JSA
Recently, I undertook a journey to the Joint Security Area. Here's the bit where I sound like a tour guide, but with as honest and as unbiased a perspective that I can make it:
The Joint Security Area is, as it says on the tin, a joint security area. It is situated on the border between North and South Korea. Literally on the border as well: a line of stone slabs demarcate the two different countries in the area, deep in the demilitarised zone (DMZ, an area that encompasses several kilometers on both sides of the border. Neither country are allowed to have any proper military activites of any kind in this 'zone', hence the name).
It is manned by both the Northern and Southern army personnel, under supervision of the United Nations. To the Koreans, its somewhat symbolic of peace between the two countries. To my eyes, that's not far off the mark. With the two nations still technically at war, it is a unique achievement in world history (imagine Israel and Palestinian forces side by side and NOT shooting at each other).
Zig Zag Ziggy Ahh: The way to the JSA itself requires a trip past many security barriers. And the security to the security barriers: the barriers were placed strategically on the approach to the security checkpoints so that the vehicles coming through would have to zig zag their way. We were stopped at three checkpoints, our passports pored over. That's another thing: normal Korean civillians aren't allowed into the JSA. And here's another thing: this picture was taken illegally. There are places where I can and can't take pictures, and this is one of them.
You are my Dorasanshine: A new train station built near the border, where in the future, if things go to plan, people would be able to take trains to go back and forth between the two countries.
What's in a name: For the Dorasan station project, normal Southerners were allowed to give donations, in return for their names printed on a huge board outside the station. A novel idea, if somewhat problematic, given that all Koreans practically have very similar names.
Bush woz ere: Dubya dropped by for a visit in 2002.
Around the world in maybe three months: Once the station is online, then people can travel all the way to the otherside of the planet via various train connections. What money on me getting to London within two months?
Ten-hut!: Attention to the dude with the gun. And yes, I'm wearing pink.
FREEDOM!!!!!: This is Freedom Bridge, built at the end of the Korean war in the 50s to facillitate the transfer of POWs to each side. The POWs would come in from North Korea by train. Now it's not functional, more a tourist attraction than anything else.
I hate to say this, but...: I told you so.
The real JSA: White building: North Korea. Blue buildings: South Korea. The small line of stone slabs: borderline. Hence, don't cross. Kapish?
The Last Stand: I'm actually in two different places at once here, the mic ports on the table positioned exactly above the borderline. Though the building is directly built across the border, South Korea has jurisdiction in this one.
Back door: leads to North Korea. Which is why they have a guard here, in case the Northerners literally comes in through the back door. And which is why the guard looks a bit pissed. Probably. They position a few soldiers in the buildings.
Sticks and stones may break my bones...: but they aren't to be thrown across borderlines between two countries who are still technically at war. We werent' encouraged to even wave arms, for fear of the North using it as war propaganda.
Is it a bird, a plane?: No, it's a North Korean.
Flagging support: Commies unite!
Bird of prey: I end this entry with quite possibly one of the finest pictures I've ever taken. It's of a bird flying somewhere over the DMZ. The DMZ, being largely devoid of human interference for the past half a century, has been flourishing on its own. Currently, there are plenty of birds there, as well as other types of wildlife. This was taken while the bird was in full flight, and I had move and aim really quickly. Fantastic (I'm loving my camera even more...).
All in all, it's one of the most exciting things I've ever done so far in Korea. There was a sense of expectation in that air while I was in the JSA. It was really still, very quiet, eerie almost. As if something is about to happen...
The Joint Security Area is, as it says on the tin, a joint security area. It is situated on the border between North and South Korea. Literally on the border as well: a line of stone slabs demarcate the two different countries in the area, deep in the demilitarised zone (DMZ, an area that encompasses several kilometers on both sides of the border. Neither country are allowed to have any proper military activites of any kind in this 'zone', hence the name).
It is manned by both the Northern and Southern army personnel, under supervision of the United Nations. To the Koreans, its somewhat symbolic of peace between the two countries. To my eyes, that's not far off the mark. With the two nations still technically at war, it is a unique achievement in world history (imagine Israel and Palestinian forces side by side and NOT shooting at each other).
Zig Zag Ziggy Ahh: The way to the JSA itself requires a trip past many security barriers. And the security to the security barriers: the barriers were placed strategically on the approach to the security checkpoints so that the vehicles coming through would have to zig zag their way. We were stopped at three checkpoints, our passports pored over. That's another thing: normal Korean civillians aren't allowed into the JSA. And here's another thing: this picture was taken illegally. There are places where I can and can't take pictures, and this is one of them.
You are my Dorasanshine: A new train station built near the border, where in the future, if things go to plan, people would be able to take trains to go back and forth between the two countries.
What's in a name: For the Dorasan station project, normal Southerners were allowed to give donations, in return for their names printed on a huge board outside the station. A novel idea, if somewhat problematic, given that all Koreans practically have very similar names.
Bush woz ere: Dubya dropped by for a visit in 2002.
Around the world in maybe three months: Once the station is online, then people can travel all the way to the otherside of the planet via various train connections. What money on me getting to London within two months?
Ten-hut!: Attention to the dude with the gun. And yes, I'm wearing pink.
FREEDOM!!!!!: This is Freedom Bridge, built at the end of the Korean war in the 50s to facillitate the transfer of POWs to each side. The POWs would come in from North Korea by train. Now it's not functional, more a tourist attraction than anything else.
I hate to say this, but...: I told you so.
The real JSA: White building: North Korea. Blue buildings: South Korea. The small line of stone slabs: borderline. Hence, don't cross. Kapish?
The Last Stand: I'm actually in two different places at once here, the mic ports on the table positioned exactly above the borderline. Though the building is directly built across the border, South Korea has jurisdiction in this one.
Back door: leads to North Korea. Which is why they have a guard here, in case the Northerners literally comes in through the back door. And which is why the guard looks a bit pissed. Probably. They position a few soldiers in the buildings.
Sticks and stones may break my bones...: but they aren't to be thrown across borderlines between two countries who are still technically at war. We werent' encouraged to even wave arms, for fear of the North using it as war propaganda.
Is it a bird, a plane?: No, it's a North Korean.
Flagging support: Commies unite!
Bird of prey: I end this entry with quite possibly one of the finest pictures I've ever taken. It's of a bird flying somewhere over the DMZ. The DMZ, being largely devoid of human interference for the past half a century, has been flourishing on its own. Currently, there are plenty of birds there, as well as other types of wildlife. This was taken while the bird was in full flight, and I had move and aim really quickly. Fantastic (I'm loving my camera even more...).
All in all, it's one of the most exciting things I've ever done so far in Korea. There was a sense of expectation in that air while I was in the JSA. It was really still, very quiet, eerie almost. As if something is about to happen...
posted by Fikri at 7:35 오후
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