Being in North Korea and the Demilitarize Zone

I had a chance to visit North Korea back when it was not possible to get in. I was in the Demilitarize Zone during my trip to South Korea.

I was able to tour the very room where talks between North Korea and other countries (usually South Korea) takes place.

This is the negotiation desk. To the left of it is officially North Korea.

I am standing next to a South Korean soldier. Each soldier is specially selected and go through extra training. The soldiers on the South Korean side all stand in this pose. The soldier is also standing there to ensure I will not try to exit the door behind us. That leads to North Korea.

The soldiers will stand with half their body exposed. This is to protect them.

The soldiers would stand motionless for hours.

The building in the background is in North Korea.

The white watch tower on the left is North Korean. We were told that guards in the tower use listening devices and we were warned not to make motions which look threatening, and no pointing into North Korea. We were told those soldiers have no issues about shooting at us if we do.

This is called 'Propaganda Town'. It is on the North Korean side, and is supposed to look like a prosperous town and make the South Koreans jealous. However, there is no residents of the town. The do broadcast North Korean propaganda from huge loudspeakers. You can also see an extremely tall flag pole. I was told the largest flag in North Korea flies from that pole, however, it can fly only on rather windy days.

Between me and the town are, apparently, a minefield. Its a reason why no one comes out of North Korea this way, or so we are told...