Archive · 4 Aug 2025
DMZ Peace Trail Offers Rare View of Displaced Koreans' Lives
Imagine a place near the border of North and South Korea where people were forced to leave their homes a long time ago because of a war.
Now, you can visit a special path that shows what life is like for those who were displaced.
These people have lived near their old homes for over 70 years.
The path has a walkway with fences, a memorial, and a place to look into North Korea.
There is also a market that helps these displaced people.
Even though it is close to North Korea, not everyone can visit because of safety rules.
The DMZ Peace Trail on Ganghwado Island offers a glimpse into the lives of North Koreans displaced by the Korean War.
Displaced North Koreans have lived in the Gyondong village for over 70 years, close to their former homes.
The DMZ Peace Trail includes a walkway, memorial, and an observatory to understand North Korean life.
Daeryong Market, a traditional market in Gyodongdo Island, supports displaced people.
Foreign visitors' access to the DMZ is restricted due to security reasons.
- Who
- Displaced North Koreans, like Chae Ja Eok, and visitors to the DMZ.
- What
- The article discusses the lives of North Koreans displaced by the Korean War.
- When
- The Korean War ended in 1953. The DMZ Peace Trail opened in 2019.
- Where
- The focus is on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Ganghwado Island in South Korea, near the border with North Korea.
- Why
- To provide a glimpse into the lives of displaced North Koreans and promote peace.
- Location
- Ganghwado Island, South Korea
- Distance to North Korea
- 1.8 kilometers
- War Start Date
- June 25, 1950
- War End Date
- June 27, 1953
- DMZ Length
- 248 kilometers
- DMZ Width
- 4 kilometers