Government to Develop DMZ Border Area into a World-Class Tourist Destination

Ten Themed Routes Opened... Promoting Regional Tourism Revitalization

The government is developing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) border area into a world-class security tourism destination. Starting from the 13th of next month, ten themed routes called the 'DMZ Peace Trail' will be opened, allowing visitors to experience the importance of security and freedom through ecological, cultural, and historical resources.

On the 22nd, reporters passed the entrance of the 'DMZ Peace Trail' in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do. The government announced that following the first phase opening of the Goseong section on the 27th of last month, the Cheorwon section will be opened to the public from June 1st, and applications for participants will be accepted starting from the 20th. The Cheorwon section to be opened this time is 15 km long and takes about 3 hours to travel by vehicle or on foot. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 30th that participants can apply through the 'House of Peace' website and the walking travel mobile application 'Durunubi.' The initiative aims to attract not only domestic but also foreign tourists to promote regional tourism and economic revitalization.

Park Jong-taek, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "We will collaborate with related ministries and border local governments to develop this into a world-class security and ecological experience tourism resource unique to Korea." He added, "We hope that the activation of security tourism will help revive the local economy, which has been stagnant due to population decline and development restrictions."

The themed routes to be opened include courses such as Ganghwa Peace Observatory, Gimpo Hangang Estuary - Aegibong, Goyang Janghang Wetland Ecology, Paju Imjingak - Dorasan, Yeoncheon January 21 Infiltration Route Exploration, Cheorwon Baengmagoji, Hwacheon Baegamsan Bimok, Yanggu Dutayeon Bloody Ridge, Inje Daegok-ri Outpost - 1052 Hill, and Goseong Unification Observatory.

Participants will travel by vehicle to ensure safety and protect wildlife. Key sections will be walked with cooperation from military units. Visitors will enjoy the natural tourism resources unique to the border area and hear various stories from village residents serving as guides or interpreters.

On the 22nd, soldiers opened Gate 57, the entrance to Hwasalmeori Hill on the 'DMZ Peace Trail' course in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do. The government announced that following the first phase opening of the Goseong section on the 27th of last month, the Cheorwon section will be opened to the public starting June 1, with participant applications being accepted from the 20th. The Cheorwon section to be opened this time is 15 km long and takes about 3 hours to travel by vehicle or on foot.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism previously established an 'Integrated Operation System for the Creation of the DMZ Peace Trail' in cooperation with the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Ministry of Environment. It oversees the operation of the themed routes and leads promotional marketing. The Ministry of Unification manages the peaceful use of the DMZ, the Ministry of National Defense ensures visitor safety and military security cooperation within the DMZ, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety maintains base centers and cross routes, and the Ministry of Environment conducts ecological surveys in collaboration.