of Mansudae Grand Monument?
Mansudae Grand Monument is a sacred place for Koreans to pay their respects to the leaders. When taking pictures, you should keep your hands by your side and remain respectful. No funny faces or any handstands! You should also ensure both statues are included in the photo, and not cropped in the framing of the shot.
Where is Nic from YPT?
Nic is YPT’s North Korea wunderkind and tour guide par extraordinaire. Whilst he’s not touring you may usually find him at a North Korean restaurant in China, studying Korean or travelling unique parts of the world.
Can you take pictures at military checkpoints?
Much like in many other countries, photos of the military and military checkpoints are strictly prohibited. Only on a trip to the DMZ can you grab a picture with one of the soldiers – if you ask nicely enough.
Can customs officers see your phone?
There is a chance that customs officers will look through your phone and camera for pictures. If you have taken a picture of something that is not allowed (for example you may have a picture with the military in the background by accident), they will ask you to delete it.
What does the mural on the DMZ landing area say?
The mural to the left says: “To the next generation: Let them inherit a unified country!”
Why is Kaesong important?
Due to its proximity to South Korea, Kaesong provides an interesting role in the economics between the two nations including the morally questionable Kaesong Industrial Region where South Korean companies employ North Korean labour for a pittance on DPRK soil.
How far apart are the flagpoles of North and South Korea?
With a keen eye, the towering flagpoles of both North and South Korea can be seen in the distance less than four kilometres apart, the width of the DMZ splitting each nation.
What is the JSA border?
You are looking across into South Korea. This is the Joint Security Area (J SA), it straddles the political border (MDL) within the DMZ. The border is where the light gravel turns dark, denoted by a concrete line.
Where was the overnight trip to Pyongyang?
Overnight was in Pyongyang in the fabled Yanggakdo Hotel towering alone on its segregated island in the Taedong River. Away from reality. This meant an 8:15am departure marked the beginning of our three-hour bus trip south, to the most dangerous border on earth.
What is the path we take?
The path we take is set below ground level, built up on both sides by brick, it was one-way and only wide enough for the bus and driving within it made me feel like a rat up a drainpipe. Atop of these girders sit huge bulk blocks of stone and the gaps between are filled in by barbed wire and electric fencing. Behind it on both sides appeared peaceful — lush, long green grass where nature has reclaimed land and is devoid of anything, not even any crops.
How many landmines are there in the DMZ?
The bus currently sit sandwiched between two desolate fields that form just a small section of the approximate 3 million landmines present across the entire DMZ. Oh and those stone blocks? Those are tank traps, our guides acknowledge them to be rigged with explosives and a necessary evil to prevent military pressure bypassing the fields and streamlining through this paved gateway into North Korea.
Why is the Dora observatory closed?
Due to an outbreak of swine flu the Dora observatory is temporarily closed to visitors. DMZ tours are still being organized and now go to the Ganghwa Observatory
What is the difference between DMZ and JSA?
With regard to the tours, there is a distinction between the DMZ and the JSA tours in Korea. JSA refers to the Joint Security Area, this is as close as you can get to North Korea.
How to visit the Dmz?
The cheapest way to visit the DMZ is with the DMZ peace train. The DMZ peace train runs from Seoul to Dorasan station from Tuesdays to Sundays. Just before the train reaches Dorasan station it crosses the Imjingang bridge which gives you a good view on the remnants of the Freedom bridge.
Why is the third tunnel of aggression closed?
The Third Tunnel of Aggression. Due to an outbreak of swine flu the tunnel is temporarily closed to visitors. DMZ tours are still being organized but follow a slightly different itinerary. The Third Tunnel of Aggression is one of four known tunnels under the border between North and South Korea.
What is the North Korean Defector tour?
The DMZ North Korean Defector tour is the perfect tour for everyone that wants to learn more about the differences between North and South Korea.
Why was the DMZ tour cancelled?
Our DMZ tour was canceled because of the meeting between the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in. The DMZ tour looked really promising and is another reason to go back to South Korea in the future. Here’s everything we learned from our research.
What is the DMZ?
In order to completely understand what the DMZ is all about we will start with some history. The complete Korean peninsula on which both North and South Korea are currently located was annexed by Japan in 1910. The Japanese treated Korea as a colony.
Is the DMZ in Korea considered a combat zone?
While South Korea’s DMZ comes as close to a combat zone as can be, there is usually no active military action. In other words, you hopefully will not see any shooting or other displays of power. In fact, the Demilitarized Zone’s main purpose is to foster peace, demonstrating that safety can be achieved without having to actively exhibit force. The zone does have some very particular aspects to it. The sand along the fence for example is being very neatly groomed so that South Korean and American soldiers can see whether there have been any infiltration attempts from the North.
Why do South Korean soldiers wear sunglasses?
The mandatory military attire of South Korean soldiers includes a helmet for protection and a pair of dark sunglasses. The reason is that as the nature of the soldiers’ work requires them to be even-keeled in any and all situations, the sunglasses manage to help conceal any emotion that may become evident. In other words, the sunglasses are the small accessory that helps South Korean soldiers achieve a look of neutrality, without their faces giving away hints of information.
How many US troops are stationed in the Korean DMZ?
On the South Korean side of the JSA, military support is provided by the United Nations Command Security Battalion. The battalion includes about 650 troops in which the United States troops make up for 10% and local South Korean forces comprise the remaining 90%. The battalion guards their assigned premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is the DMZ?
The DMZ in Korea is not only the most unique destination in the country but is in fact, one of the most fascinating places to see in the entire world. Curious travelers from all over the globe flock to experience this mysterious destination, hoping to gain an insider understanding of North Korea – the world’s most secretive country. Rated the number one tourist activity in the nation, the DMZ in Korea offers a deep dive into history, politics, and the Korean War.
Can you visit the DMZ in Korea?
Not only can you visit the DMZ in Korea, but this is in fact, a must! An estimated 1.2 million visitors come to this historic area each year. You will only be allowed to go on one of the official DMZ tours which are led by a licensed tour guide. Why? Due to its unique position as a heavily-guarded border, there are many rules to abide by in order to help maintain peace and stability. From how many people are allowed to enter at once, to what time of day you can visit, the tours follow strict regulations imposed by the United Nations. Going on a certified tour is also the best way to learn all that is noteworthy in a safe and responsible way.
Why is it called DMZ?
As its name suggests this is because there is a buffer zone between North and South Korea where no military personnel, installations or activities are allowed. It is also often regarded as a stretch of no man’s land and is roughly 4 KM wide. Its purpose is to preserve the peace between both sides and avoid military confrontations. The only exception to this rule is the Joint Security Area (JSA) where troops from both sides secure an area used for peaceful talks and negotiation between the leaders. The best way to think of the DMZ is as a neutral ground where the North and South can communicate.
How far is the DMZ from Seoul?
The South Korean DMZ lies around 50 kilometers away from Seoul (38 kilometers from Pyongyang). The journey takes about 60-90 minutes depending on where you depart from and the traffic conditions on the day. To get there, you will need to pass through a number of military-controlled security checkpoints en route. Your tour guide will request your passport and you will be required to present it to a soldier for inspection.
