North Korea
A 4cm high wall separating North and South Korea
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Johan Kruseman
Updated on 20 August 2024
Updated on 20 August 2024
The first full day started with a visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the border separating North and South Korea. Contrary to what I expected, the wall was just a 5cm high and 15cm wide threshold in an ironically peaceful-looking green lush surrounding, full of trees and chirping crickets. According to the northern part of Korea (as with anything I write here), this symbolized the fact that Korea is one country.
Even a farming family had been placed in the DMZ to live their lives, harvesting rice and corn, all to degrade the zone to some virtual non-existing boundary. However, this seemingly peaceful zone was still bordered by a large and heavily guarded fence on both sides, with watchtowers and tank blockades (heavy concrete blocks at the side of the road on sheer platforms ready to slide onto the road when released to completely shut it off). Sadly, this makes a comparison with the German Wall closer to reality.
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Traveled route: Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, Pyjongyang, Kaesong Checkpoint, Wonsan, Hamhung
× A 4cm high wall separating North and South Korea
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As we made our way back to Pyongyang, the most remarkable thing was the lack of cars (since nobody could afford to buy one, the only cars on the street were gifts from the government for good labor), which created completely empty highways, while the
North Korea
Did this story inspire you to go to North Korea? Read more on what North Korea has to offer, what the best months are for visiting and check the handy links for backpacking there.
