What is the DMZ?
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is an area that separates North and South Korea, and lies between the two countries. Both sides of the DMZ have been frozen in a state of war since the Korean War concluded in 1953. Although there are very few civilian settlements in the area, it is still the site of some of the most heavily militarized borders in the world.
The DMZ is a buffer zone to prevent any potential conflict or arms race between the two Koreas, and is an important international security priority. It is also monitored by the United Nations to ensure that both North Korea and South Korea are abiding by the terms of the armistice that ended the Korean War.
What Happens in the DMZ?
The DMZ is a restricted area, and Civilians are not allowed to enter. Only international diplomatic and military personnel are allowed to cross the border and visit the DMZ. Of course, the United Nations and other international organizations are constantly monitoring the area to make sure that neither side is preparing for war.
The DMZ is also home to a few permanent residents, who are mostly locals who live along either sides of the border. These villagers form a minority community, and their lifestyle is a unique mixture of both North and South Korean culture.
Despite the tense atmosphere of the area, the DMZ is somewhat of a tourist attraction for those brave enough to visit the area. Visitors to the DMZ will usually be taken on a guided tour of the border. This provides for an interesting look at both North and South Korean lifestyles, and allows the visitor to catch a rare firsthand glimpse of the border.
Visitors to the DMZ will usually see guard posts from both sides, and in some places visitors can come close enough to see the soldiers on the opposite side. There are also monuments and memorials that commemorate the Korean War.
The DMZ Conflict
While the DMZ has kept the North and South Korea from going to war with each other, the conflict between the two has by no means been resolved. The DMZ remains the site of frequent skirmishes and lockdown drills.
The South Korean-US military alliance poses a direct threat to North Korea's security, which can cause North Korea to launch a preemptive strike at any time. This can lead to much tension between both sides, and has made the DMZ a very dangerous place at times.
In 2010, the North Korean military launched an artillery attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong which was located in the DMZ, killing four South Koreans and two US soldiers. This incident was seen as a direct challenge to the armistice agreement between North and South Korea, and showed how potentially volatile the situation in the DMZ can be.
Although the situation in the DMZ has improved in recent times, with both sides now engaging in more dialogue, the tension between the two sides still remains. As such, it is still a dangerous place and should be avoided by civilians.
Conclusion
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a heavily militarized border between North and South Korea. It is monitored by the United Nations to make sure that both sides are abiding by the terms of the armistice that ended the Korean War. This buffer zone is essential for maintaining international security, but the conflict between the two sides has yet to be resolved.
The DMZ is restricted to civilians, as it is considered to be a dangerous area. However, it remains a popular tourist destination, and visitors to the DMZ will be treated to a rare firsthand look at the border. Despite the tense atmosphere and occasional skirmishes, the situation in the DMZ has improved in recent times, and is now much less dangerous than it used to be.