Peace Trail Routes along the Demilitarized Zone Opens Up in South Korea

Korean DMZ Peace Trail in the world’s most heavily fortified border. South Korean armed soldiers patrol near eace Trail in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Goseong, South Korea. Before the fratricidal Korean War (1950-53) the Korean Peninsula was divided between North and South. The military demarcation line in DMZ area.

Along the demilitarized zone of South Korea, peace trail routes have begun to open up in an order to shift the narrative of the region from a symbol of war to a site of reconciliation and tourism. It expanded border area tours to highlight the history of the peninsula, security environment and ecology. 

The trails were created in 2019 and these routes span from 10 border routes along Incheon, Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces. Specifically, in the Incheon city, the route is located in Ganghwado, then in Gangwon, the route goes through Inje, Hwacheon, Cheolwon, Yanggu and Goseong. In Gyeonggi Provionce, the route goes through Gimpo, Paju, Goyang, and Yeoncheon.

According to UPI, “Participants will be able to walk near military fences under the supervision of authorities, with routes managed to protect wildlife and ensure safety. Professional guides, including local residents, will accompany visitors and provide historical context.” 

“All routes are guided, with trained interpreters — often local residents — accompanying visitors to explain the historical and geographical significance of each site. Operations are also adjusted to protect wildlife habitats and ensure participant safety,” The Korea Herald reports.

Routes will be open from April 17 to Nov. 30 but operations will be temporarily suspended from July to August due to the summer heat. The U.N. Command led by the U.S. said this will not include changes to the range border trials open to the public.

Routes will be open from April 17 to Nov. 30 but operations will be temporarily suspended from July to August due to the summer heat. The U.N. Command led by the U.S. said this will not include changes to the range border trials open to the public.

Military demarcation line in DMZ area divides South from North in 38th Parallel on the Korean Peninsula

Along the hiking trails, hikers can see rare wildlife as the DMZ has been a refuge for 6,000 different species of plants and animals. It has warm wetlands, being an important wintering ground for birds flying from northeastern China, Siberia and Russia along the Central Asian Flyway, which are important migration routes for birds in Eurasia.

In Cheorwon, there can be flocks of 100 to 500 endangered or vulnerable white-naped and red-crowned cranes. Glimpses of water deer, leopard cats, endangered Amur leopards, mountain goats and musk can be seen in the fields. 

The head of the DMZ Ecology Research Institute Kim Seung-Ho has been studying the flora and fauna in that restricted area for 20 years and has founded the Institute in 2004 for the South Korea government to protect and utilize the abundant wildlife in the DMZ.

But there have been challenges securing cooperation between the North and South due to the conflict. 

Since the administration of former President Moon Jae-In had launched these routes, they were open until former President Yoon Suk-Yeol had closed the routes in April 2024 due to security concerns. 

The DMZ is a heavily fortified border with landmines, barbed wire and massive military presence on both sides and is about 250 kilometers long and four kilometers wide. 

It was separated after the Korean War from 1950-53 ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. It was supposed to be built to reduce tensions between the DPRK and ROK but it has become a center for conflict between them.