Third Tunnel

So, yes, it has been a while, and yes, none of these posts are being done directly after they happened. . .but such is life. I've got lots of posts in the works, and hopefully they will all get done before I leave in two weeks!

Either way. . . back to Korea.

On my third day I took a tour of the Third Infiltration Tunnel as well as Dorsan Station and Dora Observatory.

First was The Third Tunnel. This was one of three infiltration tunnels that the North Koreans dug into the South in preparation for an eventual invasion.



Sadly, pictures were not allowed inside the tunnel, however, I can tell you that it was long, and dark, and damp and small (less than 5 feet tall).

Outside the tunnel was a restaurant, souvenirs, and the like. It was sort of neat to see that the South turned something the North meant to be a thing for war into a money-making tourist spot.




After the Third Tunnel we went to Dora Observatory which is another ROK observation point over the DMZ toward the North. Two things were very obvious on this day. 1. security was much higher and 2. ROK soldier were everywhere.



Dora, which is a military installation, had military vehicles all over. Moreover, we couldn't take any pictures of the DMZ or anything inside the observatory. One of the members of my tour group must not have heard the announcement because he took a few quick pictures of the DMZ and was promptly confronted by an ROK soldier. Things were a little tense for about five minutes when our tour guide was brought over and explained what happened in Korean. The guy in our group had to delete the pictures he took. Intense!

After Dora, we were off to Dorasan Station which is the last train stop in South Korea, and the first into North Korea. Technically, yes, trains can run into the North, all the way to the capital of Pyonyang, but politically, the connection hasn't been made yet.





And, again, lots of soldiers were out.





Two pans of Dorasan Station.






Well, that's it for Korea. The trip was lots of fun, and well worth it!

Coming soon (this week?) will be a few quick trip posts from places in Taipei.

-Nate