Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Pictures

After the Japanese surrendered in W.W.II, the Korean Peninsula was divided along the 38th Parallel. This division, called the Military Demarcation Line (DML) is approximately 3 miles wide, and still divides North and South Korea today. To date, no peace treaty has ever been signed with North Korea so technically a state of war still exists. This is more commonly termed as a state of armistice. The Joint Security Area (JSA), in the eastern portion of the DMZ, is an area where political talks and negotiations still take place.


This one lane Freedom Bridge (shown in rear of picture over the river) is the entrance point into the DMZ. It was named this because because POWs were exchanged on it after the Korean War. This is northern-most point that South Korean citizens are allowed to travel.	Some co-worker friends and I at Camp Bonifas near the DMZ. This camp was named in honor of Major Bonifas who was brutally killed by North Korean soldiers in the JSA.


Propaganda Village, a small uninhabited town built by the North Koreans. Working lights and audio broadcasts attempt to entice South Koreans, however the only people ever observed in this fake town are building maintenance workers.	The Bridge of No Return, a bridge linking the JSA with North Korea. After the Korean War, Koreans were given a choice to live either in the South or the North. Crossing this bridge meant there was no coming back.


A view into North Korea.	A white North Korean guard post in the distance.

Click on a Thumbnail below to see additional pictures taken at the DMZ