World · East Asia & Pacific · 16 hrs ago
More than 13,000 visit South Korean park overlooking North Korean guns
A park in Gimpo, South Korea, drew 13,243 visitors from October 26 to November 4.
The Aegibong Peace Ecological Park overlooks a North Korean coastal area where artillery guns were spotted about 1.5 kilometres away.
The visitor total was 7.5% higher than during the same period last year, with weekday numbers rising sharply.
North Korea's guns drew visitors amid heightened military tensions between the two Koreas.
The park limits the number of people inside to 500 at a time, and Gimpo cut reservations as visits lasted longer.
Since November 4, bookings have been limited to 200 people per time slot, split between individual and group visitors.
Nearby residents say the situation makes them fear possible shelling, while the city hopes visitors will understand local concerns and reflect on peace.
South Korea’s Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gimpo drew 13,243 visitors over 10 days as interest grew in North Korean artillery visible from the site.
The visitor count from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4 was 7.5% higher than during the same period last year.
On some weekdays, visitor numbers were up by as much as 35% compared with the same days last year.
Gimpo city reduced advance reservation capacity as longer visits limited the number of people who could enter.
Nearby residents said the artillery and tensions with North Korea leave them worried about possible shelling.
- Who
- A total of 13,243 people visited Aegibong Peace Ecological Park; nearby residents also raised concerns.
- What
- Visits increased as people sought views of North Korean artillery across the border.
- When
- Oct. 26 to Nov. 4, 2026.
- Where
- Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo, South Korea.
- Why
- Interest grew after media images of North Korean artillery were circulated; the sources also say visitors wanted to see it.
Park visitors
Nearby residents
Meaning of the artillery view
Park visitors
Visitors came to see North Korean artillery visible through binoculars.
Nearby residents
Residents said the artillery pointing toward the area represents a threat to their safety.
Effect of visits
Park visitors
The park said visits could help people reflect on peace and understand residents’ difficulties.
Nearby residents
A resident said the artillery had become a spectacle for outsiders despite being a matter of survival for locals.
Images of North Korean artillery near the coast opposite Aegibong were circulated, drawing attention.
A total of 13,243 people visited Aegibong Peace Ecological Park.
Gimpo city reduced the number of advance reservations available per time slot to 200.
- Visitors, Oct. 26–Nov. 4
- 13,243
- Increase from same period last year
- 7.5%
- Park location
- Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo, South Korea
- Artillery distance from Aegibong
- 1.5 km
- Reservation capacity from Nov. 4
- 200 per time slot
What people are saying
Residents live day by day with the fear that shelling could happen at any time, with North Korean artillery pointed this way.
We hope that even if people came out of simple curiosity, their visit can become an opportunity to take an interest in peace and understand residents’ difficulties.