Visit to the Demilitarised zone

   Today I visited the Demilitarised zone, the border between South and North Korea with Pastor Kim. This isn't too far from Seoul and gave me more of an insight into the real tension between North and South Korea. We went on a bus tour to visit some of the sites. Firstly, we had to go through the gates where the South Korean military checked our identity. Then we drove to the furthest station point at South Korea, passing lots of farm land, but not many houses. We then went to the farthest point north of South Korea, and was able to see the zone between North and South. The line was established after the Korean War in 1953 and it was agreed that both parties would retreat 2 km from the line. There is a space that you can see through the high trees, into and an empty space. No humans, no buildings, just wildlife live there. In the distance you can see mountains, and buildings, into the unknown territory of North Korea. The area is 970 km long. It seemed strange peering into a country we can't go into.

   We then visited another place, watched a film, and went on a small shuttle train down into one of the tunnels that was made by the North Korean's for a surprise attack on South Korea. There are four tunnels in total that were discovered in the 1970's and then one in 1990. As we went into the tunnel, wearing hard hats, it was then that it hit me how very real all this was. These were made for the purpose of attacking the country I had spent time in. How very long these tunnels must be. We then walked deeper into the tunnel, and came to the end where we could see barbed wire, and a big metal door with a padlock. It felt strange to think behind that behind that door was North Korea. Not a pleasant feeling. We were that close, but yet so far away. It all felt quite strange, and slightly concerning. I feel I can understand a bit more now of that fear and tension that South Korea faces. Though in one respect I was glad to get out of the tunnel, I am glad I did it. I pray tensions will soon cease and this country can be unified once again, it must feel strange to know that North Korea could attack at any time. So I pray peace for this land.