DMZ. Worth going?

[sCuzzZy]

Hi all. as above.

still planning my trip to S.Korea.

would the demilitarized zone be worth going?

 

[beanstalk6]

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/korea-283/koreas-demilitarized-zone-tour-2041231.html
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/korea-283/worth-go-dmz-demilitarized-zone-5140324.html

 

[sCuzzZy]

brilliant thanks!

 

[denial86]

Hi all. as above.

still planning my trip to S.Korea.

would the demilitarized zone be worth going?

Are we even allowed there right now considering the sensitive situation with NK?

 

[ms.piglett]

went there on 2 jan this year and i think it's very worth it to go. i took a half day panmunjom DMZ JSA tour with http://www.tourdmz.com/english/main.php, and i think this is more than sufficient. one of the participants i paired with on the tour said she went to another tour before which included the 3rd tunnel and she found it a waste of time and money cus nothing much to see. whereas the panmunjom tour wastes no time and takes u to the more important places such as freedom house and conference room. it costs a little more (85k won) than other tours but definitely worth it since you probably will go once in your lifetime. don't forget to bring back some souvenirs from the souvenir shop! but judging from the tension between the north and south, maybe not advisable to go in the near future bah. tours can be cancelled at the very last min depending on the situation and no refund will be given.

 

[denial86]

went there on 2 jan this year and i think it's very worth it to go. i took a half day panmunjom DMZ JSA tour with http://www.tourdmz.com/english/main.php, and i think this is more than sufficient. one of the participants i paired with on the tour said she went to another tour before which included the 3rd tunnel and she found it a waste of time and money cus nothing much to see. whereas the panmunjom tour wastes no time and takes u to the more important places such as freedom house and conference room. it costs a little more (85k won) than other tours but definitely worth it since you probably will go once in your lifetime. don't forget to bring back some souvenirs from the souvenir shop! but judging from the tension between the north and south, maybe not advisable to go in the near future bah. tours can be cancelled at the very last min depending on the situation and no refund will be given.

No refund?? That's not very nice...

But seriously, NK every few years act up. If we google DMZ like every few years will have people say "sensitive cannot go now".

 

[sneggg]

what is there to see ?

 

[lukold]

I think it's a pretty interesting experience, when you go over you might feel it's all a show but in reality their enemies are at their door. Try it!

 

[ms.piglett]

No refund?? That's not very nice...

But seriously, NK every few years act up. If we google DMZ like every few years will have people say "sensitive cannot go now".

all participants of the tour will have to sign an indemnity form, and stated there is no refund if trip is cancelled because of the situation. not within their control and they have to cover their operational costs also. bo bian lor...

and have to be careful with ur gestures when in the DMZ area. my tour leader told us one of the tour groups in the recent past had started the tour, but was ordered to leave because one of the participants was wiping the water condensation off the glass window of the bus for a clearer view. one US soldier saw it and subjectively perceived it as the participant waving at them.

 

[ms.piglett]

what is there to see ?

main highlight would be the MAC building (aka the blue houses) bah... and the explanations from the tour guides are pretty interesting.

 

[sCuzzZy]

went there on 2 jan this year and i think it's very worth it to go. i took a half day panmunjom DMZ JSA tour with http://www.tourdmz.com/english/main.php, and i think this is more than sufficient. one of the participants i paired with on the tour said she went to another tour before which included the 3rd tunnel and she found it a waste of time and money cus nothing much to see. whereas the panmunjom tour wastes no time and takes u to the more important places such as freedom house and conference room. it costs a little more (85k won) than other tours but definitely worth it since you probably will go once in your lifetime. don't forget to bring back some souvenirs from the souvenir shop! but judging from the tension between the north and south, maybe not advisable to go in the near future bah. tours can be cancelled at the very last min depending on the situation and no refund will be given.

Thanks! How long prior before you booked for the tour?

 

[ms.piglett]

Thanks! How long prior before you booked for the tour?

i booked 2 weeks in advance.

 

[beanstalk6]

Watch the Korean movie "JSA" for some background.
Also refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Security_Area

 

[denial86]

all participants of the tour will have to sign an indemnity form, and stated there is no refund if trip is cancelled because of the situation. not within their control and they have to cover their operational costs also. bo bian lor...

and have to be careful with ur gestures when in the DMZ area. my tour leader told us one of the tour groups in the recent past had started the tour, but was ordered to leave because one of the participants was wiping the water condensation off the glass window of the bus for a clearer view. one US soldier saw it and subjectively perceived it as the participant waving at them.

But why cannot wave?

 

[prayhard83]

I saw this clause from this agency "panmunjomtour".
Meaning we must report to somewhere 2 days before the tour??

According to the UNC rules the roster of the tourists to Panmunjum should be reported 48 hours (2 days) prior to the tour briefing time (13:45) in the camp Bonifas on the tour day. So person who is interested in this tour should send your name, passport number and nationality to us at least 3 days before.

 

[tokyofanboi]

But why cannot wave?

Is a strict rule, will u ever wave to your enemies that can Attack you anytime? When visit you are not suppose to wear or on your bag any badge that consist of flag, military logo and etc, you can take photos

 

[ms.piglett]

But why cannot wave?

Is a strict rule, will u ever wave to your enemies that can Attack you anytime? When visit you are not suppose to wear or on your bag any badge that consist of flag, military logo and etc, you can take photos

yes, it is a strict rule and there are more rules. most importantly, keep ur hands and fingers to urself. u can take photos with the soldiers in the blue house but no physical contact unless you wish to risk your life.

take photos only when u are told to cus they have specific spots for photo taking. ur tour will be ordered to leave if u are caught taking photos when u are not supposed to, and if the soldiers are more particular/sensitive u gonna land urself in ****. golden rule: don't be a black sheep!

and u are not allowed to bring ur bag off the bus. just bring ur handphone, wallet and passport with u off the bus, so better to wear clothes with sufficient pockets of the right size for these things.

just follow the rules, listen to the explanations from the tour leader and enjoy the trip. it's worth the time and money.

PS: i went on a saturday and no NK soldiers on duty. tour leader told us the reason, but i forgot. hahahahaha
PPS: the SK soldiers are most likely handpicked. all quite good looking and at least 1.8m tall.

 

[ms.piglett]

I saw this clause from this agency "panmunjomtour".
Meaning we must report to somewhere 2 days before the tour??

According to the UNC rules the roster of the tourists to Panmunjum should be reported 48 hours (2 days) prior to the tour briefing time (13:45) in the camp Bonifas on the tour day. So person who is interested in this tour should send your name, passport number and nationality to us at least 3 days before.

i think this is more applicable for the tour agencies. i didn't report to anywhere 2 days before the tour. but agency required me to reconfirm my attendance one day before tour. on the day of tour, i reported at the meeting place and followed the tour leader as instructed.

 

[tortoise18]

Any tour that reports at Seoul?

 

[beanstalk6]

Any tour that reports at Seoul?

Most tours set off from Seoul.

I recall signing up 2 days before the actual day but that was in 2007.

During my visit, we had an American GI guide but the personnel in the conference room were South Korean MPs. As usual they wore shades and stood motionless in the clenched fist stance. I glimpsed a North Korean guard at their building looking at us. Quite a tense place to be.

In general, avoid making any gestures or behaviour that can be interpreted as hostile or controversial to either side.

I have friends who visited the place from the North Korean side. This is even more difficult to achieve.