U.S. Presidents At The DMZ

(Click on Images to Enlarge)

WNU Editor: It has been quite a journey.

Hiking Trail Opens In The DMZ

The DMZ is a 160-mile-long zone north of Seoul and was established at the end of the 1953 Korean War to divide the two nations. Pictured are the vibrant blue Military Armistice Commission Conference Rooms, which straddle both North and South Korea

Daily Mail: Hiking trail opens in the Korean Peninsula's heavily armed demilitarized zone, where endangered species are flourishing

* First of three hiking trails has opened on the Korean Peninsula with tours running twice a day, six days a week
* Pictures have emerged of the first hikers to tackle the trail, which is surrounded by barbed wire and mines
* The DMZ is a 160-mile-long zone north of Seoul and was established at the end of the 1953 Korean War

A hiking trail where walkers can spot some of the world's most endangered species has opened inside the Korean Peninsula's heavily armed demilitarized zone (DMZ).

The Goseong-area route has opened on the eastern side of the DMZ in the first phase of what's known as the 'Peace Trail' project.

It is one of three trails set to open on the peninsula, with tours running twice a day, six days a week.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. It is going to be a success.

A Visit To The Korean Demilitarized Zone

Andrew Salman, Asia Times: A rare visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone

Despite the inter-Korean thaw of 2018 and the upcoming Kim-Trump summit, there has been no change for sentries posted by the DMZ

“All normal. Situation remains the same.”

It is frigid on this February day on the exposed heights of Observation Post Kumgang. A wind blasts across the Northern Pacific from Siberia, but it is cold for another reason: Despite the inter-Korean thaws of 2018, for the men on the ground, the Cold War on this front line is chilly as ever.

“Our daily tasks remain exactly the same,” said Lt. Col. Bae Suk-jin, a fit-looking officer. “Nothing big has changed.”

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WNU Editor: This border is in my opinion the most dangerous in the world.

North Korea Blows Up 10 Frontline DMZ Bunkers

ABC News: North Korea detonates DMZ guard posts at southern border

North Korea blew up 10 of its front-line guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas on Tuesday in accordance with agreements made with South Korea earlier this year.

The explosions were carried out simultaneously within a four-minute time frame after the North notified the South of the project, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry.

North Korean soldiers have been destroying the brick structures over the past couple of weeks. Analysts said they most likely decided to demolish the guard posts all at once to meet the Nov. 30th deadline.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Blowing Up 10 Frontline DMZ Bunkers

North Korea blows up 10 guard posts to ease tensions with South -- USA Today/AP
North Korea blows up frontline bunkers -- Channel News Asia/AFP
North Korea Blows Up 10 Border Posts -- Newser
N. Korea destroys 10 DMZ guard posts -- Yonhap News Agency

North And South Korea Want A No-Fly Zone Over The DMZ. The U.S. Is Saying No

Business Insider/Reuters: North and South Korea want a no-fly zone over the DMZ, but the US is pushing back

* The US opposes a plan by South and North Korea to set up a no-fly zone over their heavily fortified border, the latest sign of a rift between Seoul and its top ally.
* Washington and Seoul both publicly insist they are on the same page about dealing with Pyongyang. But behind the scenes, there are growing signs of disagreement.
* The United States was not likely to openly protest against an inter-Korean initiative, Seoul officials said, but its deep involvement in sanctions enforcement and military operations give it leverage to delay or change the policy.

SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States opposes a plan by South and North Korea to set up a no-fly zone over their heavily fortified border, the latest sign of a rift between Seoul and its top ally, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Washington and Seoul both publicly insist they are on the same page about dealing with Pyongyang. But behind the scenes, there are growing signs of disagreement as South and North Korea forge ahead with plans to defuse military tensions and rebuild economic ties.

Read more ....

Update #1: US to oppose no-fly zone over Korean DMZ: report -- The Hill
Update #2: US opposed to Koreas' plan for no-fly zone over border -- Al Jazeera

WNU Editor: This is the reason why the U.S. does not want a no-fly zone over the DMZ .... The U.S. Doesn’t Want a No-Fly Zone Over the Korean DMZ. Here’s Why. (Popular Mechanics).

Here is some more news on North Korea ....

Pope Francis says he IS willing to go to North Korea after South Korean President Moon relayed an invitation from Kim Jong-un during meeting at the Vatican -- Daily Mail
North Korea holds talks with UN Command and South Korea -- DW
Trump says next summit with Kim will happen after mid-term elections, not in U.S. -- Arirang News
Rumors of rice aid to North Korea circulate as prices skyrocket -- UPI
North and South Korean border may soon open to tourists -- The Telegraph
What if North Korea Collapsed? -- Jamie Metzl, National Interest

An Inside Look At The DMZ (Video)

WNU Editor: Some things never change.

North Korea Replaces Border Guards And Fortifies Its Border After Recent Defection

North Korean soldiers dig a trench and plant trees in the area where, on November 13, a defector ran across the border at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing North Korea and South Korea November 22, 2017. Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: North Korea replaces soldiers, South Korea awards medals after defector's border dash

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has reportedly replaced guards and fortified a section of its border with South Korea where a North Korean soldier defected last week, while South Korean and U.S. soldiers have been decorated for their role in the defector’s rescue.

The North Korean defector was shot and wounded by his fellow soldiers as he dashed into the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) last week.

The South Korean and U.S. soldiers who led a rescue attempt to drag the gravely injured soldier to safety have been awarded medals, according to U.S. Forces Korea.

A group of senior diplomats based in Seoul visited the JSA on Wednesday morning where they saw five North Korean workers digging a deep trench in the area where the soldier had dashed across the line after getting his jeep stuck in a small ditch, a member of the diplomatic delegation told Reuters on Friday.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Replacing Its Border Guards And Fortifying Its Border After Recent Defection

North Korea Replaces Border Guards Following Defection -- AP
N. Korea replaces guards, fortifies border after defection -- AFP
North Korea fortifies border and sacks guards after soldier's daring defection -- ABC News Online
North Korea digs trenches where defector crossed DMZ border -- ABC News
North Korea digs DMZ trench after recent defection -- BBC
North Korea Reportedly Fortifies Its Border, Digs Trench After Recent Defection -- Sputnik

Dramatic Video Shows North Korean Soldier's Daring Defection To The South

Reuters: Escape from North Korea: video shows defector under fire

SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean border guard briefly crossed the border with the South in the chase for a defector last week - a violation of the ceasefire accord between North and South, a video released on Wednesday by the U.N. Command (UNC) in Seoul showed.

The North Koreans were only steps behind the young man when they shot him at least four times as he made his escape on Nov. 13. The video, filmed as the defector drove an army truck through the demilitarized zone and then abandoned the vehicle, gives a dramatic insight into his escape.

The defector, identified by a surgeon as a 24-year-old with the family name Oh, was flown by a U.S. military helicopter to a hospital in Suwon, south of Seoul. Doctors said he had regained consciousness, having had two operations to extract the bullets, and his breathing was stable and unassisted.

Read more ....

More On The Dramatic Video That Shows The North Korean Soldier's Daring Defection To The South

Dramatic new video captures North Korean soldier's daring defection -- CBS News
North Korea defection: Footage of moment soldier flees -- BBC News
Video shows North Korean soldier's daring, bullet-ridden defection to South -- USA TODAY
Watch dramatic video showing North Korean forces chasing, firing on defecting soldier -- Los Angeles Times
North Korean defector shot by soldiers while escaping over the border in dramatic video -- The Independent
North Korean soldiers violated Armistice Agreement in pursuit of defector: UNC -- NK News
North Korean defector: What we've learned from dramatic footage -- BBC News

How Big Is The DMZ?

WNU Editor: An interesting look at the DMZ .... This thin ribbon of land separates North and South Korea. Why should we care? (Armand Emamdjomeh, Laris Karklis and Tim Meko, Washington Post)

North Korean Soldier Who Defected To South Korea At The DMZ Was Shot 5 Times (Update)

FOX News: North Korean soldier who defected to South Korea at DMZ was shot 5 times, military says

A North Korean soldier was shot at least five times as his comrades unleashed dozens of rounds at him during the man's desperate dash to defect at the Demilitarized Zone on Monday, the new details painting the escape as a more harrowing effort than what was initially reported.

The unidentified North Korean soldier-turned-defector remained at Ajou University Medical Center near Seoul on Tuesday, recovering from gunshot wounds that left him in “very dangerous” condition, said Lee Guk-jong, a doctor leading the medical team for the soldier. South Korea’s military said he suffered injuries to his internal organs but wasn’t in a life-threatening condition -- however, the medical center said the soldier was relying on a breathing machine after his surgery.

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WNU Editor: They removed 5 bullets from him, and the doctor's believe that he has two more in his body. He is expected to live. Wow .... aside from the fact that this is one tough guy, but he really wanted to defect knowing the danger that he was putting himself through.

More News On The North Korean Soldier Who Defected To South Korea At The DMZ Yesterday

Escaped North Korean soldier fights for life after being shot crossing DMZ -- Washington Post
Defecting North Korean soldier critical after escape in hail of bullets -- Reuters
Seoul: N. Koreans fired 40 shots at defector, hit him with 5 -- AP
North Korean Defector Evaded Hail of Bullets to Reach Safety in 'Movie-Like' Escape -- Newsweek
North Korean troops shot 40 times at defector in border dash -- CBS News
N. Korean soldier drove car before defecting to S. Korea: UNC -- Yonhap News Agency
North Korean Defector Had to Run After Issue With Jeep's Wheel -- Newser

North Korean Soldier Shot And Wounded While Defecting To South Korea

The Guardian: Soldier shot by North Korean guards as he defects to South

Fleeing soldier is shot and injured by his own troops – but successfully escapes across the heavily armed border

A North Korean soldier has been shot and injured during a rare but successful attempt to defect to South Korea by escaping across the countries’ heavily armed border.

The unarmed soldier was shot by North Korean guards on Monday afternoon as he made a bid for the South via the joint security area, a section of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) where guards from either side stand just metres away from each other.

The 2.5-mile wide, 155-mile-long strip of land has divided the peninsula since the Korean war ended in 1953 with an armistice but not a peace treaty.

Read more ....

More News On A North Korean Soldier Being Shot And Wounded While Defecting To South Korea

North Korean soldier, shot and wounded, defects to South -- Reuters
Seoul: N. Koreans fire at soldier trying to defect to South -- AP
N. Korean soldier shot while defecting to S. Korea -- AFP
North Korea soldier shot while defecting at DMZ to South -- BBC
North Korean troops SHOOT and wound a fellow soldier as he crosses the border to defect to the South -- Daily Mail/AFP
North Korean soldier is shot while defecting across DMZ, South says -- FOX News
North Korean soldier shot in escape attempt across DMZ -- UPI
North Korean soldier shot trying to defect to South -- DW
South Korea: North Korea Wounds Soldier as He Defects -- VOA
South and North Korean soldiers avoid exchanging fire in tense defector incident at DMZ -- Asia Times

President Trump Will Visit A Military Base Over The DMZ When He Is In South Korea

President Barack Obama is briefed by Lt. Col. Ed Taylor as he views the DMZ from Observation Post Ouellette at Camp Bonifas, Republic of Korea, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Newsweek: Trump Won't Visit DMZ On Asia Trip Because It's Becoming "Cliche"

President Donald Trump will reportedly be skipping the infamous demilitarized zone between North and South Korea during his Asia tour next month — because it's "cliche."

A White House official confirmed Tuesday that Trump won't make the DMZ part of his 11-day tour, flouting a visit that has been a tradition for past presidents. He will instead visit Camp Humphreys, a military base about 40 miles south of the South Korean capital, Seoul. Trump is so far only the second commander-in-chief in three decades who hasn't gone to the zone.

Trump's team decided the DMZ visit is "becoming a bit of a cliche, frankly," a White House official told a Washington Post reporter, explaining the decision.

Read more ....

More News On President Trump Will Be Visiting A Military Base Over The DMZ When He Is In South Korea

Trump Chooses Visit to Military Base Over DMZ -- US News and World Report/AP
Trump will not visit DMZ during Asia trip: official -- Reuters
White House says Trump will not visit DMZ -- CNN
US president will not visit demilitarised zone on trip -- Independent.ie
Trump Not Planning to Visit DMZ During South Korea Trip -- Bloomberg

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis Visits orth Korea's DMZ

CNN: US Defense Secretary James Mattis at Korean DMZ: 'Our goal is not war'

(CNN)Standing yards away from North Korea, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Friday that the US and South Korea were committed to a "diplomatic solution" to address the country's "reckless behavior."

Mattis spoke during a visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides North and South Korea, which came after Pyongyang this week renewed its threat to test a nuclear weapon above ground.

"North Korean provocations continue to threaten regional and world peace and despite unanimous condemnation by the United Nations' Security Council they still proceed," Mattis said.

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Update #1: Pentagon Chief Jim Mattis Visits the DMZ, Accuses North Korea of Threatening 'Catastrophe' (Time/AP)
Update #2: Mattis Visit to DMZ Highlights the North Korean Threat to Seoul (NYT)

WNU Editor: The South Korean media are strangely focused on this report .... Both Mr. Mattis and Mr. Song appeared in somber dark suits despite reports in the South Korean news media that Mr. Song had wanted them to wear their old military uniforms. Mr. Mattis “wouldn’t do that,” said Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon press spokesman accompanying the defense secretary. Captain Davis said he could not confirm whether Mr. Song actually made the suggestion, but he added that Mr. Mattis, a retired Marine general, was aware that defense secretary was a civilian post.

White House: President Trump Will Not Visit The DMZ During His Asian Trip

US President Donald Trump will be in South Korea in early November, as part of a five-nation Asia visit set to be dominated by concerns about North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs

Washington Post: Trump likely won’t visit Korean demilitarized zone during Asia trip, White House says

President Trump is likely not to visit the Korean demilitarized zone during his 12-day trip to Asia next month, a White House official said Monday.

Trump plans instead to speak to U.S. and South Korean troops at Camp Humphreys, about 55 miles south of Seoul, at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in, the official said.

Since Ronald Reagan, every American president except George H.W. Bush has visited the DMZ, the heavily guarded strip of land that has divided North and South Korea for 64 years. The Trump administration had been divided over whether to send Trump to the DMZ amid concerns from the Moon administration and the State Department that such a visit could further inflame tensions with Pyongyang.

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More News On Reports That President Trump Will Not Visit The DMZ During His Asian Trip

WH: Trump likely not to visit Korea’s DMZ during Asia trip -- AP
Trump may not visit Korea DMZ -- AFP
No plans for Trump to visit DMZ, White House official says -- Politico

Rare Look Inside Korea's Demilitarised zone (Video)

WNU editor: The above video is from two years ago, but it is still relevant.

President Trump May Visit The DMZ Between North And South Korea Next Month

The view from the North Korean side of the DMZ. CNN

Reuters: Trump may visit DMZ between North and South Korea: Yonhap

SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump may travel to the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea when he visits South Korea next month, the South’s Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday, citing a defense source.

The White House sent an advance team of working-level officials in late September to check candidate sites for Trump’s “special activity” in South Korea, the source was quoted as saying.

Trump was expected to send a significant message to North Korea, either verbally or “kinetically”, during his first trip to the peninsula as U.S. commander-in-chief, the source said.

The truce village of Panmunjom and the observation post, both inside the DMZ, were among locations Trump was considering visiting, the source said.

Yonhap did not elaborate and the White House did not comment.

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WNU Editor: Every President goes to the DMZ .... I expect President Trump will do the same.

More News On Reports That President Trump May Visit The DMZ Between North And South Korea Next Month

Trumps mulls DMZ tour next month: source -- Yonhap News
Trump may visit demilitarized zone in South Korea to send a 'significant message' -- FOX News
Donald Trump may visit heavily armed border area between North and South Korea -- The Telegraph
Donald Trump 'could visit demilitarised zone' between North and South Korea -- The Independent
Donald Trump will Visit the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea -- Novinite
Donald Trump May Use North Korea Border Visit to Send Kim Jong Un a Message -- Newsweek

Former South Korean Guard Describes Life Along The DMZ

South Korean soldiers patrol along a barbed-wire fence, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) which separates the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul April 5, 2013. South Korea fired tens of artillery rounds towards North Korea on Thursday after the North fired a projectile towards a South Korean loudspeaker that had been blaring anti-Pyongyang broadcasts, the defense ministry in Seoul said. KIM HONG-JI/REUTERS

The Guardian: On patrol in the DMZ: North Korean landmines, biting winds and tin cans

As tensions on the peninsula escalate, a former South Korean guard describes life at one of the world’s most fortified borders. NK News reports

Of the 130,000 South Korean soldiers conscripted every year, only a handful will ever get to see their sworn enemies in the flesh. They are the ones stationed at the “demilitarised zone” that separates the two Koreas.

The area, commonly known as the DMZ, is one of the most fortified borders in the world – separating two counties that have technically been at war since 1953. It also a serves as a tourist attraction, visited by thousands of people a year.

Tensions along the border have been raised since two South Korean officers were gravely injured by a landmine last August. Seoul immediately blamed Pyongyang, who rejected the allegations but declared the country on a war footing.

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WNU Editor: I visited the DMZ about 25 years ago (or at least as close as I could come to the border). One word describes what it felt like .... "tense". I suspect that if I was to go there today .... nothing would have changed.

President Obama To Visit The Korean DMZ During The Nuclear Security Summit

Korea, DMZ

Obama To Visit Korean DMZ During Nuclear Security Summit -- Voice of America

U.S. officials have confirmed that President Barack Obama will visit the tense demilitarized zone between North and South Korea next week during a visit to Seoul.

White House officials say Obama will visit with American forces Sunday at the DMZ, making it his first event before a high-profile Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul.

In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the main points of the DMZ visit are to show support for the more than 28,000 U.S. troops serving in Korea and to stress the U.S. security alliance with South Korea.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama Visiting The Korean DMZ During The Nuclear Security Summit

Obama to Visit DMZ During Korean Trip -- US Department of Defense
Obama’s Korea visit to include DMZ trip -- Air Force Times
Obama to make first visit to Korean demilitarized zone -- CNN
Obama to visit demilitarised zone on Koreas' border -- BBC
Barack Obama to visit demilitarised zone between North and South Korea -- The Telegraph
Obama to visit DMZ between Koreas on Sunday -- AFP
Obama to make first visit to Korea’s demilitarized zone -- Washington Post
Obama to visit DMZ, raise pressure on North Korea -- Reuters
Obama plans weekend visit to Korean Demilitarized Zone -- FOX News/AP
U.S. Obama to Visit North Korean Demilitarized Zone -- RIA Novosti
Obama at DMZ: Boost troops, S. Korea ties -- UPI

Living In The Shadow Of Kim Jong-Il's Army

A North Korean warship is seen amongst fishing boats
near the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea. Photo AFP.

From AFP:

TONGILCHON, South Korea (AFP) — Cho Suk-Haan clambers into his tractor and fires up the engine to go to work in rice fields just a short distance away from the most heavily militarised border in the world.

On the other side of the last remaining Cold War frontier lurks North Korea's 1.1 million-strong army, equipped with hundreds of missiles, thousands of artillery pieces -- and engineers trying to perfect a nuclear bomb.

The residents of Tongilchon, just south of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas, are used to Kim Jong-Il's threats and brinkmanship, but still feel uneasy about the recent escalation in tensions.

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My Comment: The North Korean Army may be large, but their equipment is out of date. Unfortunately for the South Korean citizens, they will still be forced to face the brunt of any North Korean attack .... and this attack will be devastating for they are the target .... not the South Korean Military.