Do People Really Go Through Reservations and Security Checks Just to Visit Starbucks? Already 123,000 Have Visited

Located Only 1.4 km from Gaepung County, North Korea
"North Korea View Starbucks" Gains Popularity by Word of Mouth
Over 120,000 Visitors in Seven Months Since Opening

The Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Ecological Park Branch, which is called the "North Korea view hotspot" because customers can see North Korean territory while enjoying coffee, is drawing attention. Since its opening in November last year, the branch has attracted approximately 123,000 visitors over the past seven months.

Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Ecological Park Branch. Starbucks Korea

From this location, visitors have a panoramic view of Jogang, where the Han River and Imjin River meet and flow into the West Sea, as well as the Gaepung County area in North Korea. Aegibong Peace Ecological Park is located north of the Civilian Control Line, so access requires advance reservation according to time slots, and visitors must take a shuttle bus and pass through a security checkpoint. The Starbucks store here is gaining a reputation among tourists as the "North Korea view Starbucks."

In fact, due to the effect of the Starbucks opening, the total number of visitors to Aegibong Peace Ecological Park from January to April this year surged to 129,000, more than double the monthly average compared to the previous year. The number of foreign tourists has also increased. The average monthly number of foreign visitors, which was about 1,300 last year, rose to about 3,300 this year, an increase of approximately 2.5 times. Previously, CNN, AP, and Reuters also reported that Starbucks had opened a store where customers can view North Korea. Last month, a Swiss tourist interviewed by Yonhap News at the Starbucks Aegibong Ecological Park Branch said, "It's my first time in Korea, and I came here because I heard I could see North Korea. I even saw North Korean farmers through a telescope. It was a very interesting experience to see North Korea from so close."

Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Ecological Park Branch. Starbucks Korea

According to Starbucks, the Aegibong Ecological Park Branch receives about 1,000 visitors on weekends, more than double the number on weekdays. In particular, there are many family customers, so the proportion of food sales is about 30% higher than in regular stores. On weekdays, a diverse range of customers visit, including foreign tour groups, military personnel, and school groups. However, since Aegibong Peace Ecological Park restricts entry times, the operating hours of the Starbucks store here are much shorter than other branches, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.