[One Day Walk] Kim Sinjo Route and Horogoru... DMZ Yeoncheon Course

From April 21, the ‘DMZ Peace Trail Theme Routes’ will be fully opened. The ‘DMZ Peace Trail Theme Routes’ consist of 11 differentiated theme courses across 10 border local governments?Ganghwa, Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, and Goseong?that border the Demilitarized Zone. By applying in advance through Durudubi, etc. (participation fee 10,000 KRW), visitors can explore the routes by vehicle and on foot.

Today’s course is the Yeoncheon Course. It is a journey sharing beautiful scenery, the pain of division, and hopes for peace. Yeoncheon is the northernmost area of Gyeonggi Province, bordering Jangdan County and Geumcheon County in Hwanghae Province, and Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province. It was the site of fierce battles during the Korean War and has since been a region of continuous North-South confrontation. It boasts outstanding scenery where the Hantan River and Imjin River meet and is an extension of the Cheorwon Plain, featuring fertile land. With well-preserved natural environments, many migratory birds, including cranes, spend the winter here every year. It is a central area where National Routes 1 and 3 pass through, allowing easy access in any direction on the Korean Peninsula. Departures are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The ‘Kim Shinjo Infiltration Route’ is a key site of the January 21 Armed Infiltration Incident. The armed infiltrators, 31 elite agents from Unit 124 directly under the North Korean Reconnaissance Bureau, began their infiltration around midnight on January 17, 1968, from a North Korean military guard post. They crossed the Southern Limit Line around 11 p.m., passed through this area, then Imjin River, Papyeongsan, Sambongsan, and entered Seoul via Bukhansan. They were blocked by military and police forces led by Chief Superintendent Choi Gyu-sik, resulting in 29 deaths, 1 escapee, and 1 capture. The captured individual was Second Lieutenant Kim Shinjo. Biryong Observatory is the southernmost observation post in South Korea facing North Korea. It is a restricted area with civilian access prohibited and is strictly managed by the 25th Infantry Division of the Army. From Biryong Observatory, the Southern Limit Line fence is visible. Beyond the mountain lies the Military Demarcation Line, commonly known as the Armistice Line.

Biryong Observatory
Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

Horogoru is a fortress built by Goguryeo in the 5th century. It was constructed utilizing the natural terrain and is known as one of Yeoncheon’s three major fortresses along with Dangposeong and Eundaeriseong. ‘Horohah’ was one of the old names referring to the Imjin River in the past. Horogoru means a fortification on Horohah. It is designated as Historic Site No. 467 by the national government.