Panmunjom (판문점) is a former village South -and North Korea border. It is located in the middle of the border Joint Security Areaa (JSA), where the UN monitors the stalemate and acts as the only point of contact for the countries.
Understand
The Korean War ended in 1953, but South and North Korea did not sign a peace agreement, but only a ceasefire agreement, so the countries are still at war with each other. The border is probably the most closely guarded in the world, and there is little border traffic.
Come
It is not possible to enter the area on your own. From Seoul there are several tour operators who organize day or half day trips to Panmunjomi. There are many types of trips and it’s worth finding out exactly what’s known: binoculars can be crammed into the area from many places, but for a “real” Panmunjeom experience, it’s worth going inside the JSA area itself, and only a couple of offices have permission to arrange this. Even a day's notice may be included, but for trips to JSA, a week's notice is better.
A tour of North Korea usually includes a visit to the area. Pyongyang the trip takes about 2.5 hours by bus, and sometimes the trip includes an overnight stay nearby Kaesongin in town.
Move
The travel agency arranges transportation in the area. Within the JSA area, there are small UN buses.
See
- The tallest flagpole in the world. In the village of Kijong-dong on the North Korean side.
- Joint Security Area (JSA). A place where another country is just a few meters away.
- The third tunnel. A tunnel built by North Korean soldiers through which troops were to move below the border. The tunnel was found and closed. Today, tourists from the south get to visit the tunnel a few hundred meters away.
- Dorasan Observatory. A house on top of a mountain on the South Korean side from where it is possible to look across the border through a telescope.
Tea
Buy
Souvenirs are sold in the area.
Eat
There is no food available in Panmunjomi, but the trip usually includes lunch nearby.
Juo
Alcohol is prohibited in the area.
Sleep
There are no accommodations of any kind in Panmunjom.
Stay safe
 Warning: The border zone between South and North Korea is very closely guarded! Crossing the border can cost a life! |
You can only walk in the border area on a guided tour. Photography in the border area is prohibited without permission, but there are quite a lot of shooting locations. On the South Korean side of the JSA, there is a dress code that prohibits e.g. T-shirts and open sandals. Children under the age of 10 are not allowed in the area.
Above all, remember that the area is still in a state of war, and both sides have a hard barrel. Behave accordingly.
Stay healthy
Take contact
Continue your journey
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