[Korea] Goseong DMZ
the divided army divided into the ancient city of South Korea and the ancient city of North Korea
Goseong, Gangwon-do, the northernmost part of Korea, is a divided county divided into Goseong, South Korea and Goseong, North Korea. Due to these geographical characteristics, Goseong in the south is located between Seoraksan Mountain and Geumgangsan Mountain, which are the most famous mountains in the north and south, and the mountains, rivers, seas, lakes, and islands are excellent. If you stand at the Unification Observatory 70m above sea level where the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Southern Limit Line meet, you can see Guseonbong Peak and Haegeumgang River of Geumgangsan Mountain at a distance, and on clear days, you can see the peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain such as Sinseondae and Oknyeobong Peak. Hwajinpo is the largest natural lake on the east coast with a circumference of 16km, surrounded by corresponding flowers and dense pine forests, and migratory birds fly over a wide reed field.
Located on the road of overland tourism to Geumgangsan Mountain, the Unification Observatory is an educational and experience center that shows the reality of the world's only divided country. You can enter only after applying for access at the Unification Security Park and receiving prior education. Hwajinpo, viewed from the Unification Observatory, has long had many famous villas due to its beauty. Currently, Syngman Rhee's first presidential villa, Lee Ki-bung's villa, and Hwajinpo's castle (Kim Il-sung's villa) are operated as historical and security exhibition halls. The DMZ Museum introduces the process of ceasefire negotiations before and after the Korean War, the background of the birth of the DMZ, events by era, and cooperation projects with North Korea.
※ a civilian-controlled area
It is a civilian control area located 5 to 20km south of the southern limit line outside the Demilitarized Zone, and is also called the civilian access control line.
Since 1953, the DMZ has been designated as a military demarcation line between the two Koreas, where both sides retreated 2km behind and restricted access.
* Inquiries: Tourism, Culture and Sports Department, Goseong-gun Office 033-680-3365
* Opening date: Unification Observatory 09:00-17:50 (as of summer) / DMZ Museum 09:00-18:00 (as of summer)
* Closed: DMZ Museum January 1st, every Monday
* Designated status: Hwajinpo (Gangwon-do Monument)
* Related website: www.gwgs.go.kr
◎ Usage information
- User fee: Unification Observatory 3,000 won, Children 1,500 won / DMZ Museum free of charge
- Toilet: Yes