The Big Picture of the Korean DMZ

The Korean DMZ zone is one of the prime examples that show how such similar countries can have totally different outlooks on life. It also shows how long hatred between two countries can last, especially if it is an issue that has lasted all the way back to time when countries just became enemies. This shows that unless countries can't cooperate and be peaceful with each other, then obtaining peace would be really difficult and long years of struggle and turmoil might ensue.
The most obvious theme this struggle represents would be the theme of "cooperation and conflict". It's cooperation because they are trying to maintain peace with one another, yet it is also conflict because of the fact that they are both coming up with ways to threaten one another and try to unite a single Korea. People could use this example as to help themselves understand that separating a once united country to two different groups is a very bad idea and staying united is much more successful.
An issue of separating parties has been seen before, the country of Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, the Vietnam was separated into North and South Vietnam and both had different views on life. However, after some efforts on reuniting the two countries, North and South Vietnam were able to forget about their past and were able to form a united Vietnam. This proves that two separate parties can become one again if they try hard enough and forgive each other. If Korea just tries hard enough and thinks carefully, they can reunite and become a single Korean again, just like before.


This is a detailed map of the Korean DMZ zone and the nearby features surrounding it.

Development of the Korean DMZ

The Korean DMZ all started out after North Korea decided to be a communist government like China, while South Korea decided to be a democratic government like United States of America. This zone was helped to distinguish where each of the Koreas were. It first wasn't strict on the border crossing, but after the Axe Murder Incident, everything changed. The security increased about ten fold and going in was nearly impossible.

July 27th, 1953: The Korean DMZ was officially pronounced as the border between North and South Korea.

August 18th, 1976: The Axe Murder Incident. A confrontation between the North and South after an argument over a tree in the way. Resulted in deaths and injuries for both America and South Korea.

October 4th, 1991: Most of the U.S. troops withdraw from South Korean lines. Only about 150 stay behind to help just in case another incident arises.

Impact of the Korean DMZ

The Korean DMZ is impacting many things, but the most important thing it is affecting is the people who are the most closest to the zone, which is the people who live right on the border of the DMZ and the two countries right next to it, North and South Korea. The two Koreas must constantly worry about an attack from the other side. They need to be ready for anything that the other country might throw at them. If they slack off even a little bit, then the opposing country might get the upper hand and win control over the other country. If this happens, then the countries supporting the fallen country will attack the other Korea, which would make the other Korea's supporters come and fight to protect their allies. When all this ensues, then a huge war might occur and then trying to make another peace agreement would be nearly impossible.
However, the two opposing Koreas aren't the only people affected. There are also people who live right on the border of the Korean DMZ. They are just affected as the Koreas due to the fact that they have to live in constant fear that one of the Koreas will go through the borderline and attack the opposing Korea. If this happens, there is good chance that the lives of the people in the border would be jeopardy because they are right in the crossfire zone of the two Koreas.
Due to the constant security everyday and damages from the small skirmishes, there is a lot of money needed to be paid to the soldiers that are on guard and money to be paid to fix for all the damages. The government could be using the money for better purposes and not for fixing damages and constantly paying the soldiers to continue their duty in protecting their country.
However, there are some positive things about the DMZ zone. The biggest, positive thing about the Korean DMZ is the fact that the environment in the zone is very protected due to the high security. Any poaching, hunting, or any of the activities that harm the environment would be impossible to due because of the high security. The soldiers themselves can't do anything of that sort because that would be considered slacking off. Located in the DMZ are many exotic animals that are almost extinct or are getting close to being extinct. Some of the prime examples of the organisms being preserved include the Red-Crowned Crane, the White-naped crane, the Korean Tiger, and the Asiatic black bear. These animals and the environment are safe due to the strict security of both opposing countries.

1: Constant worry about an attack.
2: The environment being safer and rich.
3: Excess amount of money needed to be paid.

Location and facts of the Korean DMZ

The Korean DMZ is located on the border between North and South Korea. The area is part mountainous with the Taeback Mountains crossing through it with some lower elevation, but is relatively high. The entire ethnicity for the DMZ is mainly Korean, with a few Americans here and there that keep a look out with the South Koreans. The DMZ zone crosses through the 38th parallel line and goes through it in at a peculiar way. The west side faces South Korea and the east side faces North Korea. It cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half and signifies the different borders between North and South Korea. It is about 160 miles long and four kilometers wide and has been notated as one of the world's most heavily militarized zones in the world, with the guards never resting from their duty. The border also has many electrical fences that makes entering in difficult and there are also many mines from the remains of World War II that are hidden underneath the ground. All these factors make passing the DMZ nearly impossible. However, there are tunnels underground that have been dug by the North Koreans, which make entering the border possible from the underground.




This map is a physical map showing the Korean DMZ. The Korean DMZ is labeled in the pinkish color and the black line running through it is the Military Demarcation Line. The dots represent the tunnels that the North Korean made.




This is a picture showing the line that separates North Korea and South Korea from one another.

The future

The Korean DMZ has been going for almost 50 years, and it might continue on for a little longer. Unless North and South Korea can come up with a true negotiation and not a cease-fire, then the Korean DMZ might disappear and there might be a better future. However, if North and South Korea don't come up with a better plan and continue sending soldiers to the other side, then there is a great chance that the Korean DMZ would stay. The bigger problem would be the fact that if the fighting continues, then another war might break out due to unstableness of the two countries, which would then result in many more people dying and other countries needing to get involved to help the country they are supporting, which could finally break out to another World War. Preparing for another war, if there is to be one, both countries are improving their military and defenses so that they can overcome the opponent. However, the best thing for the two countries to do is to try to come up with a true peace treaty, forget their history, and act as a single Korea and try to come up with a better future.

Video

This video shows information about the history and current times of the Korean DMZ.

Current issues of the Korean Demilitarized Zone

As of 1953, the Korean DMZ is still in effect. Most people view it as a peace agreement between the two opposing countries, North and South Korea. However, it is actually only an armistice that is used for a ceasfire. It is only made so that the opposing countries can think of another plan and counter each other.
One of the major issues that are remaining due to the Korean DMZ are the land mines located right in the center of the line itself. These mines are used to protect the people of both sides just in case either side plans to attack each other.
Another issue is the fact that both sides are constantly sending soliders and police officers to the opposing side as to cause trouble and harm to each other. This requires guards from both sides to keep staying on guard for any opposing enemies. This also heats up more hatred against each other due to the fact that they know that they are both trying to hurt each other in some way.
One of the most important issues that both countries, mainly South, have been dealing with is the fact that there are tunnels located beneath the DMZ. It has been assumed that these tunnels were created by North Korea as to send soliders through it and attack the people of South Korea, which goes back to the topic about both Koreas sending men to the opposing side.



This is a simple map showing where the Korean DMZ zone is. Of the four tunnels that have been made, three of them lead to South Korea's capital, Seoul, which could mean that North Korea once tried to invade South Korea from underground.

Pictures of the Korean Demilitarized Zone

These soldiers maintain 24-7 surveilence. The slightest slacking could lead to the stricest punishment.

A typical lookout from the North Korean side. Due to this high elevation, a 360 degree view is possible, so it is hard for someone to pass through all the guards.

Typical soliders on lookout while inspecting cabins. Soldiers barely have any peace due to the fact that anything can happen at anytime.

Even though the Korean Demilitarized Zone is one of the most heavily guarded areas in the world, the place is has one of the most diverse ecosystems with many endangered or threatened animals, such as this Amur Tiger.

Here, a solider is visiting a couple of students at the Tae Sung Dong Elementary School at Daeseong-dong. Even though the DMZ is one of the most heavily guarded and one of the most dangerous places on Earth, there are still people located at the very heart of the DMZ and life is usually the same as a person in another country. There are few differences here and there, but life is mostly the same.

Background of the Korea Demilitarized Zone

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was created when the north part of Korea turned towards the ideas of communism, while the people in the south turned to the ideas of a republic. It serves as the buffer zone between the two countries. Up to day, it is about 250 kilometers long and approximately 4km wide and is the most heavily militarized border in the world. This border is strictly under the security of both North and South Koreans and any other people without permission from both governments may not pass through the border. If one does, then the soldiers are ordered to shoot on sight. There have been many incidents in which people tried to cross the border. For example,on October 27, 2009, a South Korean pig farmer was wanted for assault, broke through a fence that helped distinguish the DMZ and escaped to the north. Most of the incidents involved North Korean soldiers going past the DMZ and attacking the South Koreans, resulting in injuries and many deaths. There has also been many tunnels found underneath the border. It has been found out that these borders directly led to either country, which gave the idea that North Koreans might be planning to send soldiers into the tunnels to come out and attack the people in South Korea.

These people are on guard, looking for any intruders that might come. They are ordered to kill anyone they don't know on sight.


This is one of the many fences that block off both of the countries. It helps signify which side is which and helps show where the border is and where one should not cross.