Choice of 10 Million People Worldwide... 450,000 Visitors Annually Over 22 Years
Mayor Kim Kyung-il: "Hope This Becomes an Opportunity to Create New Hope"

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 27th that it successfully held a ceremony on the 26th at the Imjingak Korea Peninsula Ecological Peace Comprehensive Tourism Center to commemorate reaching 10 million cumulative visitors to DMZ peace tourism.

Kim Kyung-il, Mayor of Paju City, is giving a greeting speech at the ceremony celebrating the achievement of 10 million cumulative tourists for DMZ peace tourism at the Imjingak Korea Ecological Peace Comprehensive Tourism Center on the 26th. Provided by Paju City

DMZ peace tourism, which began operations in 2002, has maintained steady growth with an average of about 450,000 visitors annually over the past 22 years, and finally surpassed 10 million cumulative visitors on the 8th of this month.

The ceremony was attended by various related organizations that have cooperated to promote tourism, including Paju City, which oversees tourism. Attendees took time to reflect on the milestones and achievements of DMZ peace tourism and shared the significance together.

At the venue, a special exhibition titled "The Blockbuster of 10 Million Visitors, a Miracle Story that Began at the DMZ" was prepared, displaying the major history and awards of DMZ peace tourism from the discovery of the Third Tunnel, along with photos showing changes from past to present.

In addition, commendations were awarded to those who contributed to the activation of DMZ peace tourism. The recipients included various organizations and institutions such as the 1st Division, Veterans Association, Tongil Village, Ministry of Unification’s National 6·25 War Abductees Memorial Hall, Inter-Korean Access Office, Panmunjom Tour Support Center, Korea Railroad Corporation, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, Paju Urban Tourism Corporation, and Paju DMZ Gondola.

The ceremony began with a 22-year progress report, followed by commemorative and congratulatory speeches, and commendations for contributors, concluding with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque inscribed with the phrase "Chosen by 10 Million People Worldwide, DMZ Peace Tourism."

In his commemorative speech, Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City said, “I deeply appreciate the efforts and dedication of everyone who has led DMZ peace tourism,” adding, “Currently, as inter-Korean relations remain tense, residents in border areas are facing great difficulties. I hope this ceremony serves as an opportunity to once again reflect on the peace aspirations of over 10 million visitors and to create new hope through this.”