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.